CHIRP-Seq Service for lncRNA and circRNA Binding Analysis Across the Genome

CD Genomics offers CHIRP-Seq (Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification sequencing) to map the genome-wide interactions of lncRNAs and circRNAs. Our service supports the entire workflow, from chirp-seq protocol optimisation to sequencing and chirp seq analysis, enabling researchers to uncover complex RNA-DNA interactions and RNA-RNA interactions.

We help solve key challenges in non-coding RNA research:

  • Difficulty in identifying reliable RNA binding sites across the genome
  • Poor reproducibility in existing RNA-interaction assays
  • Limited integration of sequencing with downstream bioinformatics
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CHIRP-Seq workflow schematic showing RNA probe hybridization, magnetic bead capture, separation, and sequencing analysis of RNA-DNA interactions.
  • Genome-wide mapping of RNA-DNA interactions
  • Integrated RNA-RNA interaction profiling
  • High-specificity CHIRP-seq protocol and analysis
  • Expert-supported chirp sequencing solutions
Introduction Principle Advantages Service Packages Workflow Sample Requirements Deliverables Case Study Inquiry

Introduction

Non-coding RNAs represent more than 80% of the human transcriptome, yet their molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Deciphering the roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs requires precise mapping of their interaction partners at the chromatin level. Traditional methods often lack resolution or reproducibility, leaving researchers with incomplete pictures of RNA regulatory networks.

CHIRP-Seq (Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification sequencing) directly addresses this challenge. By capturing RNA molecules and their associated DNA and RNA partners in situ, CHIRP-Seq enables researchers to study RNA-DNA interactions and RNA-RNA interactions across the entire genome. This provides essential insights into transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodelling, and the functional biology of non-coding RNAs.

Principle of CHIRP-Seq

CHIRP-Seq (Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification sequencing) is based on the selective capture of target lncRNAs or circRNAs using biotin-labelled antisense probes. The probes are designed every ~100 nucleotides along the RNA sequence, providing full coverage. To ensure specificity, probe sets are divided into odd and even groups, and only overlapping enrichment signals are considered true binding sites.

After formaldehyde crosslinking, cells are lysed and probes hybridise with the endogenous RNA of interest. Streptavidin-coated magnetic beads then pull down RNA–DNA–protein complexes. Under stringent washing conditions, non-specific interactions are removed. The complexes are separated, with DNA purified for high-throughput sequencing and proteins analysed in parallel via LC-MS/MS (CHIRP-MS).

This workflow allows researchers to:

  • Map RNA-DNA interactions across the genome
  • Detect RNA-RNA interactions involving lncRNAs or circRNAs
  • Identify RNA-associated proteins when combined with CHIRP-MS

In essence, CHIRP-Seq reveals where non-coding RNAs localise on chromatin and how they regulate transcriptional processes.

Principle of CHIRP-Seq schematic showing probe design, RNA hybridisation, magnetic bead pull-down, and sequencing analysis.

Why Choose CHIRP-Seq – Advantage

High Specificity with Odd/Even Probe Design

CHIRP-Seq uses biotin-labelled probes divided into odd and even groups. Only overlapping enrichment signals are counted as true binding sites, which significantly reduces background noise and ensures reproducibility.

Broad Applicability for lncRNAs and circRNAs

Unlike methods that require structural information, CHIRP-Seq can be applied to any lncRNA or circRNA sequence. This makes it highly flexible for projects targeting newly discovered or poorly characterised non-coding RNAs.

Multi-Omics Integration

Our platform supports CHIRP-Seq for RNA-DNA mapping and CHIRP-MS for RNA-protein profiling. By combining sequencing and proteomics, researchers gain a complete view of RNA-mediated regulatory networks.

Comprehensive Bioinformatics Support

CD Genomics delivers end-to-end chirp seq analysis, including binding site detection, functional annotation, GO/Pathway enrichment, and visualisation in genome browsers. This integrated pipeline transforms sequencing data into interpretable biological insights.

Strict Quality Control

Every experiment is run with positive and negative controls to confirm probe performance and enrichment reliability. This ensures that results are both accurate and publication-ready.

Comparison chart of CHIRP-Seq vs traditional RNA interaction methods showing higher specificity, genome-wide coverage, reproducibility, and multi-omics integration.

Service Packages

CD Genomics offers flexible CHIRP-based service packages to meet diverse research needs. Each package can be ordered individually or combined for comprehensive RNA interaction analysis.

Package Description Applications
CHIRP-Seq Genome-wide sequencing of DNA fragments associated with target lncRNA/circRNA. Mapping RNA-DNA interactions, studying transcriptional regulation, chromatin binding sites.
ChIRP-MS Mass spectrometry profiling of proteins pulled down with target RNA. Identifying RNA-binding proteins, building RNA-protein interactomes.
CHIRP-qPCR Quantitative PCR validation of RNA-DNA binding at selected genomic regions. Confirming specific RNA-DNA interactions detected in sequencing.
CHIRP-WB Western blot validation of RNA-protein interactions. Confirming specific RNA-protein interactions identified by CHIRP-MS.

Custom solutions: Combined CHIRP-Seq + CHIRP-MS packages are available for integrated RNA-DNA-protein network analysis.

CHIRP-Seq workflow

CHIRP-Seq workflow schematic showing cell crosslinking, RNA probe hybridisation, magnetic bead pull-down, separation of RNA-binding proteins and DNA, sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis.

Sample Requirements

To ensure high-quality and reproducible results, CD Genomics recommends the following requirements for CHIRP-Seq projects:

⚠️ Samples that do not meet these specifications may compromise hybridisation efficiency and downstream sequencing quality.

Deliverables & Demo

CHIRP-Seq enriched DNA region list showing genomic coordinates, peak classification, and gene symbols.Demo result: CHIRP-Seq specific enriched DNA regions with peak annotation and gene symbols.

CHIRP-Seq KEGG pathway demo highlighting enriched modules.Demo result: KEGG pathway schematic highlighting enriched modules identified from CHIRP-Seq peaks.

CHIRP-Seq GO enrichment bar chart for biological process, cellular component, and molecular function.Demo result: GO enrichment of genes near CHIRP-Seq binding sites across BP, CC, and MF.

CHIRP-Seq DNA binding site visualization showing genomic signal peaks across target regions.Demo result: CHIRP-Seq genome browser-style visualization of DNA binding sites.

With every CHIRP-Seq project, CD Genomics provides:

  • Genome-wide RNA-DNA binding site lists with peak annotations
  • RNA-RNA interaction profiles for target lncRNA/circRNA
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis reports
  • High-resolution visualisation files (genome browser tracks, network graphs)
  • Protein interactome datasets (if CHIRP-MS selected)
  • Publication-ready figures and summary analysis reports
  • Raw and processed sequencing data (FASTQ, BAM, peak files)

Citation: Chu, C., Zhang, Q.C., da Rocha, S.T., Flynn, R.A., Bharadwaj, M., Calabrese, J.M., Magnuson, T., Heard, E., & Chang, H.Y. (2015). Systematic Discovery of Xist RNA Binding Proteins. Cell, 161(2): 404–416

Case Study

Xist is a long non-coding RNA that initiates X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female mammals. While its central role was well recognized, the complete set of protein partners and chromatin binding sites associated with Xist remained undefined. Chu et al. aimed to systematically map the Xist interactome using CHIRP-based approaches.

  • Designed biotinylated antisense tiling probes covering the full Xist RNA.
  • Performed formaldehyde crosslinking in intact cells followed by lysis.
  • Captured RNA–protein–DNA complexes with streptavidin magnetic beads.
  • Applied CHIRP-MS to identify RNA-binding proteins and CHIRP-Seq to profile associated DNA regions.

Identified 81 Xist-binding proteins, including chromatin regulators, nuclear matrix proteins, and RNA processing factors.

Revealed a two-set assembly of proteins: a core module recruited from pluripotency and a second set added during differentiation (Figure 4: heatmap of developmental binding patterns).

CHIRP-MS heatmap of Xist-binding proteins during cell differentiation. Figure 4 – Heatmap of Xist-binding proteins across pluripotent and differentiated states.

Demonstrated that HnrnpK is essential for Xist-mediated silencing. Knockdown impaired repression of the Grb10 gene and reduced deposition of repressive histone modifications (Figure 5: Grb10 silencing; Figure 6: H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub loss).

Xist case study showing HnrnpK required for Grb10 silencing. Figure 5 – Functional analysis of HnrnpK in silencing the Grb10 gene.

Chromatin modification defects after HnrnpK knockdown in Xist pathway. Figure 6 – Loss of repressive histone modifications upon HnrnpK depletion.

Showed that the A-repeat region of Xist specifically recruits Spen, a critical silencing factor for establishing transcriptional repression (Figure 7: A-repeat mutant assays).

Xist A-repeat interaction with Spen in CHIRP-MS and functional assays. Figure 7 – Xist A-repeat recruits Spen; deletion disrupts silencing.

This landmark study established CHIRP-MS and CHIRP-Seq as complementary, powerful methods for decoding lncRNA interactomes. For Xist, the results demonstrated that:

  • Protein recruitment occurs in a modular and developmentally regulated manner.
  • HnrnpK promotes deposition of epigenetic silencing marks.
  • Spen is the key effector recruited by the Xist A-repeat for gene silencing.

Together, these findings advanced our mechanistic understanding of XCI and validated CHIRP-based technologies as standard tools for mapping RNA-protein-DNA networks.

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