Larade, K.F. and
Storey, K.B. 2008. Methods for identification and characterization of novel genes expressed
under conditions of environmental stress. In: Environmental
Genomics (Martin, C.C., ed.). Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 410, pp.
55-80. Humana Press,
Methods for Identification and Characterization of Novel Genes Expressed
Under Conditions of Environmental Stress
Kevin Larade and Kenneth B. Storey
Abstract
Many
organisms provide excellent models for studying disease states or for exploring
the molecular adaptations that allow cells and organisms to cope with or
survive different stresses. The construction of a cDNA
library and subsequent screening for genes of interest allows researchers to
select for genes that are likely to play key roles in the regulation or
response to the condition or stress of interest, those that may not be
expressed (or exist) in other systems. Determination of the open reading
frame(s) of novel genes, and extensive analysis of the proteins they encode,
can open up new avenues of research and promote intelligent design of
downstream projects.