High-throughput SELEX determination of DNA sequences bound by transcription factors in vitro

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:786:51-63. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-292-2_3.

Abstract

SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) was created 20 years ago as a method to enrich small populations of bound DNAs from a random sequence pool by PCR amplification. It provides a powerful way to determine the in vitro binding specificities of DNA-binding proteins such as transcription factors. Here, we present a robust version of the SELEX protocol for high-throughput analysis. Protein-bound beads prepared from insoluble recombinant 6× HIS-tagged transcription factor protein are used in a simple pull-down assay. To allow efficient determination of the enriched DNA sequences, bound oligonucleotides are concatenated, allowing approximately 1,000 oligonucleotides to be sequenced from one 96-well format plate. Successive rounds of SELEX data are statistically useful for understanding the full range of moderate affinity and high-affinity binding sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / genetics*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA