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Computerized Comparisons of 2D Gel Patterns Using SameSpots

2D-ES-10: COMPUTERIZED COMPARISONS OF 2D GEL PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENCES.   This analysis includes laser scanning and computerized analysis with SameSpots software from Non-Linear Dynamics. Requires prior 2D electrophoresis but free duplicate gels are run and analyzed to confirm differences for samples scheduled for computerized comparisons. Generally 400-800 spots are quantified per Standard Format gel; 800-1200 spots are quantified per Large Format gel. Spot density values are expressed as spot percentages (individual spot density as a percentage of total density in all spots analyzed) to normalize for differences in sample loading or staining. Results are presented in a complete report including a summary table showing spot number, pI, MW, ratios (fold difference) and p values as a second measure of difference. The final report also includes figures of images showing numbering, montage images for every differing protein spot, methods and pH gradient plot. A CD containing data and image files is included in the package. Note that our reports focus on protein differences between samples. Picking protein spots later for identification by mass spectrometry is straightforward. Just send us a list of spot numbers and we'll take it from there.
Price: 2D-ES-10: Standard Format: duplicate gels analyzed and averaged per sample. Per comparison, $475. Large Format: 2D-ES-10LF: duplicate gels analyzed and averaged per sample. Per comparison, $525.

What is included in our 2D gel written report and what is on the CD?  We don’t include all the spot data in the written reports because it makes them difficult to read. For example, spot numbers become so numerous that they obscure spot outlines on the figures. However, data for all polypeptide spots analyzed, including unchanging ones, is always included in an Excel table on the CD.
The standard written report consists of a cover page, followed by a master table showing the spot #, isoelectric point, molecular weight and spot % (spot density above background as a percent of all spots measured) for changing protein spots along with the fold difference between the samples, and p value for the difference. Anova values are included upon request. The table is followed by figures of gel images showing the spot positions and then a spot montage figure for each changing spot. The montage shows closeup views of spot shape and outline for every gel in the set. In addition to clearly showing significant changes between 2D gel patterns, our reports allow our Lab Manager to easily find the proteins for subsequent spot cutting for mass spectrometry.  A CD containing: the report file, copies of the jpg images used in the report, optional electronic photos (tif and jpg color images) as well as an Excel file giving all spot data, accompanies each report. 
Report Example

How does SameSpots software work? The 2D gel images are first aligned to exactly match using an alignment module of the software. The Analyst then chooses an image as reference for automatic alignment and inserts localized seed matches at various points for each pair. The computer screen, shown below, provides four views of the zoomed matched area that help the analyst decide when the image alignments are perfect.

Figure 1. SameSpots computer screen during alignment of 2D gel images.

Next the aligned images are imported into the SameSpots module of the software where polypeptide spots are detected automatically on a single reference image and carefully hand corrected on one image. Identical spot outlines are then propagated to all the images. The Analyst goes through each image and checks to make sure the outlines are accurately placed. He/she goes back and realigns areas as necessary and redraws outlines if required. The alignment step is much less time-consuming than correcting spot outlines on every image. Every spot is identical on every gel facilitating statistical analyses such as Anova and Student’s t-test. Once the Analyst is satisfied, a report is generated and then checked by QA personnel before going out to the client.

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Examples from SameSpots:  Figures 2-4 show expanded results for three polypeptide spots (dark spot, MW 61,000; medium spot, MW 300,000; and light spot, MW 15,000) from 2D gel images analyzed by SameSpots (SS) software. To obtain these figures, the same test sample (rat liver cytosol dissolved in SDS buffer) was run in triplicate at 200, 400 and 600 ug loads on nine large format 2D gels according to standard procedures. The Coomassie stained gels were scanned with a calibrated laser densitometer; 60 polypeptide spots on every image were analyzed by SS after manual outlining of a single image. See our Method Validation PowerPoint for a complete report including the 60 spots.

The three examples are laid out to show spot outlines in montage view (top) along with plots of spot volume vs ug loaded (bottom). Note that results for clients are usually reported in spot percentages (spot density taken as a percentage of the total density of all spots analyzed) because it corrects for any differences in loading and staining. The plots of spot volume versus ug protein loaded give straight lines, confirming that the multi-step procedures of 2D electrophoresis and Coomassie blue staining give quantitative results. 


SameSpots outline

Figure 2: SS analysis results for a dark polypeptide spot of MW 60,800, pI 5.4.  The top section shows spot outlines in montage view on 9 gels loaded with 200, 400 and 600 ug protein in triplicate. The bottom section shows a plot of spot integrated density above background versus ug loaded on gel.


SameSpots outline

Figure 3. SameSpots analysis results for a high molecular weight polypeptide spot 300,000, pI 5.7.  The top section shows spot outlines in montage view on 9 gels loaded with 200, 400 and 600 ug protein in triplicate. The bottom section shows a plot of average spot integrated density above background versus ug loaded on gel.

 


SameSpots outline

Figure 4: SameSpots analysis results for a faint polypeptide spot of MW 14,800, pI 5.7.  The top section shows spot outlines in montage view on 9 gels loaded with 200, 400 and 600 ug protein in triplicate. The bottom section shows a plot of average spot integrated density above background versus ug loaded on gel.

SameSpots Cutoff for Differences: To reiterate, for SameSpots software, spot outlines are automatically generated for all the images except the first, which is corrected by hand. The SS method has the consequence that when proteins disappear or have lower abundance in one sample, the outlines are drawn as large as the largest spot in the series on all the images. Since background subtraction is not perfect, a value always comes up for the low or missing spot. Automatic statistical calculations, generated by SS are used to find protein spot differences between samples. Two main criteria are used: fold change and p value. All spots that differ between the various groups with >1.7 fold change with a p-value of 0.05 or less are reported in the table after a visual check of the montage image for artifacts. Manual checks are performed for any additional spots with a p value <0.0009 regardless of the fold change, and any spots with a 3-fold or grater ratio regardless of the p-value.

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                                                                                         02/04/2013