Genome-wide transcriptional analysis in S. cerevisiae by mini-array membrane hybridization

Access to the powerful micro-array analytical methods used for genome-wide transcriptional analysis has so far been restricted by the high cost and/or lack of availability of the sophisticated instrumentation and materials needed to perform it. Mini-array membrane hybridization provides a less expensive alternative. The reliability of this technique, however, is not well documented and its reported use has, up to this point, been very limited. Our objective was to test whether or not mini-array membrane hybridization would reliably identify genes whose expression was controlled by a specific set of genetic and/or physiological signals. Our results demonstrate that mini-array hybridization can correctly identify genes whose expression is known to be controlled by the GATA-factor regulatory network in S. cerevisiae and in addition can reliably identify genes not previously reported to be associated with this nitrogen control system.