Genomic expression discovery predicts pathways and opposing functions behind phenotypes

Abstract

Discovering states of genetic expression that are true to a high degree of certainty is likely to predict gene function behind biological phenotypes. The states of expression (up- or down-regulated) of 19,200 cDNAs in 10 meningiomas are compared with normal brain by an algorithm that detects only 1 false measurement per 192,000; 364 genes are discovered. The expression data accurately predict activation of signaling pathways and link gene function to specific phenotypes. Meningiomas appear to acquire aberrant phenotypes by disturbing the balanced expression of molecules that promote opposing functions. The findings expose interconnected genes and propose a role of genomic expression discovery in functional genomics of living systems.