Isolation of genomic DNA from the earthworm speciesEisenia fetida

Our interest in detecting genotoxic exposure in earthworms led us to isolate high quality DNA from theEisenia fetida species. For that, we compared a modification of the conventional phenol-chloroform extraction procedure, usually refered to as the Maniatis procedure, to two commercially available kits reportedly eliminating multiple partitions in phenol and chloroform, namely the Qiagen and Nucleon protocols. From the 260 nm optical density values, the commercial kits extracts hinted toward higher DNA recovery with those procedures. However, the 260/280 nm ratios indicated that the quality of the DNA isolated with the modified Maniatis procedure was purer than that isolated with the commercial kits, the latter being most probably contaminated by proteins and/or RNA. The Maniatis procedure was slightly modified by the introduction of a potassium acetate step for protein precipitation and by shortening the proteinase K treatment from 12–18 h to only 2 h. The higher quality of the DNA isolated by phenol-chloroform extraction was confirmed by quantification with the fluorescent 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid assay. Preliminary results suggest that the modified Maniatis procedure herein described is not only applicable for DNA adducts studies using³²P-postlabelling techniques but is also suitable for DNA extraction from other earthworm species such asLumbricus terrestris.     

Isolation of genomic DNA from medicinal plants without liquid nitrogen

Genomic DNA was extracted from eight medicinal plants using the present DNA extraction protocols (CTAB extraction method) with some modifications. Leaves were fixed in different fixing solutions containing absolute alcohol (99.99%), chloroform and EDTA, but without liquid nitrogen. DNA quality and quantity obtained were comparable to those isolated with liquid nitrogen, as the lambda260/lambda280 ratio with liquid nitrogen was in range 1.3-1.7 and with other fixing solutions it was 1.1-1.5. Absolute alcohol showed best results as fixing solution. Good quality of DNA was isolated without using liquid nitrogen from different medicinal plant species. DNA isolated by this method was suitable for various molecular biology applications.     

Isolation and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of genomic DNA from soybean embryos

Summary An isolation procedure was developed for the extraction of genomic DNA and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using individual soybean embryos. This procedure can be used to quickly and efficiently isolate DNA from a large number of individuals. DNA isolations were analyzed for total yield, integrity, and usefulness as a template in RAPD analysis.     

Isolation of genomic DNA from blood using a novel filter-based DNA purification technology

A novel DNA purification technology is described that enables the purification of pure dsDNA from blood. When compared to existing DNA purification methods, the Whatman BioScience Purification System (WBPS) offers a fast and convenient way to recover high yields of DNA. WBPS is based on a unique filter system that entraps DNA within a matrix. This allows the process to be performed in a single unidirectional reaction vessel, reducing user interaction and multiple centrifugation steps.     

Isolation of a human tissue-type plasminogen-activator genomic DNA clone and its expression in mouse L cells

We have isolated a cDNA clone corresponding to a substantial portion of the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) protein. It encodes almost all of the protein B chain and part of the 3' untranslated region. We have used this clone to screen bacteriophage lambda and cosmid libraries of human genomic DNA. Several related genomic clones were isolated. One of these, a cosmid clone, carried approx. 40 kb of human DNA. Mapping experiments indicate that the region containing the protein-coding exons is approx. 20 kb in length. The cosmid, containing the t-PA gene and the aminoglycosyl-3'-phosphotransferase dominant-selection marker, was introduced into mouse L cells. Approximately half of the transformants were shown to produce human t-PA. We demonstrated that the fibrinolytic t-PA activity could be specifically quenched by anti-t-PA antibody and that the recombinant t-PA was of similar size (by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) to the t-PA produced by the human Bowes melanoma cell line. Our results suggest that the cosmid clone carries the whole t-PA coding region together with the regulatory elements necessary for its expression.     

Isolation of the DNA polymerase alpha core enzyme from mouse cells

DNA polymerase alpha has been purified from mouse hybridoma cells approximately 30,000-fold using a combination of conventional and high performance liquid chromatography. In contrast to previous characterizations of mammalian DNA polymerase alpha, this enzyme has a single high molecular mass polypeptide (185 kDa) in tight association with a 68-kDa polypeptide and this structure appears to be the core DNA polymerase of the mouse cells. The biochemically purified enzyme, with a specific activity of approximately 200,000 units/mg protein, has an estimated molecular mass by gel filtration chromatography of 240 kDa and sedimentation value of 9 S, consistent with the enzyme being a heterodimer of 185 and 68 kDa. The enzyme is sensitive to both N-ethylmaleimide and aphidicolin and insensitive to ddTTP. Using an activated DNA template, the apparent Km values for the deoxynucleotide triphosphates are approximately 0.5-1 microM. The purified DNA polymerase has neither exonuclease nor primase activities and is the predominant DNA polymerase alpha activity in the mouse cells.     

Isolation and sequencing of mouse angiogenin DNA

The mouse genomic DNA for angiogenin, a potent blood vessel inducing protein, has been isolated from a bacteriophage library using the human angiogenin gene as a probe. The 1129 bp fragment contains 499 bp in the 5' flanking region, 192 bp in the 3' flanking region, and 438 bp coding for the mature protein (121 amino acids) and signal peptide (24 amino acids). Potential TATA box and AATAAA polyadenylation sequences are present, and a consensus sequence for an intron 3' boundary occurs 16 bp upstream of the Met-(24) codon, suggesting the presence of an intron in the 5' region. The protein sequence inferred from the DNA is 76% identical to that of human angiogenin, and matches the sequences obtained previously from tryptic peptides of a serum-derived mouse angiogenin. The critical catalytic residues of human angiogenin are conserved in the mouse protein, as are the six cysteines necessary for disulfide bond formation.     

Isolation and characterization of genomic mouse DNA clones containing sequences homologous to tRNAs and 5S rRNA.

We have cloned and characterized three fragments of Balb/c mouse DNA which hybridize to mouse cell tRNAs. Fractionation of the tRNAs which hybridize to these clones reveals that two of the clones, lambda Mt-4A and lambda Mt-6A hybridize to only one or two tRNAs, while one clone, lambda Mt-4B, hybridizes to at least seven tRNAs. Two of the tRNAs were identified as tRNAProCCG and tRNAGlyGGA, and others have been identified as tRNAs which are selectively encapsidated into virions of murine leukemia virus and avian reticuloendotheliosis virus. The DNA sequences of putative genes for tRNAProCCG and tRNAGlyGGA, plus flanking regions, were determined. A clone of Balb/c mouse DNA which selectively hybridized to 5S rRNA was also isolated and partially characterized.     

Isolation of genomic DNA from defatted oil seed residue of rapeseed (Brassica napus)

A simple protocol for obtaining pure, restrictable and amplifiable megabase genomic DNA from oil-free seed residue of Brassica napus, an important oil seed plant, has been developed. Oil from the dry seeds was completely recovered in an organic solvent and quantified gravimetrically followed by processing of the residual biomass (defatted seed residue) for genomic DNA isolation. The isolated DNA can be cut by a range of restriction enzymes. The method enables simultaneous isolation and recovery of lipids and genomic DNA from the same test sample, thus allowing two independent analyses from a single sample. Multiple micro-scale oil extraction from the commercial seeds gave approximately 39% oil, which is close to the usual oil recovery from standard oil seed. Most of the amplified fragments were scored in the range of 2.5 to 0.5 kb, best suited for scoring as molecular diagnostics.     

Isolation of genomic DNA suitable for community analysis from mature trees adapted to arid environment

Isolation of intact and pure genomic DNA (gDNA) is essential for many molecular biology applications. It is difficult to isolate pure DNA from mature trees of hot and dry desert regions because of the accumulation of high level of polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, tannins etc. We hereby report the standardized protocol for the isolation and purification of gDNA from seven ecologically and medically important tree species of Combretaceae viz. Anogeissus (Anogeissus sericea var. nummularia, Anogeissus pendula, and Anogeissus latifolia) and Terminalia (Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia catappa and Terminalia chebula). This method involves (i) washing the sample twice with Triton buffer (2%) then (ii) isolation of gDNA by modified-CTAB (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) method employing a high concentration (4%) of PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) and 50 mM ascorbic acid, and (iii) purification of this CTAB-isolated gDNA by spin-column. gDNA isolated by modified CTAB or spin-column alone were not found suitable for PCR amplification. The Triton washing step is also critical. The quality of DNA was determined by the A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ absorbance ratio. gDNA was also observed for its intactness by running on 0.8% agarose gel. The suitability of extracted DNA for PCR was tested by amplification with RAPD primers, which was successful. Further, rbcLa (barcoding gene) was amplified and sequenced to check the quality of extracted gDNA for its downstream applications.     

Intergenerational genomic DNA methylation patterns in mouse hybrid strains

Background

DNA methylation is a contributing factor to both rare and common human diseases, and plays a major role in development and gene silencing. While the variation of DNA methylation among individuals has been partially characterized, the degree to which methylation patterns are preserved across generations is still poorly understood. To determine the extent of methylation differences between two generations of mice we examined DNA methylation patterns in the livers of eight parental and F1 mice from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mouse strains using bisulfite sequencing.

Results

We find a large proportion of reproducible methylation differences between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J chromosomes in CpGs, which are highly heritable between parent and F1 mice. We also find sex differences in methylation levels in 396 genes, and 11% of these are differentially expressed between females and males. Using a recently developed approach to identify allelically methylated regions independently of genotypic differences, we identify 112 novel putative imprinted genes and microRNAs, and validate imprinting at the RNA level in 10 of these genes.

Conclusions

The majority of DNA methylation differences among individuals are associated with genetic differences, and a much smaller proportion of these epigenetic differences are due to sex, imprinting or stochastic intergenerational effects. Epigenetic differences can be a determining factor in heritable traits and should be considered in association studies for molecular and clinical traits, as we observed that methylation differences in the mouse model are highly heritable and can have functional consequences on molecular traits such as gene expression.     

Isolation of recombinant bacteriophage containing male-specific mouse DNA

The mammalian Y chromosome is an isolated piece of genetic material that directs sexual determination and gametogenesis. Very little is understood about the mechanism whereby the Y chromosome carries out these functions. Also, there is a severe lack of genetic markers on this chromosome. In order to understand the structure and function of the Y chromosome at the level of its DNA sequences and to provide genetic markers, we are isolating clones of DNA whose sequences are found primarily in DNA from male mice. To this end, we have developed a procedure for the identification of such clones. Application of this screening procedure to a lambda library derived from mouse sperm DNA has yielded 12 distinct clones, part of whose sequences are present predominantly in male DNA. Besides this DNA, they also contain other sequences that are shared with female DNA. These clones are either derived from the Y chromosome or they represent autosomal sequences specifically amplified during male development.