RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a powerful technology used to study transcriptomes, providing insights into gene expression levels. However, raw RNA-Seq data requires normalization to account for sequencing depth and gene length, enabling accurate comparisons between genes and samples. Among the most widely used normalization methods are TPM (Transcripts Per Million), FPKM (Fragments Per Kilobase Million), and CPM (Counts Per Million). Each method has its unique principles and applications, which we’ll explore in this blog.
Normalization is a crucial step in RNA-Seq analysis for the following reasons:
Sequencing depth: Different RNA-Seq experiments produce varying numbers of reads, making direct comparisons between samples misleading.
Gene length: Longer genes inherently generate more reads, irrespective of their actual expression level.
Bias reduction: Normalization mitigates technical biases, enabling meaningful biological interpretation.
TPM measures the proportion of reads mapped to a transcript, normalized by transcript length and sequencing depth. It is calculated as:
Proportionality: TPM values sum to 1,000,000 across all transcripts in a sample, making it easier to compare between samples.
Intuitive interpretation: TPM values directly represent the abundance of transcripts in a sample.
Preferred for comparisons: TPM facilitates between-sample comparisons better than FPKM.
FPKM normalizes read counts by transcript length and sequencing depth, but without enforcing proportionality like TPM. It is defined as:
Historical significance: FPKM was one of the first normalization methods used for RNA-Seq.
Single-end vs. paired-end: In paired-end sequencing, FPKM becomes RPKM (Reads Per Kilobase Million).
Limited utility: FPKM values are not as robust as TPM for cross-sample comparisons due to lack of proportionality.
CPM normalizes raw read counts by sequencing depth, without considering gene length. It is expressed as:
Simplicity: CPM is straightforward and computationally less intensive.
Application: Suitable for non-length-dependent analyses, such as comparing total expression levels or differential expression analysis.
Gene length agnostic: CPM does not correct for gene length, making it less ideal for measuring expression levels.
TPM: Best for comparing expression levels between samples, especially when transcript length and sequencing depth vary.
FPKM: Useful for historical consistency but generally replaced by TPM.
CPM: Ideal for differential expression analysis when gene length normalization is unnecessary.
Choosing the right normalization method depends on the specific objectives of your RNA-Seq analysis. TPM’s proportionality and robustness make it the preferred choice for most applications, while CPM serves well for differential expression studies. Although FPKM paved the way for RNA-Seq normalization, it has largely been supplanted by TPM in modern workflows. Understanding these methods and their nuances ensures accurate and meaningful interpretations of RNA-Seq data.
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Trapnell, C., et al. (2010). Transcript assembly and quantification by RNA-Seq reveals unannotated transcripts and isoform switching during cell differentiation. Nature Biotechnology.
Law, C. W., et al. (2014). voom: precision weights unlock linear model analysis tools for RNA-seq read counts. Genome Biology.
