Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for generating specific DNA probes for microorganisms

We report the rapid generation of DNA probes for several Azospirillum strains. This method does not require any knowledge of the genetics and/or the molecular biology of the organism (genome) to be investigated. The procedure is based on the generation of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints using primers with an embedded restriction site. The amplification product(s) peculiar to one strain or common to two or more strains can be purified, cloned, sequenced and used as molecular probes in hybridization experiments for the detection and identification of microorganisms. We have tested this methodology in the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum by amplyfing the total DNA extracted from several Azospirillum strains. We have used amplification bands with different specificity as molecular probes in hybridization experiments performed on amplified DNA. Results obtained have demonstrated the usefulness of this methodology for Azospirillum. Its use in microbial ecology studies as a general strategy to generate specific DNA probes is also discussed.     

Europium(III) cryptate: a fluorescent label for the detection of DNA hybrids on solid support.

We report here a new detection method for DNA hybrids on dot blots. The process utilizes DNA or oligonucleotide probes labeled with biotin, followed by recognition with a conjugate of streptavidin and europium cryptate, a time-resolved fluorescent label. Unlike the other lanthanide chelates, this label is an organic molecule embedding a europium ion into an intramolecular cavity. This structure has a better stability in diluted assay media, a good sensitivity even on solid support, and an elevated fluorescence lifetime which allows elimination of most of the background generated by other species present in the assay medium. This procedure is quantitative and detects down to 2 amol of a model DNA, which is similar to other nonisotopic (especially colorimetric) methods. The main advantages of this method are easy automation, quantitation, and rapidity of measurements.     

Novel DNA staining method and processing technique for the quantification of undamaged double-stranded DNA in epidermal tissue sections by PicoGreen probe staining and microspectrophotometry.

Histotechnological processing of DNA can cause damage to and loss of DNA and can change its structure. DNA probes have severe tissue-staining limitations. New DNA probes and improved histotechnology are needed to enhance the characterization of fixed tissue-bound DNA. Our team developed a novel DNA staining technique and histotechnological processing procedure that improves tissue-bound DNA retention and the qualification and quantification of intact double-stranded (ds)-B-DNA. We used the ultrasensitive PicoGreen ds-DNA probe for the histochemical characterization of ds-DNA. Fifteen fixatives were examined to determine which were best for preventing DNA denaturation and retaining original DNA content and structures. Our use of a microwave-vacuum oven reduced heating temperatures, shortened heating and processing times, and enhanced fixation. We achieved better qualitative and quantitative results by using superior tissue-acquisition techniques (e.g., reduced prefixation times) and improved histotechnology. We also compared our novel approach with archival tissues, delayed fixation, less sophisticated and conventional histological processing techniques, and by experimenting with preservation of tissue-bound ds-Z-DNA. Results demonstrate that our histotechnological procedure and nucleic acid staining method significantly improve the retention of intact, undamaged ds-DNA which, in turn, allows the investigator to more precisely quantify the content and structures of unaltered and undamaged tissue-bound ds-B-DNA.     

Method of mapping DNA replication origins.

We have developed a method which allows determination of the direction in which replication forks move through segments of chromosomal DNA for which cloned probes are available. The method is based on the facts that DNA restriction fragments containing replication forks migrate more slowly through agarose gels than do non-fork-containing fragments and that the extent of retardation of the fork-containing fragments is a function of the extent of replication. The procedure allows the identification of DNA replication origins as sites from which replication forks diverge. In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of this procedure, with simian virus 40 DNA as a model, and we discuss its applicability to other systems.     

Biotinylation of denatured double-stranded DNA after transamination of cytidines: molecular biology applications.

Transamination at 100 degrees C of cytosines in denatured double-strand DNA is a rapid and reliable method to obtain DNA molecules containing N4-aminoethylcytosine (4aeC), which can be quantitatively conjugated to biotinyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (BHS) at 37 degrees C, yielding chemically labelled probes for molecular hybridization. The adopted transamination reaction temperature allows for a ten-fold reduction of the time required for labelling at 42 degrees C, and probes obtained by this procedure are equally effective for general use in molecular biology. Dot-blots with 1-5 pg of target lambda DNA were detected by streptavidin-acid phosphatase complex after hybridization with its homologous sequences. Chemically biotinylated mouse satellite DNA has been used in combination with avidin-horseradish peroxidase to detect metaphase and interphase centromeres via in situ hybridization. Moreover probes labelled with differentially spaced linker arms were prepared by this method.     

An improved method for preparing large arrays of bacterial colonies containing plasmids for hybridization: In situ purification and stable binding of DNA on paper filters

An improved procedure is presented for the binding to filter paper and subsequent purification of DNA from plasmid-containing bacterial colonies. The procedure includes treatments with NaOH, enzymatic digestion, and organic solvent extraction of the filter-bound DNA. This method allows isolation of DNA in a reusable form from thousands of colonies in several hours. Double-labeling experiments with [³H]thymidine and [¹⁴C]proline indicated that (i) during purification the DNA:protein ratio is increased several hundredfold; (ii) little or no DNA is lost during the procedure; (iii) the resultant purified DNA is tenaciously bound to the paper. Thus, the final filter-bound DNA allows multiple sequential hybridizations of different probes to one filter.     

In situ hybridization at the electron microscope level: hybrid detection by autoradiography and colloidal gold

In situ hybridization has become a standard method for localizing DNA or RNA sequences in cytological preparations. We developed two methods to extend this technique to the transmission electron microscope level using mouse satellite DNA hybridization to whole mount metaphase chromosomes as the test system. The first method devised is a direct extension of standard light microscope level using mouse satellite DNA hybridization to whole mount metaphase chromosomes as the test system. The first method devised is a direct extension of standard light microscope in situ hybridization. Radioactively labeled complementary RNA (cRNA) is hybridized to metaphase chromosomes deposited on electron microscope grids and fixed in 70 percent ethanol vapor; hybridixation site are detected by autoradiography. Specific and intense labeling of chromosomal centromeric regions is observed even after relatively short exposure times. Inerphase nuclei present in some of the metaphase chromosome preparations also show defined paatterms of satellite DNA labeling which suggests that satellite-containing regions are associate with each other during interphase. The sensitivity of this method is estimated to at least as good as that at the light microscope level while the resolution is improved at least threefold. The second method, which circumvents the use of autoradiogrphic detection, uses biotin-labeled polynucleotide probes. After hybridization of these probes, either DNA or RNA, to fixed chromosomes on grids, hybrids are detected via reaction is improved at least threefold. The second method, which circumvents the use of autoradiographic detection, uses biotin-labeled polynucleotide probes. After hybridization of these probes, either DNA or RNA, to fixed chromosomes on grids, hybrids are detected via reaction with an antibody against biotin and secondary antibody adsorbed to the surface of over centromeric heterochromatin and along the associated peripheral fibers. Labeling is on average ten times that of background binding. This method is rapid and possesses the potential to allow precise ultrastructual localization of DNA sequences in chromosomes and chromatin.     

Removal of repeated sequences from hybridisation probes.

Pre-reassociation of human clone probes, containing dispersed highly repeated sequences, (e.g. Alu and KpnI families), with a large excess of sonicated total human DNA allows signal from single and low copy number components to be detected in transfer hybridisations. The signal from non-dispersed repeated sequences is reduced to single copy levels. The procedure, which is simple and quick, is illustrated using model combinations of well characterised cloned probes, and is applied to a sample of randomly chosen cosmid clones. A theoretical assessment is presented which may be useful to those wishing to use this procedure.     

A multiple-staining procedure for the detection of different DNA fragments on a single blot.

We have developed a method that implies the use of a particular type of substrate which can be used in combination with alkaline phosphatase in detecting nucleic acid on filters. The method allows the detection of several different nucleic acid sequences on a single filter. In consecutive steps, the target DNA molecules are hybridized with different digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes. After each hybridization step, digoxigenin is detected with an antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. This enzyme is subsequently visualized by a color reaction using different 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid anilide (naphthol AS) phosphates as substrates in combination with varying diazonium salts. The multiple-staining procedure is based on the fact that the probe DNA-antibody complex can be removed while the color precipitate remains stably bound at its place on the filter. This allows several repeated hybridizations with other digoxigenin-labeled probes followed by antibody detection and color reaction with other naphthol AS phosphate-diazonium salt combinations. Aside from the ability to simultaneously visualize different target DNAs on a single filter, this new method provides several important features that are more powerful than the conventional 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate-nitro blue tetrazolium (BCIP-NBT) color reaction for alkaline phosphatase. The colors are more stable and brilliant than BCIP-NBT; their development is faster, the resolution of closely spaced bands is greater, and the background is much lower. The detection limit for alkaline phosphates is as good as with BCIP-NBT (0.1 pg of DNA). One major advantage is the simplicity of removing the colors by ethanol incubation. In this paper, the method is described using the example of Southern blotted DNA fragments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

New tools for oligonucleotide fingerprinting

Oligonucleotide fingerprinting is an attractive, high-throughput complement to tag sequencing methods to determine the spectrum and abundance of genes in cDNA libraries. This method currently relies on the sequential hybridizations of short, radioactively labeled DNA oligonucleotides to clone arrays. Here, we describe a new environment that substantially improves this technology. Fluorescently labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligonucleotides are used as hybridization probes. Hybridization results are recorded with a large-field, high-resolution laser scanner developed for this purpose. Automated image analysis allows easy handling of large numbers of hybridization images. Signal interference effects, which limit the gridding density in the radioactive approach, are strongly reduced. The sensitivity of the fluorescence detection demonstrated permits the convenient use of nylon membranes. Hybridization data quality is improved, and its generation is substantially accelerated, simplified, and less expensive.     

Characterization of a set of X-linked sequences and of a panel of somatic cell hybrids useful for the regional mapping of the human X chromosome

Summary We have characterized 19 DNA fragments originating from the human X chromosome. Most of them have been isolated from an X chromosome genomic library (Davies et al. 1981) using a systematic screening procedure. These DNA probes have been used to search for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). The frequency of restriction polymorphisms (1 per 350 bp analysed) was lower than expected from data obtained with autosomal fragments. The various probes have been mapped within 12 subchromosomal regions using a panel of human-rodent hybrid cell lines. The validity of the panel was established by hybridization experiments performed with 27 X-specific DNA probes, which yielded information on the relative position of translocation break-points on the X chromosome. The DNAs from the various hybrid lines are blotted onto a reusable support which allows one to quickly map any new X-specific DNA fragment. The probes already isolated should be of use to map unbalanced X chromosome aberrations or to characterize new somatic cell hybrid lines. The probes which detect RFLPs define new genetic markers which will help to construct a detailed linkage map of the human X chromosome, and might also serve for the diagnosis of carriers or prenatal diagnosis.     

A streptavidin paramagnetic-particle based competition assay for the evaluation of the optical selectivity of quadruplex nucleic acid fluorescent probes

Although quadruplex nucleic acids are thought to be involved in many biological processes, they are massively overwhelmed by duplex DNA in the cell. Small molecules, able to probe quadruplex nucleic acids with high optical selectivity, could possibly achieve the visualization of these processes. The aim of the method described herein is to evaluate quickly the optical selectivity of quadruplex nucleic acid probes, in isothermal conditions, using widely available materials, small quantities of oligonucleotides and virtually any kind and quantity of biological competitor. The assay relies on the use of streptavidin-coated paramagnetic particles and biotinylated quadruplex forming oligonucleotides, allowing a quick and easy separation of the quadruplex target from the competitor. In the present study, two quadruplex nucleic acids (the DNA and RNA human telomeric repeats) have been used as targets while a duplex DNA oligonucleotide, total DNA, total RNA, another quadruplex nucleic acid and a protein have been used as competitors. The optical selectivity of various probes, displaying different photophysical properties and binding selectivities, has been successfully examined, allowing the identification of a best candidate for further cell microscopy experiments. This assay allows a quick and reliable assessment of the labeling properties of a quadruplex binder in cellular environment conditions. It is an interesting alternative to gel electrophoresis experiments since it is performed in solution, has a well-resolved separation system and allows easy quantifications.     

DNA probe attachment on plastic surfaces and microfluidic hybridization array channel devices with sample oscillation

DNA probe immobilization on plastic surfaces and device assembly are both critical to the fabrication of microfluidic hybridization array channel (MHAC) devices. Three oligonucleotide (oligo) probe immobilization procedures were investigated for attaching oligo probes on four different types of plastic surfaces (polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly(methylmethacrylate), and polypropylene). These procedures are the Surmodics procedure, the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) procedure, and the Reacti-Bind procedure. To determine the optimal plastic substrate and attachment chemistry for array fabrication, we investigated plastic hydrophobicity, intrinsic fluorescence, and oligo attachment efficiency. The Reacti-Bind procedure is least effective for attaching oligo probes in the microarray format. The CTAB procedure performs well enough to use in array fabrication, and the concentration of CTAB has a significant effect on oligo immobilization efficiency. We also found that use of amine-modified oligo probes resulted in better immobilization efficiency than use of unmodified oligos with the CTAB procedure. The oligo probe immobilization on plastic surfaces by the Surmodics procedure is the most effective with regard to probe spot quality and hybridization sensitivity. A DNA hybridization assay on such a device results in a limit of detection of 12pM. Utilizing a CO(2) IR laser machining and adhesive layer approach, we have developed an improved procedure for realizing a DNA microarray inside a microfluidic channel. This device fabrication procedure allows for more feasible spot placement in the channel and reduced sample adsorption by adhesive tapes used in the fabrication procedure. We also demonstrated improved hybridization kinetics and increased detection sensitivity in MHAC devices by implementing sample oscillation inside the channel. A limit of detection of 5pM has been achieved in MHAC devices with sample oscillation.     

DNA fingerprinting in cattle using oligonucleotide probes

Oligonucleotide probes specific for simple tandem repeat sequences produce individual specific DNA fingerprints in man and all animal species tested so far. Here 11 different synthetic probes were hybridized to bovine genomic DNAs which had been digested with the restriction endonucleases HinfI, AluI and HaeIII. Two of these probes gave DNA fingerprint patterns which were analysed for three German breeds. Different parameters were calculated, such as the average number of bands per individual or the probability of finding identical fingerprints in two unrelated individuals. The number of polymorphic bands varies from 11 to 23 in the different breeds and the probability of finding the same banding pattern in two unrelated individuals ranges from 1.5 x 10(-7) to 2.4 x 10(-7). Hence this DNA fingerprinting procedure allows precise identification of individuals. It is also a useful additional method for paternity testing in cattle.     

Synthesis of nucleic acid probes on membrane supports: a procedure for the removal of unincorporated precursors

We have used DNA bound to small pieces of nylon membrane for the synthesis of radioactive probes. The DNA to be used for generating the probe(s) is first bound to nylon membranes and then introduced into the reaction mix. The labeling reaction takes place on the membrane and therefore allows easy removal of unincorporated precursors by simple washing for 1-2 min. The clean labeled probe is eluted from the membrane in formamide or in water and is ready for use. This DNA-membrane can be stored for reuse. Synthesis of probes on a solid support such as nylon membrane thus circumvents problems associated with chromatographic manipulations needed for the separation of labeled DNA from unicorporated precursors. Probes synthesized in this manner are as efficient in detecting nucleic acid sequences as those synthesized in solution.     

Immunodetection with streptavidin-acid phosphatase complex on Western blots

A technique for the detection of nanogram amounts of protein blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes has been developed using nonradioactive probes. Protein transferred to nitrocellulose membranes is detected by a specific antibody followed by incubation with biotinylated anti-antibody. After addition of streptavidin-acid phosphatase complex, incubation with fast violet B salt produces sharp magenta bands. This method allows detection of bands containing less than 20 ng of protein. The procedure does not use radioactive or carcinogenic materials.     

Robust 3D DNA FISH Using Directly Labeled Probes

3D DNA FISH has become a major tool for analyzing three-dimensional organization of the nucleus, and several variations of the technique have been published. In this article we describe a protocol which has been optimized for robustness, reproducibility, and ease of use. Brightly fluorescent directly labeled probes are generated by nick-translation with amino-allyldUTP followed by chemical coupling of the dye. 3D DNA FISH is performed using a freeze-thaw step for cell permeabilization and a heating step for simultaneous denaturation of probe and nuclear DNA. The protocol is applicable to a range of cell types and a variety of probes (BACs, plasmids, fosmids, or Whole Chromosome Paints) and allows for high-throughput automated imaging. With this method we routinely investigate nuclear localization of up to three chromosomal regions.