Generation of a specific marker to discriminate Gacillus anthracis from other bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group

Bacillus anthracis is a soil pathogen capable of causing anthrax that is closely related to several environmental species, including B. cereus, B. mycoides, and B. thuringiensis. DNA homology studies showed that B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. mycoides, and B. thuringiensis are closely related, with a high sequence homology. To establish a method to specifically detect B. anthracis in situations such as environmental contamination, we initially performed RAPD-PCR with a 10-mer random primer and confirmed the presence of specific PCR bands only in B. anthracis species. One region specific for B. anthracis was cloned and sequenced, and an internal primer set was designed to amplify a 241-bp DNA fragment within the sequenced region. The PCR system involving these specific primer sets has practical applications. Using lyses methods to prepare the samples for PCR, it was possible to quickly amplify the 241-bp DNA segment from samples containing only a few bacteria. Thus, the PCR detection method developed in this study is expected to facilitate the monitoring of environmental B. anthracis contamination.     

Detection of Bacillus anthracis from spores and cells by loop-mediated isothermal amplification without sample preparation

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a technique capable of rapidly amplifying specific nucleic acid sequences without specialized thermal cycling equipment. In addition, several detection methods that include dye fluorescence, gel electrophoresis, turbidity and colorimetric change, can be used to measure or otherwise detect target amplification. To date, publications have described the requirement for some form of sample nucleic acid extraction (boiling, lysis, DNA purification, etc.) prior to initiating a LAMP reaction. We demonstrate here, the first LAMP positive results obtained from vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus anthracis without nucleic acid extraction. Our data show that the simple addition of cells or spores to the reaction mixture, followed by heating at 63°C is all that is required to reproducibly amplify and detect target plasmid and chromosomal DNA via colorimetric change. The use of three primer sets targeting both plasmids and the chromosome of B. anthracis allows for the rapid discrimination of non-pathogenic bacteria from pathogenic bacteria within 30 min of sampling. Our results indicate that direct testing of B. anthracis spores and cells via LAMP assay will greatly simplify and shorten the detection process by eliminating nucleic acid purification. These results may allow more rapid detection of DNA from pathogenic organisms present in field and environmental samples.     

A novel assay for allelic discrimination that combines the fluorogenic 5' nuclease polymerase chain reaction (TaqMan) and mismatch amplification mutation assay

Recently much attention has been focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within fundamentally important genes, such as those involved in metabolism, cell growth regulation, and other disease-associated genes. Methodologies for discriminating different alleles need to be specific (robust detection of an altered sequence in the presence of wild-type DNA) and preferably, amenable to high throughput screening. We have combined the fluorogenic 5' nuclease polymerase chain reaction (TaqMan) and the mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) to form a novel assay, TaqMAMA, that can quickly and specifically detect single base changes in genomic DNA. TaqMan chemistry utilizes fluorescence detection during PCR to precisely measure the starting template concentration, while the MAMA assay exploits mismatched bases between the PCR primers and the wild-type template to selectively amplify specific mutant or polymorphic sequences. By combining these assays, the amplification of the mutant DNA can be readily detected by fluorescence in a single PCR reaction in 2 hours. Using the human TK6 cell line and specific HPRT-mutant clones as a model system, we have optimized the TaqMAMA technique to discriminate between mutant and wild-type DNA. Here we demonstrate that appropriately designed MAMA primer pairs preferentially amplify mutant genomic DNA even in the presence of a 1,000-fold excess of wild-type DNA. The ability to selectively amplify DNAs with single nucleotide changes, or the specific amplification of a low copy number mutant DNA in a 1,000-fold excess of wild-type DNA, is certain to be a valuable technique for applications such as allelic discrimination, detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms or gene isoforms, and for assessing hotspot mutations in tumor-associated genes from biopsies contaminated with normal tissue.     

Mass spectrometry provides accurate characterization of two genetic marker types in Bacillus anthracis

Epidemiological and forensic analyses of bioterrorism events involving Bacillus anthracis could be improved if both variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be combined on a single analysis platform. Here we present the use of electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) to characterize 24 alleles from 6 VNTR loci and 11 alleles from 7 SNP loci in B. anthracis. The results obtained with ESI-FTICR-MS were consistent with independent results obtained from traditional approaches using electrophoretic detection of fluorescent products. However, ESI-FTICR-MS improves on the traditional approaches because it does not require fluorescent labeling of PCR products, minimizes post-PCR processing, obviates electrophoresis, and provides unambiguous base composition of both SNP and VNTR PCR products. In addition, ESI-FTICR-MS allows both marker types to be examined simultaneously and at a rate of approximately 1 sample per min. This technology represents a significant advance in our ability to rapidly characterize B. anthracis isolates using VNTR and SNP loci.     

Strategy for identification of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis strains closely related to Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus cereus strains that are genetically closely related to B. anthracis can display anthrax-like virulence traits (A. R. Hoffmaster et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101:8449-8454, 2004). Hence, approaches that rapidly identify these "near neighbors" are of great interest for the study of B. anthracis virulence mechanisms, as well as to prevent the use of such strains for B. anthracis-based bioweapon development. Here, a strategy is proposed for the identification of near neighbors of B. anthracis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS) containing tRNA genes, characteristic of B. anthracis. By using restriction site insertion-PCR (RSI-PCR) the presence of two SNP typical of B. anthracis was screened in 126 B. cereus group strains of different origin. Two B. cereus strains and one B. thuringiensis strain showed RSI-PCR profiles identical to that of B. anthracis. The sequencing of the entire ITS containing tRNA genes revealed two of the strains to be identical to B. anthracis. The strict relationship with B. anthracis was confirmed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of four other independent loci: cerA, plcR, AC-390, and SG-749. The relationship to B. anthracis of the three strains described by MLST was comparable and even higher to that of four B. cereus strains associated with periodontitis in humans and previously reported as the closest known strains to B. anthracis. SNP in ITS containing tRNA genes combined with RSI-PCR provide a very efficient tool for the identification of strains closely related to B. anthracis.     

Antibody-based systems for the detection of Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples

There is a necessity for rapid immunodiagnostic techniques for the detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis in environmental specimens. The technology available for accomplishing this ranges in complexity from a simple dipstick type assay to complex biosensors. We have developed antigen capture dipstick assays for a series of infectious agents including an assay for B. anthracis protective antigen and one for B. anthracis spores. These immunochromatographic assays use colloidal gold to visualize the reaction and take approximately 15 min to perform. We will also describe our current effort in the development of two antigen detection biosensors and discuss the sensitivity and specificity of the assays in environmental specimens.     

A simple and reliable assay for detecting specific nucleotide sequences in plants using optical thin-film biosensor chips

Here we report the adaptation and optimization of an efficient, accurate and inexpensive assay that employs custom-designed silicon-based optical thin-film biosensor chips to detect unique transgenes in genetically modified (GM) crops and SNP markers in model plant genomes. Briefly, aldehyde-attached sequence-specific single-stranded oligonucleotide probes are arrayed and covalently attached to a hydrazine-derivatized biosensor chip surface. Unique DNA sequences (or genes) are detected by hybridizing biotinylated PCR amplicons of the DNA sequences to probes on the chip surface. In the SNP assay, target sequences (PCR amplicons) are hybridized in the presence of a mixture of biotinylated detector probes and a thermostable DNA ligase. Only perfect matches between the probe and target sequences, but not those with even a single nucleotide mismatch, can be covalently fixed on the chip surface. In both cases, the presence of specific target sequences is signified by a color change on the chip surface (gold to blue/purple) after brief incubation with an anti-biotin IgG horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to generate a precipitable product from an HRP substrate. Highly sensitive and accurate identification of PCR targets can be completed within 30 min. This assay is extremely robust, exhibits high sensitivity and specificity, and is flexible from low to high throughput and very economical. This technology can be customized for any nucleotide sequence-based identification assay and widely applied in crop breeding, trait mapping, and other work requiring positive detection of specific nucleotide sequences.     

DNA-probes for the highly sensitive identification of single nucleotide polymorphism using single-molecule spectroscopy

This article presents a new, highly sensitive method for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in homogeneous solutions using fluorescently labeled hairpin-structured oligonucleotides (smart probes) and fluorescence single-molecule spectroscopy. While the hairpin probe is closed, fluorescence intensity is quenched due to close contact between the chromophore and several guanosine residues. Upon hybridization to the respective target SNP sequence, contact is lost and the fluorescence intensity increases significantly. High specificity is achieved by blocking sequences containing mismatch with unlabeled oligonucleotides. Time-resolved single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy enables the detection of individual smart probes passing a small detection volume. This method leads to a subnanomolar sensitivity for this single nucleotide specific DNA assay technique.     

Conversion of barley SNPs into PCR-based markers using dCAPS method

Molecular genetic research relies heavily on the ability to detect polymorphisms in DNA. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most frequent form of DNA variation in the genome. In combination with a PCR assay, the corresponding SNP can be analyzed as a derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) marker. The dCAPS method exploits the well-known specificity of a restriction endonuclease for its recognition site and can be used to virtually detect any SNP. Here, we describe the use of the dCAPS method for detecting single-nucleotide changes by means of a barley EST, CK569932, PCR-based marker.     

Determination of the most closely related bacillus isolates to Bacillus anthracis by multilocus sequence typing

There have been many efforts to develop Bacillus anthracis detection assays, but the problem of false-positive results has often been encountered. Therefore, to validate an assay for B. anthracis detection, it is critical to examine its specificity with the most closely related Bacillus isolates that are available. To define the most closely related Bacillus isolates to B. anthracis in our Bacillus collections, we analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) the phylogeny of 77 closely related Bacillus isolates selected from 264 Bacillus isolates. The selection includes all the Bacillus isolates that have been shown in our previous studies to produce false-positive results by some anthrax-detection assays. The MLST phylogenetic analyses revealed that 27 of the non-B. anthracis isolates clustered within the B. anthracis clade, and four of them (three sequence types, STs) had the highest degree of genetic relatedness with B. anthracis, 18 (11 STs) had the second highest, and five (five STs) had the third highest. We anticipate that the inclusion of the 19 ST isolates when analyzing B. anthracis detection assays will prove to be useful for screening for their specificity to detect B. anthracis.     

Utilization of the rpoB gene as a specific chromosomal marker for real-time PCR detection of Bacillus anthracis

The potential use of Bacillus anthracis as a weapon of mass destruction poses a threat to humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife and necessitates the need for a rapid and highly specific detection assay. We have developed a real-time PCR-based assay for the specific detection of B. anthracis by taking advantage of the unique nucleotide sequence of the B. anthracis rpoB gene. Variable region 1 of the rpoB gene was sequenced from 36 Bacillus strains, including 16 B. anthracis strains and 20 other related bacilli, and four nucleotides specific for B. anthracis were identified. PCR primers were selected so that two B. anthracis-specific nucleotides were at their 3' ends, whereas the remaining bases were specific to the probe region. This format permitted the PCR reactions to be performed on a LightCycler via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The assay was found to be specific for 144 B. anthracis strains from different geographical locations and did not cross-react with other related bacilli (175 strains), with the exception of one strain. The PCR assay can be performed on isolated DNA as well as crude vegetative cell lysates in less than 1 h. Therefore, the rpoB-FRET assay could be used as a new chromosomal marker for rapid detection of B. anthracis.     

Gamma irradiation can be used to inactivate Bacillus anthracis spores without compromising the sensitivity of diagnostic assays

The use of Bacillus anthracis as a biological weapon in 2001 heightened awareness of the need for validated methods for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores. This study determined the gamma irradiation dose for inactivating virulent B. anthracis spores in suspension and its effects on real-time PCR and antigen detection assays. Strains representing eight genetic groups of B. anthracis were exposed to gamma radiation, and it was found that subjecting spores at a concentration of 10(7) CFU/ml to a dose of 2.5 x 10(6) rads resulted in a 6-log-unit reduction of spore viability. TaqMan real-time PCR analysis of untreated versus irradiated Ames strain (K1694) spores showed that treatment significantly enhanced the detection of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA targets but had no significant effect on the ability to detect targets on the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids of B. anthracis. When analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), irradiation affected the detection of B. anthracis spores in a direct ELISA but had no effect on the limit of detection in a sandwich ELISA. The results of this study showed that gamma irradiation-inactivated spores can be tested by real-time PCR or sandwich ELISA without decreasing the sensitivity of either type of assay. Furthermore, the results suggest that clinical and public health laboratories which test specimens for B. anthracis could potentially incorporate gamma irradiation into sample processing protocols without compromising the sensitivity of the B. anthracis assays.     

Testing the feasibility of DNA typing for human identification by PCR and an oligonucleotide ligation assay.

The use of DNA typing in human genome analysis is increasing and finding widespread application in the area of forensic and paternity testing. In this report, we explore the feasibility of typing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using a semiautomated method for analyzing human DNA samples. In this approach, PCR is used to amplify segments of human DNA containing a common SNP. Allelic nucleotides in the amplified product are then typed by a colorimetric implementation of the oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA). The results of the combined assay, PCR/OLA, are read directly by a spectrophotometer; the absorbances are compiled; and the genotypes are automatically determined. A panel of 20 markers has been developed for DNA typing and has been tested using a sample panel from the CEPH pedigrees (CEPH parents). The results of this typing, as well as the potential to apply this method to larger populations, are discussed.     

Characterization of genomic single nucleotide polymorphism via colorimetric detection using a single gold nanoprobe

Identification of specific nucleic acid sequences mediated by gold nanoparticles derivatized thiol-modified oligonucleotides (Au–nanoprobes) has been proven to be a useful tool in molecular diagnostics. Here, we demonstrate that, on optimization, detection may be simplified via the use of a single Au–nanoprobe to detect a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in homo- or heterozygote condition. We validated this non-cross-linking approach through the analysis of 20 clinical samples using a single specific Au–nanoprobe for an SNP in the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) gene against direct DNA sequencing. Sensitivity, specificity, and limit of detection (LOD) were determined, and statistical differences were calculated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a post hoc Tukey’s test to ascertain whether there were any differences between Au–nanoprobe genotyped groups. For the first time, we show that the use of a single Au–nanoprobe can detect SNP for each genetic status (wild type, heterozygous, or mutant) with high degrees of sensitivity (87.50%) and specificity (91.67%).     

DNA probe functionalized QCM biosensor based on gold nanoparticle amplification for Bacillus anthracis detection

The rapid detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax disease, has gained much attention since the anthrax spore bioterrorism attacks in the United States in 2001. In this work, a DNA probe functionalized quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor was developed to detect B. anthracis based on the recognition of its specific DNA sequences, i.e., the 168 bp fragment of the Ba813 gene in chromosomes and the 340 bp fragment of the pag gene in plasmid pXO1. A thiol DNA probe was immobilized onto the QCM gold surface through self-assembly via Au-S bond formation to hybridize with the target ss-DNA sequence obtained by asymmetric PCR. Hybridization between the target DNA and the DNA probe resulted in an increase in mass and a decrease in the resonance frequency of the QCM biosensor. Moreover, to amplify the signal, a thiol-DNA fragment complementary to the other end of the target DNA was functionalized with gold nanoparticles. The results indicate that the DNA probe functionalized QCM biosensor could specifically recognize the target DNA fragment of B. anthracis from that of its closest species, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, and that the limit of detection (LOD) reached 3.5 × 10(2)CFU/ml of B. anthracis vegetative cells just after asymmetric PCR amplification, but without culture enrichment. The DNA probe functionalized QCM biosensor demonstrated stable, pollution-free, real-time sensing, and could find application in the rapid detection of B. anthracis.     

Flow cytometric platform for high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism analysis

We have developed a rapid, cost-effective, high-throughput readout for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using flow cytometric analysis performed on a Luminex 100 flow cytometer. This robust technique employs a PCR-derived target DNA containing the SNP, a synthetic SNP-complementary ZipCode-bearing capture probe, a fluorescent reporter molecule, and a thermophilic DNA polymerase. An array of fluorescent microspheres, covalently coupled with complementary ZipCode sequences (cZipCodes), was hybridized to the reaction products and sequestered them for flow cytometric analysis. The single base chain extension (SBCE) reaction was used to assay 20 multiplexed SNPs for 633 patients in 96-well format. Comparison of the microsphere-based SBCE assay results to gel-based oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) results showed 99.3% agreement in genotype assignments. Substitution of direct-labeled R6G dideoxynucleotide with indirect-labeled phycoerythrin dideoxynucleotide enhanced signal five- to tenfold while maintaining low noise levels. A new assay based on allele-specific primer extension (ASPE) was validated on a set of 15 multiplexed SNPs for 96 patients. ASPE offers both the advantage of streamlining the SNP analysis protocol and the ability to perform multiplex SNP analysis on any mixture of allelic variants.     

Pyrene-functionalized 2'-amino-alpha-L-LNA as potential diagnostic probes

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ONs) containing two incorporations of 2'-N-(pyren-1-yl)acetyl-2'-amino-alpha-L-LNA monomer Y are sensitive probes for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in DNA. In addition, the ability of ONs containing pyrene-functionalized 2'-amino-alpha-L-LNA monomers (W-Z) to stabilize duplexes with an abasic site is demonstrated.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism detection by combinatorial fluorescence energy transfer tags and biotinylated dideoxynucleotides

Combinatorial fluorescence energy transfer (CFET) tags, constructed by exploiting energy transfer and combinatorial synthesis, allow multiple biological targets to be analyzed simultaneously. We here describe a multiplex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay based on single base extension (SBE) using CFET tags and biotinylated dideoxynucleotides (biotin-ddNTPs). A library of CFET-labeled oligonucleotide primers was mixed with biotin-ddNTPs, DNA polymerase and the DNA templates containing the SNPs in a single tube. The nucleotide at the 3′-end of each CFET-labeled oligonucleotide primer was complementary to a particular SNP in the template. Only the CFET-labeled primer that is fully complementary to the DNA template was extended by DNA polymerase with a biotin-ddNTP. We isolated the DNA extension fragments that carry a biotin at the 3′-end by capture with streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, while the unextended primers were eliminated. The biotinylated fluorescent DNA fragments were subsequently analyzed in a multicolor fluorescence electrophoresis system. The distinct fluorescence signature and electrophoretic mobility of each DNA extension product in the electropherogram coded the SNPs without the use of a sizing standard. We simultaneously distinguished six nucleotide variations in synthetic DNA templates and a PCR product from the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene. The use of CFET-labeled primers and biotin-ddNTPs coupled with the specificity of DNA polymerase in SBE offered a multiplex method for detecting SNPs.     

Estimation of single nucleotide polymorphism allele frequency in DNA pools by using Pyrosequencing

Positional cloning of genes underlying complex diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), typically follows a two-tiered process in which a chromosomal region is first identified by genome-wide linkage scanning, followed by association analyses using densely spaced single nucleotide polymorphic markers to identify the causal variant(s). The success of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection has resulted in a vast number of potential markers available for use in the construction of such dense SNP maps. However, the cost of genotyping large numbers of SNPs in appropriately sized samples is nearly prohibitive. We have explored pooled DNA genotyping as a means of identifying differences in allele frequency between pools of individuals with T2DM and unaffected controls by using Pyrosequencing technology. We found that allele frequencies in pooled DNA were strongly correlated with those in individuals (r=0.99, P<0.0001) across a wide range of allele frequencies (0.02-0.50). We further investigated the sensitivity of this method to detect allele frequency differences between contrived pools, also over a wide range of allele frequencies. We found that Pyrosequencing was able to detect an allele frequency difference of less than 2% between pools, indicating that this method may be sensitive enough for use in association studies involving complex diseases where a small difference in allele frequency between cases and controls is expected.