Dry reagent dipstick test combined with 23S rRNA PCR for molecular diagnosis of bacterial infection in arthroplasty

Periprosthetic joint infections present a challenging problem in orthopaedics. Conventional methods for detection of arthroplasty infections rely on bacterial culture of synovial fluid aspirates. During recent years, however, molecular tests that are based on DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by electrophoretic analysis of the products, have been introduced. We report a simple and inexpensive assay that allows visual detection and confirmation of the PCR-amplified sequences by hybridization within minutes. The assay is performed in a dry reagent dipstick format (strip) and does not require special instrumentation. Universal primers are used for PCR of the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The biotinylated amplification product is hybridized with dA-tailed probes that are specific for six pathogens commonly involved in periprosthetic joint infections. The mixture is applied to the strip, which is then immersed in the appropriate buffer. The buffer migrates along the strip by capillary action and rehydrates gold nanoparticles with oligo(dT) strands attached to their surface. The nanoparticles bind to the target DNA through hybridization, and the hybrids are captured by immobilized streptavidin at the test zone of the strip, producing a characteristic red line. Unbound nanoparticles are captured by immobilized oligo(dT) strands at the control zone of the strip, generating a second line. The dipstick test was applied to the detection of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faesium, and Haemophilus influenza. Twelve samples of synovial fluids from patients were analyzed for the detection and identification of the infection caused by the six pathogens. The results were compared with bacterial cultures.     

The Mcm467 complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is preferentially activated by autonomously replicating DNA sequences

We have analyzed the role of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the modulation of the ATPase activity of Mcm467 helicase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ATPase activity of the Mcm467 complex is modulated in a sequence-specific manner and that the ssDNA sequences derived from the origin of DNA replication of S. cerevisiae autonomously replicating sequence 1 (ARS1) are the most effective stimulators. Synthetic oligonucleotides, such as oligo(dA) and oligo(dT), also stimulated the ATPase activity of the Mcm467 complex, where oligo(dT) was more effective than oligo(dA). However, the preference of a thymidine stretch appeared unimportant, because with yeast ARS1 derived sequences, the A-rich strand was as effective in stimulating the ATPase activity, as was the T-rich strand. Both of these strands were more effective stimulators than either oligo(dA)( )()or oligo(dT). The DNA helicase activity of Mcm467 complex is also significantly stimulated by the ARS1-derived sequences. These results indicate that the ssDNA sequences containing A and B1 motifs of ARS1, activate the Mcm467 complex and stimulate its ATPase and DNA helicase activities. Our results also indicate that the yeast replication protein A stimulated the ATPase activity of the Mcm467 complex.     

Polynucleotide recognition by DNA alpha-polymerase.

In a survey of template-primer preference of a mouse myeloma DNA alpha-polymerase, the fastest rate of DNA synthesis was with poly(dT) as template and (rA)24 as primer. Such a preference for poly(dT).oligo(rA) was not observed with other DNA polymerases of mouse origin. DNA synthesis in this system resulted in formation of oligo(dA) chains, not template-length poly(dA); thus, the average enzyme molecule bound to a poly(dT).(rA)24 complex and initiated a new oligo(dA) chain many times during the incubation. Binding experiments revealed that the alpha-polymerase had high affinity for poly(dT). Although the alpha-polymerase did not bind to poly(dl) and failed to replicate it inreactions with a base pair complementary primer, poly(dl) was replicated after a (dT) block had been grafted to its 3'-end and the oligo(rA) primer had been added. In similar experiments, the (dT) block was found to be much more effective than other 3'-terminal blocks in promoting replication of denatured calf thymus DNA. The results indicate that specific base sequences may regulate initiation of DNA syntehsis by this alpha-polymerase.     

Factor D is a selective single-stranded oligodeoxythymidine binding protein.

Factor D, a protein purified from rabbit liver that selectively enhances traversal of template oligodeoxythymidine tracts by diverse DNA polymerases, was examined for the sequence specificity of its binding to DNA. Terminally [32P]-labeled oligomers with the sequence 5'-d[AATTC(N)16G]-3', N being dT, dA, dG, or dC, were interacted with purified factor D and examined for the formation of protein-DNA complexes that exhibit retarded electrophoretic mobility under nondenaturing conditions. Whereas significant binding of factor D to 5'-d[AATTC(T)16G]-3' is detected, there is no discernable association between this protein and oligomers that contain 16 contiguous moieties of dG, dA, or dC. Furthermore, factor D does not form detectable complexes with the duplexes oligo(dA).oligo(dT) or poly(dA).poly(dT). The preferential interaction of factor D with single-stranded poly(dT) is confirmed by experiments in which the polymerase-enhancing activity of this protein is protected by poly(dT) against heat inactivation two- and four-fold more efficiently than by poly(dA) or poly(dA).poly(dT), respectively.     

A Dictyostelium protein binds to distinct oligo(dA) x oligo(dT) DNA sequences in the C-module of the retrotransposable element DRE.

The genome of the eukaryotic microbe Dictyostelium discoideum contains some 200 copies of the nonlong-terminal repeat retrotransposon DRE. Among several unique features of this retroelement, DRE is transcribed in both directions leading to the formation of partially overlapping plus strand and minus strand RNAs. The synthesis of minus strand RNAs is controlled by the C-module, a 134-bp DNA sequence located at the 3'-end of DRE. A nuclear protein (CMBF) binds to the C-module via interaction with two almost homopolymeric 24 bp oligo(dA) x oligo(dT) sequences. The DNA-binding drugs distamycin and netropsin, which bind to A x T-rich DNA sequences in the minor groove, competed efficiently for the binding of CMBF to the C-module. The CMBF-encoding gene, cbfA, was isolated and a DNA-binding domain was mapped to a 25-kDa C-terminal region of the protein. A peptide motif involved in the binding of A x T-rich DNA by high mobility group-I proteins ('GRP' box) was identified in the deduced CMBF protein sequence, and exchange of a consensus arginine residue for alanine within the CMBF GRP box abolished the interaction of CMBF with the C-module. The current data support the theory that CMBF binds to the C-module by detecting its long-range DNA conformation and interacting with A x T base pairs in the minor groove of oligo(dA) x oligo(dT) stretches.     

Functionalization of PVC membrane with ss oligonucleotides for a potentiometric biosensor

A novel application of a single stranded (ss) oligonucleotide as an active component of polymeric membrane in an ion-selective electrode (ISE) is described. The original oligonucleotides, oligo(dA)(15), modified by cholesterol, triphenylmethyl and hexadecyl derivatives, were immobilized into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane using extraction protocol. In parallel, the adsorption protocol was used to immobilize unmodified oligo(dA)(15) on the PVC membrane based on tridodecylmethyammonium chloride (TDDMA(+)Cl(-)). Immobilization of ss oligonucleotide probe through spacer was more effective for the potentiometric detection of the hybridization between complementary oligonucleotides. It was found that cholesterol-oligo(dA)(15) modified membranes were sensitive toward complementary oligo(dT)(15) in the concentration range 2-80 nM at pH 7. An explanation for the detection mechanism is proposed.     

Introduction of antioxidant-loaded liposomes into endothelial cell surfaces through DNA hybridization

Ischemia–reperfusion damage is a problem in organ transplantation. Reactive oxygen species are produced in cells by blood-mediated reactions at the time of blood reperfusion. In this study, we developed a method to immobilize and internalize antioxidants in endothelial cells, using vitamin E-loaded liposomes. The liposomes loaded with vitamin E and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were modified with poly(ethylene glycol)–phospholipid conjugates carrying 20-mer of deoxyadenylic acid (oligo(dA)₂₀) and 20-mer of complementary deoxythymidylic acid (oligo(dT)₂₀), respectively. The liposomes were effectively immobilized on HUVECs through DNA hybridization between oligo(dA)₂₀ and oligo(dT)₂₀. The liposomes loaded with vitamin E were gradually internalized into HUVECs. Then, the cells were treated with antimycin A to induce oxidative stress. We found the amount of reactive oxygen species was greatly reduced in HUVECs carrying vitamin E-loaded liposomes.     

Distamycin paradoxically stimulates the copying of oligo(dA).poly(dT) by DNA polymerases

Distamycin A, a polypeptide antibiotic, binds to dA.dT-rich regions in the minor groove of B-DNA. By virtue of its nonintercalating binding, distamycin acts as a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of DNA both in vivo and in vitro. Here we report that distamycin paradoxically stimulates Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (pol I), its large (Klenow) fragment, and bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase to copy oligo(dA).poly(dT) in vitro. It is found that distamycin increases the maximum velocity (Vmax) of the extension of the oligo(dA) primer by pol I without affecting the Michaelis constant (Km) of the primer. Gel electrophoresis of the extended primer indicates that the antibiotic specifically increases the rate of addition of the first three dAMP residues. Lastly, in the presence of both distamycin and the oligo(dT)-binding protein factor D, which increases the processivity of pol I, a synergistic stimulation of polymerization is attained. Taken together, these results suggest that distamycin stimulates synthesis by increasing the rate of initiation of oligo(dA) extension. The stimulatory effect of distamycin is inversely related to the stability of the primer-template complex. Thus, maximum stimulation is exerted at elevated temperatures and with shorter oligo(dA) primers. That distamycin increases the thermal stability of [32P](dA)9.poly(dT) is directly demonstrated by electrophoretic separation of the hybrid from dissociated [32P](dA)9 primer. It is proposed that by binding to the short primer-template duplex, distamycin stabilizes the oligo(dA).poly(dT) complex and, therefore, increases the rate of productive initiations of synthesis at the primer terminus.     

Preferential, cooperative binding of DNA topoisomerase II to scaffold-associated regions.

DNA elements termed scaffold-associated regions (SARs) are AT-rich stretches of several hundred base pairs which are known to bind specifically to nuclear or metaphase scaffolds and are proposed to specify the base of chromatin loops. SARs contain sequences homologous to the DNA topoisomerase II cleavage consensus and this enzyme is known to be the major structural component of the mitotic chromosome scaffold. We find that purified topoisomerase II preferentially binds and aggregates SAR-containing DNA. This interaction is highly cooperative and, with increasing concentrations of topoisomerase II, the protein titrates quantitatively first SAR-containing DNA and then non-SAR DNA. About one topoisomerase II dimer is bound per 200 bp of DNA. SARs exhibit a Circe effect; they promote in cis topoisomerase II-mediated double-strand cleavage in SAR-containing DNA fragments. The AT-rich SARs contain several oligo(dA).oligo(dT) tracts which determine their protein-binding specificity. Distamycin, which is known to interact highly selectively with runs of A.T base pairs, abolishes the specific interaction of SARs with topoisomerase II, and the homopolymer oligo(dA).oligo(dT) is, above a critical length of 240 bp, a highly specific artificial SAR. These results support the notion of an involvement of SARs and topoisomerase II in chromosome structure.     

Mechanistic study of E. coli DNA topoisomerase I: cleavage of oligonucleotides.

E. coli DNA topoisomerase I catalyzes DNA topoisomerization by transiently breaking and rejoining single DNA strands (1). When an enzyme-DNA incubation mixture is treated with alkaline or detergent, DNA strand cleavage occurs, and the enzyme becomes covalently linked to the 5'-phosphoryl end of the cleaved DNA (2). Using oligonucleotides of defined length and sequence composition, this cleavage reaction is utilized to study the mechanism of E. coli DNA topoisomerase I. dA7 is the shortest oligonucleotide tested that can be cleaved by the enzyme. dT8 is the shortest oligo(dT) that can be cleaved. The site of cleavage in both cases is four nucleotides from the 3' end of the oligonucleotide. No cleavage can be observed for oligo(dC) and oligo(dG) of length up to eleven bases long. dC15 and dC16 are cleaved at one tenth or less the efficiency of oligo(dA) and oligo(dT) of comparable length.     

Studies on the activator 1 protein complex, an accessory factor for proliferating cell nuclear antigen-dependent DNA polymerase delta.

Activator 1 (A1) is a multiprotein complex which is essential for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-dependent DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) activity and efficient in vitro DNA synthesis in the SV40 dipolymerase replication system. In this report, we describe the isolation of A1 from HeLa cytosolic extracts. A1 stimulated pol delta activity in singly primed phi X174 DNA or (dA)4500.oligo(dT)12-18 in reactions containing PCNA, single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB), and ATP. Using this assay, A1 has been extensively purified. Purified preparations contained five discrete subunits of 145, 40, 38, 37, and 36.5 kDa. ATP hydrolysis to ADP and Pi is essential for A1-dependent pol delta activity, and we have shown that A1 contains an intrinsic ATPase which is stimulated by DNA. The DNA-dependent hydrolysis of ATP can be stimulated by PCNA and further activated by PCNA plus the human single-stranded DNA binding protein. These stimulatory effects were observed with (dA)4500.oligo(dT)12-18, but were not detected with each poly-deoxynucleotide alone. Furthermore, A1 formed a complex with (dA)4500.oligo(dT)12-18 which could be measured by nitrocellulose binding. No complex with (dA)4500 or oligo(dT)12-18 alone was detected by this procedure. Data are also presented which indicate that A1, in conjunction with PCNA, functions as a primer-recognition factor for pol delta, increasing its ability to utilize low levels of primer ends, but it does not increase the size of the DNA products. A1 also markedly reduced the amount of PCNA required for pol delta activity on a multiply primed DNA suggesting that PCNA interacts with A1 at the primer end. These multiple effects of A1 closely resemble the properties of the multisubunit protein RF-C described by Tsurimoto and Stillman (Tsurimoto, T., and Stillman, B. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 1023-1027).     

Binding of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 to ribosomal 40S subunits and its role in ribosomal dissociation and anti-association

The multisubunit eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 3 plays various roles in translation initiation that all involve interaction with 40S ribosomal subunits. eIF3 can be purified in two forms: with or without the loosely associated eIF3j subunit (eIF3j+ and eIF3j-, respectively). Although unlike eIF3j+, eIF3j- does not bind 40S subunits stably enough to withstand sucrose density gradient centrifugation, we found that in addition to the known stabilization of the eIF3/40S subunit interaction by the eIF2*GTP*Met-tRNA(i)Met ternary complex, eIF3j-/40S subunit complexes were also stabilized by single-stranded RNA or DNA cofactors that were at least 25 nt long and could be flanked by stable hairpins. Of all homopolymers, oligo(rU), oligo(dT), and oligo(dC) stimulated the eIF3/40S subunit interaction, whereas oligo(rA), oligo(rG), oligo(rC), oligo(dA), and oligo(dG) did not. Oligo(U) or oligo(dT) sequences interspersed by other bases also promoted this interaction. The ability of oligonucleotides to stimulate eIF3/40S subunit association correlated with their ability to bind to the 40S subunit, most likely to its mRNA-binding cleft. Although eIF3j+ could bind directly to 40S subunits, neither eIF3j- nor eIF3j+ alone was able to dissociate 80S ribosomes or protect 40S and 60S subunits from reassociation. Significantly, the dissociation/anti-association activities of both forms of eIF3 became apparent in the presence of either eIF2-ternary complexes or any oligonucleotide cofactor that promoted eIF3/40S subunit interaction. Ribosomal dissociation and anti-association activities of eIF3 were strongly enhanced by eIF1. The potential biological role of stimulation of eIF3/40S subunit interaction by an RNA cofactor in the absence of eIF2-ternary complex is discussed.