Comparison of SYTO9 and SYBR Green I for real-time polymerase chain reaction and investigation of the effect of dye concentration on amplification and DNA melting curve analysis

Following the initial report of the use of SYBR Green I for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1997, little attention has been given to the development of alternative intercalating dyes for this application. This is surprising considering the reported limitations of SYBR Green I, which include limited dye stability, dye-dependent PCR inhibition, and selective detection of amplicons during DNA melting curve analysis of multiplex PCRs. We have tested an alternative to SYBR Green I and report the first detailed evaluation of the intercalating dye SYTO9. Our findings demonstrate that SYTO9 produces highly reproducible DNA melting curves over a broader range of dye concentrations than does SYBR Green I, is far less inhibitory to PCR than SYBR Green I, and does not appear to selectively detect particular amplicons. The low inhibition and high melting curve reproducibility of SYTO9 means that it can be readily incorporated into a conventional PCR at a broad range of concentrations, allowing closed tube analysis by DNA melting curve analysis. These features simplify the use of intercalating dyes in real-time PCR and the improved reproducibility of DNA melting curve analysis will make SYTO9 useful in a diagnostic context.     

RTPrimerDB: the real-time PCR primer and probe database

The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology has become increasingly popular for nucleic acids detection and/or quantification. As primer/probe design and experimental evaluation is time-consuming, we developed a public database application for the storage and retrieval of validated real-time PCR primer and probe sequence records. The integrity and accuracy of the data are maintained by linking to and querying other reference databases. RTPrimerDB provides free public access through the Web to perform queries and submit user based information. Primer/probe records can be searched for by official gene symbol, nucleotide sequence, type of application, detection chemistry, LocusLink or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) identifier, and submitter's name. Each record is directly linked to LocusLink, dbSNP and/or PubMed to retrieve additional information on the gene/SNP for which the primers/probes are designed. Currently, the database contains primer/probe records for human, mouse, rat, fruit fly and zebrafish, and all current detection chemistries such as intercalating dyes (SYBR Green I), hydrolysis probes (Taqman), adjacent hybridizations probes and molecular beacons. Real-time PCR primer/probe records are available at http://www.realtimeprimerdatabase.ht.st.     

Rapid detection and differentiation of the major mycoplasma contaminants in cell cultures using real-time PCR with SYBR Green I and melting curve analysis

A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure followed by melting curve analysis, using the green fluorescence dye SYBR Green I, was developed for rapid detection and differentiation of mycoplasma contaminants in cell cultures. This method showed that the detection of the target sequence was linear over a range from 10(4) to 10 colony-forming units (CFU) of the mycoplasma cells. Analysis of the melting temperature of the PCR products allowed differentiation of the major mycoplasma contaminants. These results demonstrate that the protocol described in the present study can decrease the time to obtain reproducible results by simultaneous detection and differentiation of the Mycoplasma species contaminating cell cultures.     

A Broadly Reactive One-Step SYBR Green I Real-Time RT-PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Murine Norovirus

A one-step SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR assay was developed for the detection and quantification of a broad range of murine noroviruses (MNVs). The primer design was based on the multiple sequence alignments of 101 sequences of the open reading frame (ORF)1−ORF2 junction of MNV. The broad reactivity and quantitative capacity of the assay were validated using 7 MNV plasmids. The assay was completed within 1 h, and the reliable detection limit was 10 copies of MNV plasmid or 0.063 median tissue culture infective doses per milliliter of RAW264 cell culture-propagated viruses. The diagnostic performance of the assay was evaluated using 158 mouse fecal samples, 91 of which were confirmed to be positive. The melting curve analysis demonstrated the diversity of MNV in the samples. This is the first report of a broadly reactive one-step SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR assay for detecting of MNVs. The rapid and sensitive performance of this assay makes it a powerful tool for diagnostic applications.     

Multiplex locked nucleic acid probes for analysis of hepatitis B virus mutants using real-time PCR

Current methods of detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations are time consuming, labor intensive, and not suitable for screening large numbers of samples. A multiplex real-time PCR approach presented in this article is a hepatitis B virus quantification method that employs the SYBR Green I dye in conjunction with wild-type HBV sequence-specific locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes. The three short LNA probes distinguished the wild-type strain or three groups of mutants (rt173, rt180/rt181, and rt202/rt204) depending on perfect-match hybrids or mismatch within one template simultaneously. Primers labeled with quencher minimized the background signals. This sensitive approach could quantify 10(2) copies of HBV virus, and as low as 1% mutants among 10(4) copies of wild-type HBV could be identified. The technique is handy and convenient, requiring only 3.5 h to analyze 30 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive serum samples. The HBV isolates were confirmed by direct sequencing. Our data indicate that real-time PCR with SYBR Green I dye is a reliable, rapid, and convenient technique for HBV quantification. Furthermore, by incorporating fluorescent LNA probes, this technique becomes handy in identifying and classifying mutations in the HBV polymerase gene. Being sensitive, specific, accurate, rapid, and convenient in nature, this technique could be a suitable diagnostic tool with wide application particularly in cases in which large volumes of clinical samples are handled.     

粪便中肠球菌SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

目的利用SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法,建立肠球菌实时荧光PCR检测方法,并初步应用于粪便中肠球菌的检测。方法根据GenBank发表的肠球菌23S rRNA基因序列的保守区域设计合成特异性的引物;利用构建的质粒标准品绘制两种标准曲线,构建基因拷贝数、细菌数为分析指标的定量分析模型并初步应用于粪便标本的检测分析。结果所建立的SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法检测灵敏度可达7个拷贝数/reaction。粪便样本根据实时荧光定量PCR方法所得的理论数值与培养菌值之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。非炎性腹泻标本中菌数与健康成人标本中菌数差异无显著性(P>0.05)。灵敏度曲线所得的数值大于菌数标准曲线,可能由于DNA提取过程中存在部分的损失。检测粪便标本结果显示SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法较平板计数法敏感、快捷、简便。结论本研究建立了一种灵敏、特异、简便易行的肠球菌定量检测方法。     

Comparison of multiple DNA dyes for real-time PCR: effects of dye concentration and sequence composition on DNA amplification and melting temperature

The importance of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has increased steadily in clinical applications over the last decade. Many applications utilize SYBR Green I dye to follow the accumulation of amplicons in real time. SYBR Green I has, however, a number of limitations that include the inhibition of PCR, preferential binding to GC-rich sequences and effects on melting curve analysis. Although a few alternative dyes without some of these limitations have been recently proposed, no large-scale investigation into the properties of intercalating dyes has been performed. In this study, we investigate 15 different intercalating DNA dyes for their inhibitory effects on PCR, effects on DNA melting temperature and possible preferential binding to GC-rich sequences. Our results demonstrated that in contrast to the results of SYBR Green I, two intercalating dyes SYTO-13 and SYTO-82 do not inhibit PCR, show no preferential binding to GC rich sequences and do not influence melting temperature, T_m, even at high concentrations. In addition, SYTO-82 demonstrated a 50-fold lower detection limit in a dilution series assay. In conclusion, the properties of SYTO-82 and SYTO-13 will simplify the development of multiplex assays and increase the sensitivity of real-time PCR.     

Detection of the Escherichia coli pathogenic gene eae with three real-time polymerase chain reaction methods

Several real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are currently available to rapidly detect the presence of a specific DNA sequence. When used for detection of pathogenic organisms, the turnaround time for PCR-based methods is much lower than for traditional culture techniques. This study compared the sensitivity of three real-time PCR methods when detecting the Escherichia coli pathogenic gene eae to determine which method is most effective in identifying very low levels of the organism. The three methods were used to detect the eae gene over a range of DNA concentrations. The differences in sensitivity were statistically significant (p<0.05), and SYBR Green I PCR was found to have the lowest detection limit of the three; LUX primers had the highest detection limit. Therefore, using a defined DNA concentration for detecting the eae gene, SYBR Green I is the best alternative.     

Efficient species identification of pine marten (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Martes martes</Emphasis>) and red fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) scats using a 5′ nuclease real-time PCR assay

Monitoring wildlife species by DNA identification of samples collected non-invasively is an important tool in conservation management. DNA identification of species from faecal (scat) samples is problematic due to the small quantities and poor quality of the DNA isolated from such samples. This study demonstrates the use of real-time PCR technology in the identification of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and pine marten (Martes martes). It is shown that real-time PCR can be used to identify fox and pine marten by either melting curve analysis (Tm determination) with SYBR Green 1 detection or by the use of species specific fluorogenic probes. The technique is shown to work efficiently with scat DNA.     

Comparison of different approaches to quantify Staphylococcus aureus cells by real-time quantitative PCR and application of this technique for examination of cheese.

Two different real-time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) approaches were applied for PCR-based quantification of Staphylococcus aureus cells by targeting the thermonuclease (nuc) gene. Purified DNA extracts from pure cultures of S. aureus were quantified in a LightCycler system using SYBR Green I. Quantification proved to be less sensitive (60 nuc gene copies/microl) than using a fluorigenic TaqMan probe (6 nuc gene copies/microl). Comparison of the LightCycler system and the well-established ABI Prism 7700 SDS with TaqMan probes revealed no statistically significant differences with respect to sensitivity and reproducibility. Application of the RTQ-PCR assay to quantify S. aureus cells in artificially contaminated cheeses of different types achieved sensitivities from 1.5 x 10(2) to 6.4 x 10(2) copies of the nuc gene/2 g, depending on the cheese matrix. The coefficients of correlation between log CFU and nuc gene copy numbers ranged from 0.979 to 0.998, thus enabling calculation of the number of CFU of S. aureus in cheese by performing RTQ-PCR.     

Species-specific real-time PCR cell number quantification of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii

A species-specific method to detect and quantify Planktothrix agardhii was developed by combining the SYBR Green I real-time polymerase chain reaction technique with a simplified DNA extraction procedure for standard curve preparation. Newly designed PCR primers were used to amplify a specific fragment within the rpoC1 gene. Since this gene exists in single copy in the genome, it allows the direct achievement of cell concentrations. The cell concentration determined by real-time PCR showed a linear correlation with the cell concentration determined from direct microscopic counts. The detection limit for cell quantification of the method was 8?cells?μL(-1), corresponding to 32 cells per reaction. Furthermore, the real-time qPCR method described in this study allowed a successful quantification of P. agardhii from environmental water samples, showing that this protocol is an accurate and economic tool for a rapid absolute quantification of the potentially toxic cyanobacterium P. agardhii.     

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detection chemistries affect enumeration of the Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene in groundwater

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) commonly uses the fluorogenic 5′ nuclease (TaqMan) and SYBR Green I (SG) detection chemistries to enumerate biomarker genes. Dehalococcoides (Dhc) are keystone bacteria for the detoxification of chlorinated ethenes, and the Dhc 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene serves as a biomarker for monitoring reductive dechlorination in contaminated aquifers. qPCR enumeration of Dhc biomarker genes using the TaqMan or SG approach with the same primer set yielded linear calibration curves over a seven orders of magnitude range with similar amplification efficiencies. The TaqMan assay discriminates specific from nonspecific amplification observed at low template concentrations with the SG assay, and had a 10-fold lower limit of detection of ~3 copies per assay. When applied to Dhc pure cultures and Dhc-containing consortia, both detection methods enumerated Dhc biomarker genes with differences not exceeding 3-fold. Greater variability was observed with groundwater samples, and the SG chemistry produced false-positive results or yielded up to 6-fold higher biomarker gene abundances compared to the TaqMan method. In most cases, the apparent error associated with SG detection resulted from quantification of nonspecific amplification products and was more pronounced with groundwater samples that had low biomarker concentrations or contained PCR inhibitors. Correction of the apparent error using post-amplification melting curve analysis produced 2 to 21-fold lower abundance estimates; however, gel electrophoretic analysis of amplicons demonstrated that melting curve analysis was insufficient to recognize all nonspecific amplification. Upon exclusion of nonspecific amplification products identified by combined melting curve and electrophoretic amplicon analyses, the SG method produced false-negative results compared to the TaqMan method. To achieve sensitive and accurate quantification of Dhc biomarker genes in environmental samples (e.g., groundwater) and avoid erroneous conclusions, the analysis should rely on TaqMan detection chemistry, unless additional analyses validate the results obtained with the SG approach.     

Quantitative PCR for glucose transporter and tristetraprolin family gene expression in cultured mouse adipocytes and macrophages

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) such as TaqMan and SYBR Green qPCR are widely used for gene expression analysis. The drawbacks of SYBR Green assay are that the dye binds to any double-stranded DNA which can generate false-positive signals and that the length of the amplicon affects the intensity of the amplification. Previous results demonstrate that TaqMan assay is more sensitive but generates lower calculated expression levels than SYBR Green assay in quantifying seven mRNAs in tung tree tissues. The objective of this study is to expand the analysis using animal cells. We compared both qPCR assays for quantifying 24 mRNAs including those coding for glucose transporter (Glut) and mRNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that SYBR Green and TaqMan qPCR were reliable for quantitative gene expression in animal cells. This result was supported by validation analysis of Glut and TTP family gene expression. However, SYBR Green qPCR overestimated the expression levels in most of the genes tested. Finally, both qPCR instruments (Bio-Rad’s CFX96 real-time system and Applied Biosystems’ Prism 7700 real-time PCR instrument) generated similar gene expression profiles in the mouse cells. These results support the conclusion that both qPCR assays (TaqMan and SYBR Green qPCR) and both qPCR instruments (Bio-Rad’s CFX96 real-time system and Applied Biosystems’ Prism 7700 real-time PCR instrument) are reliable for quantitative gene expression analyses in animal cells but SYBR Green qPCR generally overestimates gene expression levels than TaqMan qPCR.     

SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量RT-PCR检测埃博拉病毒方法的建立

为了建立一种快速准确的检测埃博拉病毒(EBOV)亚型的方法。本研究根据GenBank中公布的EBOV NP基因序列,通过设计引物和优化反应条件,建立了一种SYBR GreenⅠ荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法检测EBOV。以体外转录的EBOV RNA为模板进行试验,该方法检测的灵敏度可以达到1.0×102个拷贝/μL,检测范围达到9个数量级为102～1010,可检测5种亚型EBOV。建立的方法对马尔堡病毒(MARV)、登革病毒(DENV)、新疆出血热病毒(XHFV)、乙型脑炎病毒(JEV)、流感病毒(H1N1和H3N2)和猪繁殖和呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)E基因组RNA无非特异性扩增。本文将荧光定量RT-PCR技术用于埃博拉病毒的定量检测中,并且建立了EBOV SYBRGreenⅠ荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法。     

SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量RT-PCR测定肠道病毒71型（EV71）RNA拷贝数方法的建立

目的建立SYBR GreenⅠ荧光染料实时定量RT-PCR方法,测定实验动物等来源的EV71病毒RNA。方法运用EV71VP1保守区引物,优化real time RT-PCR条件,运用NASBA方法扩增EV71病毒RNA,计算拷贝数,经10倍系列稀释做出标准曲线,作为EV71病毒RNA定量检测的外标准品。结果应用Qiagen公司QuantiTect SYBR Green RT-PCR Kit,该标准品可精确定量到100copies/μL,PCR扩增效率达到99.5%。结论 SYBRGreenⅠ荧光染料实时定量PCR法测定EV71病毒RNA拷贝数的方法敏感性高、稳定性好,可用于EV71病毒RNA载量的定量测定。     

SYBR Green I and TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction methods for the determination of amplification of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance-1 gene (pfmdr1)

The pfmdr1 gene, which encodes P-glycoprotein homolog 1, has been shown to be a reliable marker of resistance for Plasmodium falciparum related to artesunate and mefloquine combination therapy. The aims of this study are to investigate the copy number of pfmdr1 in P. falciparum isolates collected from the 4 malaria-endemic areas of Thailand (Kanchanaburi, Mae Hongson, Ranong, and Tak) along the Thailand-Myanmar (Burma) border (Thai-Myanmar border) by using SYBR Green I and the standard method TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and to compare the efficiency (sensitivity and specificity) of SYBR Green I with TaqMan RT-quantitative (q)PCR methods in determining pfmdr1 gene copy number. Ninety-six blood samples were collected onto filter paper from patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria who attended malaria clinics in the Kanchanaburi (n = 45), Mae Hongson (n = 18), Ranong (n = 11), and Tak (n = 22) provinces in Thailand. Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from dried blood spots by using QIAcube? automated sample preparation. Pfmdr1 gene copy number was determined by TaqMan (63 samples) and SYBR Green I (96 samples) real-time PCR. Seventy-one (74.0%), 14 (14.6%), 10 (10.4%), and 1 (1%) isolates carried 1, 2, 3, and 4 pfmdr1 gene copies, respectively. Forty-three of 48 (89.6%), 6 of 11 (54.5%), and 3 of 4 (75.0%) samples, respectively, showed agreement with results of 1, 2, and 3 pfmdr1 gene copies as determined by both methods. The efficiency of SYBR Green I in identifying pfmdr1 gene copy number was found to be significantly correlated with that of TaqMan. Considering its simplicity and relatively low cost, SYBR Green I RT-qPCR is therefore a promising alternative technique for the determination of pfmdr1 copy number.     

Quantitative real-time PCR using TaqMan and SYBR Green for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, tetQ gene and total bacteria

Accurate quantification of bacterial species in dental plaque is needed for microbiological diagnosis of periodontal diseases. The present study was designed to assess the sensitivity, specificity and quantitativity of the real-time PCR using the GeneAmp Sequence Detection System with two fluorescence chemistries. TaqMan probe with reporter and quencher dye, and SYBR Green dye were used for sources of the fluorescence. Primers and probes were designed for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and total bacteria based on the nucleotide sequences of the respective 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Since spread of antibiotic resistance genes is one of the crucial problems in periodontal therapy, quantitative detection of tetQ gene, which confers resistance to tetracycline, was included in the examination. The detection of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and A. actinomycetemcomitans was linear over a range of 10-10(7) cells (10-10(7) copies for tetQ gene), while the quantitative range for total bacteria was 10(2)-10(7) cells. Species-specific amplifications were observed for the three periodontal bacteria, and there was no significant difference between the TaqMan and SYBR Green chemistry in their specificity, quantitativity and sensitivity. The SYBR Green assay, which was simpler than TaqMan assay in its manipulations, was applied to the clinical plaque samples. The plaque samples were obtained from eight patients (eight periodontal pockets) before and 1 week after the local drug delivery of minocycline. Although the number of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and A. actinomycetemcomitans markedly decreased after the antibiotic therapy in most cases, higher copy numbers of the tetQ gene were detectable. The real-time PCR demonstrated sufficient sensitivity, specificity and quantitativity to be a powerful tool for microbiological examination in periodontal disease, and the quantitative monitoring of antibiotic resistance gene accompanied with the antibiotic therapy should be included in the examination.