10X Genomics Single Cell 3' (v3) RNA sequencing is a microdroplet-based method that permits the effective capture and sequencing of the mRNA and pre-mRNA molecules from single nuclei [1]. RNA molecules are transcribed and processed within the nucleus before exporting to ER for translation into proteins. As such, nuclear RNA is a mixture of nascent transcripts, partially or fully processed mRNA, and various non-coding RNA molecules. The total RNA content within the nucleus is roughly 10% of the RNA content in a whole cell, but has been found to accurately represent whole cell expression values in adult human tissues [2,3] including the kidney [4]. 10x Genomics Single Cell ATAC sequencing is a microdroplet-based method that allows for the effective capture, sequencing and profiling of accessible chromatin in single nuclei. Chromatin accessibility is a major determinant of gene regulation, defining the transcriptional regulatory networks that determine cellular identity and function as well as additional biological processes (e.g., differentiation, proliferation, development and responses to the extracellular environment). The 10X Multiome ATAC + Gene Expression assay permits capture of both RNA expression and epigenomic profiles from the same nuclei for a deeper understanding of cell type or state gene regulation. Here we present a modified version of the published 10X protocol [5] that we have adapted for the processing of nuclei isolated from adult human organs or tissues (e.g. kidney).
Nuclei can be readily isolated from frozen tissues with a combination of chemical and physical treatments that can effectively circumvent the non-uniform or incomplete dissociation of solid tissues into single cells, as well as RNA degradation or artefacts (such as stress response) during dissociation. This 10X Multiome ATAC + Gene Expression protocol permits the generation of a molecular atlas of a human organ or tissue with comprehensive cell types and minimal processing artifacts.
1. Chromium Single Cell 3' Reagent Kits v3 User Guide (Rev A) CG000183, support.10xgenomics.com.
2. Lake et al. (2016). Science, doi:10.1126/science.aaf1204.
3. Lake et al. (2018). Nature Biotechnology, doi:10.1038/nbt.4038.
4. Lake et al. (2019). Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/s41467-019-10861-2.