Advances in diagnosing tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus infection

As a result of the spread of TYLCV on tomato crops, reliable and rapid diagnostic tools to identify and isolate new sources of infection are necessary. We tested several methods, based both on antibodies and on nonradioactive DNA probes. Indirect plate-trapping ELISA was only effective in detecting the virus in purified preparations, but not in crude extracts. Dot-ELISA with chemiluminescence detection gave satisfactory results when young stems were directly squashed on membranes. A digoxigenin-labeled probe, detected with chemiluminescence, was used in leaf squashes and dot blots. Best results were obtained with dot blots of total nucleic acids prepared with a fast and safe procedure. TYLCV DNA was readily and reliably detected in spots corresponding to 15 μg fresh weight. When weak signals were observed, total extracts were analyzed by Southern blotting, to confirm the presence of viral DNA forms.     

Nonradioactive nucleic acid detection by enhanced chemiluminescence using probes directly labeled with horseradish peroxidase

The use of nucleic acid probes directly labeled with horseradish peroxidase for detection of single copy sequences on Southern blots of human genomic DNA by enhanced chemiluminescence is described. Of the target sequences, 6 x 10(5) molecules (1 amol) have been detected on blue sensitive film using exposures of up to 60 min and probes of 0.3-5.1 kb. The chemiluminescent signal quantified using a cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera is proportional to probe length for DNA probes in the range 50-3571 bases. The enzyme has no significant effect on the stability of a DNA/DNA hybrid formed with a 3571-base probe and target as determined by increasing the stringency of posthybridization washes by decreasing the concentration of a monovalent cation (NaCl) and by a Tm analysis. The kinetics of DNA hybridization have been analyzed by a cooled CCD camera to provide quantitative data. Ten nanograms per milliliter of probe may be used for an overnight hybridization. Southern blots can be reprobed using a DNA probe for the same or a different sequence without the necessity of stripping off the previously bound probe.     

Preparation of horseradish peroxidase-labeled probes

The direct labeling of nucleic acid probes, with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) may be used in many membrane hybridization applications, including Southern blots, Northern blots, colony and plaque screening, PCR products detection/identification. This article describes the preparation method, which involves the labeling of a single-stranded nucleic acid probe with a positively charged HRP-parabenzoquinonepolyethyleneimine complex (labeling reagent). The associated hybridization and posthybridization protocols are relatively simple, which makes probes labeled directly with HRP particularly suitable for large scale screening, where tens or hundreds of blots are processed weekly.     

Sensitive chemiluminescent detection of digoxigenin-labeled nucleic acids: a fast and simple protocol and its applications.

A fast and simple protocol for the chemiluminescent detection of digoxigenin-labeled nucleic acids with anti-digoxigenin antibody Fab fragments coupled to alkaline phosphatase and 3-(4-methoxyspiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,2'-tricyclo-[3.3.1.1 (3,7)]decan]-4- yl)phenyl phosphate as substrate is described. The washing and blocking procedure was optimized to yield low background even on positively charged nylon membranes. The sensitivity of the system is equal or better than radioactive methods. Exposure to x-ray or Polaroid film for up to 30 minutes is sufficient for the detection of 70 femtograms of homologous DNA. Human single-copy genes are detected in Southern blots of as low as 0.3 microgram total placental DNA. Blots can be reprobed multiple times very easily. The advantages of the digoxigenin system are high sensitivity, absence of background and ease of reprobing and are illustrated by applications for single-copy gene detection in genomic blots of human DNA, Northern hybridizations to rare mRNA, detection of E. coli genes on blots of genomic digests after pulse field gel electrophoresis, as well as for nonradioactive DNA sequencing blots with digoxigenin-labeled primers.     

Ultrasensitive chemiluminescent and colorigenic detection of DNA, RNA, and proteins in plant molecular biology.

Nonradioactive detection methods for DNA, RNA, and protein analysis have been the subject of research for several years. In this paper the application of the digoxigenin nucleic acid labeling system, in combination with the new alkaline phosphatase substrate 3-(2'-spiroadamantane)-4-methoxy-4-(3"-phosphoryloxy)-phenyl -1,2-dioxetane, to the special requirements of the analysis of transgenic plants is described. Earlier detection systems lacked the required ultrasensitive limits of detection necessary because of the large genomes found in plant cells. Routine detection of single-copy genes from transgenic plant species requires the detection of bands of picograms of specific DNA, which is easily achieved by employing the AMPPD substrate. Optimal conditions of genomic Southern analysis have been successfully adapted for Northern blotting techniques. Detection of foreign proteins in transgenic plants has proven difficult because of the very small amounts of detectable specific protein. Until now, utilization of biotinylated antibodies in combination with a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate has been the most sensitive procedure. By introducing the AMPPD substrate, a further significant enhancement of sensitivity leading to detectable signals in the picogram range can be obtained.     

Hybridization of horseradish peroxidase-labeled probes and detection by enhanced chemiluminescence

This article describes the use of probes directly labeled with horseradish peroxidase in conjunction with enhanced chemiluminescence, which allows a flexible approach to hybridizations and detections. This system may be used with the following applications: Southern blots, Northern blots, colony and plaque screening for positive clones, YAC clone screening, and PCR products detection. The major steps required for the use of directly labeled HRP probes are hybridization, stringent washes, and detection.     

深黄被孢霉△^6—脂肪酸脱氢酶基因在转基因烟草中的表达

γ—亚麻酸(GLA)是人体和动物饮食中具有营养作用的重要的多烯不饱和脂肪酸,在大多数油料作物种子中不含有GLA,而只含有其前体物亚油酸,只有少数油料植物种子中含有GLA,如夜来香(Oenothera spp),琉璃苣(Borago officinalis)等。△^6—脂肪酸脱氢酶可将亚油酸转化为γ—亚麻酸,为了能够在传统的油料作物种子中产生GLA,我们将从深黄被孢霉中克隆的△^6—脂肪酸脱氢酶基因,与植物表达载体pGA643连接,构建了重组质粒pGAM—ICL6,将其通过农杆菌介导法,导入模式植物烟草中。经PCR和Southern杂交分析表明该基因已导入并整合到烟草的基因组中,Northern杂交结果表明该基因在转基因烟草的mRNA水平上获得表达。对转基因植株进行脂肪酸分析,结果显示,GLA和十八碳四烯酸(OTA)分别占总脂肪酸含量的19．7％和3．5％。     

Male specific genes from dioecious white campion identified by fluorescent differential display

Fluorescent differential display (FDD) has been used to screen for cDNAs that are differentially up-regulated in male flowers of the dioecious plant Silene latifolia in which an X/Y chromosome system of sex determination operates. To adapt FDD to the cloning of large numbers of differential cDNAs, a novel method of confirming the differential expression of these has been devised. FDD gels were Southern electro-blotted and probed with mixtures of individual cDNA clones derived from different FDD product ligation reactions. These Southern blots were then stripped and re-probed with further mixtures of individual cloned FDD products to identify the maximum number of recombinant clones carrying the true differential amplification products. Of 135 differential bands identified by FDD, 56 differential amplification products were confirmed; these represent 23 unique differentially expressed genes as determined by virtual Northern analysis and two genes expressed at or below the level of detection by virtual Northern analysis. These two low expressed genes show bands of hybridization on genomic Southern blots that are specific to male plants, indicating that they are derived from, or closely related to, Y chromosome genes.     

Detection of single-copy genes in DNA from transgenic plants by nonradioactive Southern blot analysis

Improvements to the sensitivity, speed, and reproducibility of digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled probes and chemiluminescent substrates makes these compounds increasingly popular to detect nucleic acids. High sensitivity and low background are essential in Southern blot analysis, particularly with plant DNA. This article describes a nonradioactive system to detect single-copy genes in transgenic plants. Labeling using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to produce highly sensitive and reusable DIG-labeled probes. The background was reduced by immobilizing the DNA onto nylon filters by alkaline transfer and by minimized gel handling; the signal-to-noise ratio was improved by modification of the detection procedure.     

Mitochondrial nucleic acids as internal standards for blot hybridization analyses.

A plasmid, designated p72, constructed from human lung carcinoma DNA inserted into the promoterless herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene pML-TK-Bgl II vector, hybridizes strongly to human nucleic acids on Southern and Northern blots. The portion of the DNA insert responsible for the strong signal following hybridization to human DNA or RNA is a 167-bp 3' terminal portion of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The expression of this gene is constitutive in the several human cell lines that were tested and is unaffected by exposure to cytotoxic chemicals that alter the expression of nuclear genes. This plasmid offers an excellent tool for studies of perturbations of gene expression and for controlling for the variations in sample preparation, loading, and transfer in Southern or Northern analysis of nucleic acids.     

兔防御素NP-1基因在转基因番茄中表达的初步研究

兔防御素ＮＰ－１是α－防御素的一种,含３３个氨基酸残基。最初从兔子的多形核嗜中性细胞中分离出来。它对革兰氏阴性菌、革兰氏阳性菌、分枝杆菌、真菌、被膜病毒以及ＨＩＶ病毒都有不同程度的抑制作用。兔防御素ＮＰ－１所带阳离子较多,可抗不具代谢活性的靶细胞。实验中将兔防御素ＮＰ－１基因构建到植物表达载体中,通过根瘤农杆菌介导转入番茄,得到了转基因番茄植株。对转基因番茄植株进行了ＰＣＲ、Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｍ杂交、Ｎ     

Sequential chemiluminescent detection of target DNAs without stripping and reprobing.

We present a simple method for sequential chemiluminescent detections of two different DNA loci on a single Southern blot. First, an enzyme-linked DNA probe for a unique sequence is detected with a horse-radish peroxidase (HRP) substrate followed by the detection of another enzyme-linked DNA probe for a different unique sequence with an alkaline phosphatase (AP) substrate that simultaneously inhibits the chemiluminescence generated by HRP. Such sequential detection steps eliminate the need to strip and reprobe blots and can be performed with no intervening steps.     

Novel non-isotopic detection of MutY enzyme-recognized mismatches in DNA via ultrasensitive detection of aldehydes.

A highly sensitive method to detect traces of aldehyde-containing apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in nucleic acids has been developed. Based on this method, a novel approach to detect DNA base mismatches recognized by the mismatch repair glycosylase MutY is demonstrated. Open chain aldehydes generated in nucleic acids due to spontaneous depurination, DNA damage or base excision of mismatched adenine by MutY are covalently trapped by a new linker molecule [fluorescent aldehyde-reactive probe (FARP), a fluorescein-conjugated hydroxylamine derivative]. DNA containing AP sites is FARP-trapped, biotinylated and immobilized onto neutravidin-coated microplates. The number of FARP-trapped aldehydes is then determined via chemiluminescence using a cooled ICCD camera. AP sites induced in plasmid or genomic calf thymus DNA via mild depurination or by simple incubation at physiological conditions (pH 7, 37 degreesC) presented a linear increase in chemiluminescence signal with time. The procedure developed, from a starting DNA material of approximately 100 ng, allows detection of attomole level (10(-18) mol) AP sites, or 1 AP site/2 x 10(7) bases, and extends by 1-2 orders of magnitude the current limit in AP site detection. In order to detect MutY-recognized mismatches, nucleic acids are first treated with 5 mM hydroxylamine to remove traces of spontaneous aldehydes. Following MutY treatment and FARP-labeling, oligonucleotides engineered to have a centrally located A/G mismatch demonstrate a strong chemiluminescence signal. Similarly, single-stranded M13 DNA that forms mismatches via self-complementation (average of 3 mismatches over 7429 bases) and treated with MutY yields a signal approximately 100-fold above background. No signal was detected when DNA without mismatches was used. The current development allows sensitive, non-isotopic, high throughput screening of diverse nucleic acids for AP sites and mismatches in a microplate-based format.