Biotinylated probes to detect Leptospira interrogans on dot blot hybridization or by in situ hybridization

Total genomic biotinylated probes which can identify leptospires by hybridization on filters or by in situ hybridization are described in this study. According to the weak G + C content of the strains studied (35-39%) and owing to the decreasing melting temperature (Tm) due to overbiotinylation, hybridization and wash temperatures were optimized at 33 degrees C and at 42 degrees C respectively. Fourteen serovars of Leptospira interrogans belonging to 11 different serogroups and three serovars of Leptospira biflexa were used in this study. Cross-hybridization results show that it is possible, by means of such probes, specifically to recognize pathogenic strains. These probes did not hybridize with the three saprophytic strains: L. buenos-aires, L. patoc and L. andamana. We also ran a total genomic probe, specific to the serovar buenos-aires which hybridizes only with homologous DNA.     

Southern and fluorescent in situ hybridization detect three RAPD-generated PCR products useful as introgression markers in Petunia

 Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to reveal the intrachromosomal organization of 11 RAPD markers localized on the genetic map of Petunia hybrida. The cloned RAPD markers were analyzed by means of Southern hybridization to determine their level of sequence repetition and their specificity in different Petunia species with 2n=14 and 18 chromosomes. The same probes were then used in FISH experiments. Most of the RAPD clones studied showed high sequence repetition and no species specificity. Moreover, FISH analysis showed that these probes could belong to multilocus families as evidenced by the multiple FISH signals dispersed throughout the genome and present on every chromosome. Only 3 RAPD clones revealed species specificity at the chromosome level. Clones OPJ18-250 and V20-350 were only detected by FISH in the white-flowered species and clone OPV08-600 only in species with colored flowers. They were localized at one two or three pairs of fluorescent sites. The localization of OPJ18-250 at a unique site on chromosome VI give us the opportunity to compare genetic and physical distances. Received: 19 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 July 1998     

Ultrastructural cytochemical, immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization methods with polyuridine probes detect mRNA in human mast cell granules

Mature human mast cells are classical secretory cells that are filled with secretory-storage granules but are poorly endowed with visible free or membrane-bound cytoplasmic ribosomes. We recently reported close associations of ribosomes and various components essential to RNA metabolism in and close to human mast cell granules using multiple ultrastructural imaging methods. In view of these findings and an increased awareness of RNA sorting and localization to specific subcellular sites and organelles, we used human mast cells purified from non-tumour portions of lung samples resected at surgery for carcinoma and ultrastructural methods to investigate this further. Poly(U) probes were used to detect direct en grid binding, and radiolabelled as well as non-radiolabelled poly(U) probes were used in in situ hybridization protocols to detect poly(A)-positive pre-mRNA and mRNA in nuclear, cytoplasmic and granular compartments of mature human mast cells. Negative controls verified specificity of label; expected nuclear and cytoplasmic locations of poly(A)-positive RNA served as positive controls for each sample. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that site-specific synthesis in secretory-storage granules may occur in secretory cells.     

Enhancement of in situ hybridization to detect bovine herpesvirus 4 in paraffin sections

In situ hybridization (ISH) protocols including different pre-treatment regimes were developed and compared for their effects on detecting bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue. Results were compared for the hybridization and background signal intensities, and cellular morphology. We found that optimum results were obtained using enzyme treatment-thermal cycling as a pre-treatment of ISH. The results showed that the combination of protease and thermal cycling would be recommended as a means of supplementing in situ hybridization methods, especially when using long-term formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.     

Schistosoma mansoni: a diagnostic approach to detect acute schistosomiasis infection in a murine model by PCR

Schistosomiasis represents an increasing problem in non-endemic areas, due to the growing number of immigrants and to tourists contracting this disease in "off-the-beaten-track" tourism. Acute schistosomiasis is not diagnosed early due to the lack of diagnostic tools that are sufficiently sensitive enough to detect the parasite during the first weeks of infection. We have developed a diagnostic approach based on the detection of parasite DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in urine, comparing the performance of this new approach with the two currently used schistosomiasis diagnostic tools (Kato-Katz and ELISA) and the PCR in stool samples. This comparison was done in a Schistosoma mansoni murine experimental model, which permits follow up of the parasite from the acute to the chronic stage of infection. Our results suggest that this new PCR-based approach could be useful for the detection of acute schistosomiasis in easy-to-handle clinical samples such the urine.     

Characterization of mouse parvovirus infection by in situ hybridization.

Infection of young adult BALB/cByJ mice with mouse parvovirus-1, a newly recognized, lymphocytotropic, nonpathogenic parvovirus, was examined by in situ hybridization. Virus appeared to enter through the small intestine and was disseminated to the liver and lymphoid tissues. Strand-specific probes detected virion DNA in a consistently larger number of cells than replicative forms of viral DNA and/or viral mRNA. The number of signal-positive cells in the intestinal mucosa, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus increased through day 10 after oral inoculation but decreased after seroconversion. Positive cells were still detected, however, in peripheral lymphoid tissues of mice examined at 9 weeks postinoculation. The results underscore the need to assess potential effects of persistent mouse parvovirus-1 infection on immune function in mice.     

The potential link between PML NBs and ICP0 in regulating lytic and latent infection of HSV-1

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common human pathogen causing cold sores and even more serious diseases. It can establish a latent stage in sensory ganglia after primary epithelial infections, and reactivate in response to stress or sunlight. Previous studies have demonstrated that viral immediate-early protein ICP0 plays a key role in regulating the balance between lytic and latent infection. Recently, It has been determined that promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs), small nuclear sub-structures, contribute to the repression of HSV-1 infection in the absence of functional ICP0. In this review, we discuss the fundamentals of the interaction between ICP0 and PML NBs, suggesting a potential link between PML NBs and ICP0 in regulating lytic and latent infection of HSV-1.     

FISH检测宫颈脱落细胞与宫颈组织中hTERC基因制片方法的研究

目的:探讨FISH实验中用直接涂片法、盐水制片法、TCT制片法、低渗滴片法制片法和宫颈切片组织取材方法对于FISH成功率的影响.方法:收集2008年3月至2009年3月青岛大学医学院附属医院妇科162例宫颈脱落细胞标本及2008年5月至2009年3月手术切除或活检的宫颈组织63例,用荧光原位杂交(FISH)方法检测hTERC基因.结果:直接涂片法、盐水制片法、生理盐水法、TCT制片法和石蜡包埋组织切片法hTERC基因杂交成功率分别为58.3%,65%,55%,87.1%,85.7%,TCT制片高于其它四组;低渗滴片法背景干净度、细胞形态、裸核数量满意度最高;TCT制片法细胞数量满意率最高;石蜡包埋组织切片法荧光信号满意率最高.结论:在检测hTERC基因的宫颈癌筛查中,TCT制片法明显优于其他方法,而在指导宫颈病变及宫颈癌的治疗中,石蜡包埋组织切片法的染色体破坏最小,实际意义更大.     

Combining catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization and microautoradiography to detect substrate utilization by bacteria and Archaea in the deep ocean

The recently developed CARD-FISH protocol was refined for the detection of marine Archaea by replacing the lysozyme permeabilization treatment with proteinase K. This modification resulted in about twofold-higher detection rates for Archaea in deep waters. Using this method in combination with microautoradiography, we found that Archaea are more abundant than Bacteria (42% versus 32% of 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole counts) in the deep waters of the North Atlantic and that a larger fraction of Archaea than of Bacteria takes up l-aspartic acid (19% versus 10%).     

Cell separation system studied by mixed culture of single wild strain with tetrads-forming mutant strain of Micrococcus luteus

Mixed culture study of singly occurring wild strain IFO 3333 of Micrococcus luteus and a tetrads-forming mutant strain MT, in the absence or presence of trypsin, supported our previous assumption that at least two kinds of separation systems were involved in cell separation of M. luteus, the one having a physiological role in cutting off the outermost layer of the cell wall (separation system-Om) and the other in cutting off the inner layer of the "proper" cell wall or the septum (separation system-In). The separation system-Om of IFO 3333 insensitive to trypsin substituted, freely from the cells, for that of MT sensitive to trypsin.     

In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry in serial sections of rabbit skeletal muscle to detect myosin expression

We performed in situ hybridization of myosin heavy-chain (MHC) mRNA on rabbit muscle using a biotin-labeled complementary RNA probe. An 1107-nucleotide fragment from an alpha-cardiac MHC cDNA was used to transcribe an RNA probe 97% similar to slow-twitch and 75% similar to fast-twitch sequences. Serial sections were used to identify slow-twitch fibers in medial gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior by immunofluorescence of slow MHC and oxidative capacity by histochemistry. Slow-twitch fibers hybridized by the RNA probe stained heavily after detection with streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase (89% dark and 11% medium density). Fast-oxidative fibers stained intermediately (26% dark, 58% medium, and 16% light) and fast-glycolytic fibers stained lightly (12% medium and 88% light). Biotin-labeled probe and enzymatic detection allowed greater resolution of the subcellular location of the MHC mRNA, a distinct advantage over isotope labeling and autoradiography. A non-uniform distribution of MHC mRNA was recognized within an adult skeletal muscle fiber. High concentrations of MHC mRNA were found under the sarcolemma and between the myofibrils, suggesting the existence of a distribution mechanism. The combination of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry allows rapid subcellular localization of both MHC mRNA and its translated protein.