Cell-specific transcriptional analysis in complex tissues

Abstract

Cell-type specific transcriptional analysis can yield important information about the role of a certain cell type in the context of its tissue microenvironment. Previous methods for isolating cell type-specific transcriptional data have included enzymatic or mechanical tissue dispersion followed by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and laser capture microdissection. However, these methods have important limitations. Transcriptome analysis by translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) allows the researcher to isolate translating mRNA from a genetically defined cell type. Discussed in this review are current methods for translating ribosome affinity purification, caveats of this method, and considerations for successfully completing these studies.