Multiplex standardized RT-PCR for expression analysis of many genes in small samples

Standardized RT-PCR (StaRT-PCR) enables numerical quantification as well as intra- and inter-laboratory comparison of gene expression. Multiplex StaRT-PCR, using two rounds of amplification, was conducted on Stratagene Universal Reference RNA. In the first round, cDNA, competitive template (CT) mix, and primers for up to 96 genes were amplified for varying numbers of cycles. Next, products from round one were diluted, combined with primers for one gene, and amplified for an additional 35 cycles. No additional cDNA or CT mix was added. Expression values obtained by uniplex and multiplex StaRT-PCRs were highly correlated (R=0.993, p<0.001). Products from round one could be diluted as much as 100,000-fold and still be quantified following round two amplification. Thus, using multiplex StaRT-PCR, 96 genes were measured in the same amount of cDNA typically used to measure one gene with uniplex StaRT-PCR. Multiplex StaRT-PCR was also used to measure 18 genes in the fine needle biopsy of a primary lung carcinoma.     

Selective control of primer usage in multiplex one-step reverse transcription PCR

Background  

Multiplex RT-PCR is a valuable technique used for pathogen identification, disease detection and relative quantification of gene expression. The simplification of this protocol into a one-step procedure saves time and reagents. However, intensive PCR optimization is often required to overcome competing undesired PCR primer extension during the RT step.     

Chemically modified primers for improved multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the amplification of multiple targets in a single reaction, presents a new set of challenges that further complicate more traditional PCR setups. These complications include a greater probability for nonspecific amplicon formation and for imbalanced amplification of different targets, each of which can compromise quantification and detection of multiple targets. Despite these difficulties, multiplex PCR is frequently used in applications such as pathogen detection, RNA quantification, mutation analysis, and (recently) next generation DNA sequencing. Here we investigated the utility of primers with one or two thermolabile 4-oxo-1-pentyl phosphotriester modifications in improving multiplex PCR performance. Initial endpoint and real-time analyses revealed a decrease in off-target amplification and a subsequent increase in amplicon yield. Furthermore, the use of modified primers in multiplex setups revealed a greater limit of detection and more uniform amplification of each target as compared with unmodified primers. Overall, the thermolabile modified primers present a novel and exciting avenue for improving multiplex PCR performance.     

Selection and validation of reference genes for real-time RT-PCR studies in the non-model species Delomys sublineatus, an endemic Brazilian rodent

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is a sensitive technique for gene expression analysis. A critical factor for creating reliable data in relative quantification is the normalization of the expression data of genes of interest. Therefore the needed normalization factor is calculated out of the expression data of co-amplified genes that are stable expressed in the certain sample material, the so-called reference genes. In this study, we demonstrate the important process of validating potential reference genes using a non-model species. As there are almost no sequences known of the Pallid Atlantic Forest Rat (Delomys sublineatus), a rodent used as indicator species in conservation studies of the endangered Brazilian rainforest, suitable primer sets are more problematic to find than in model species. Out of nine tested primer sets designed for the fully sequenced Mus musculus, five could be used for the establishment of a proper running SYBR-Green assay and validation of their constant expression. qRT-PCR results of 12 cDNAs of Delomys livers were analyzed with three different validation software programs: BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm. Our approach showed that out of the five (Sdha, Canx, Pgk1, Actb and Actg1) potential reference genes, the first four should be used for accurate normalization in further relative quantification analyses. Transferring data from close-by model organisms makes high sensitive real-time RT-PCR applicable even to free-ranging non-model organisms. Our approach might be suitable for other non-model organisms.     

Detection of colorectal cancer genes using a dye-free method combining barcode-base multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and pyrosequencing

Early detection of abnormal expression levels of cancer-related genes is crucial for reducing cancer mortality. Here, we describe a dye-free multiplex bioassay for simultaneous and quantitative analysis of the expression levels of multiple genes from one sample in a single assay, based on Sequence-tagged Multiplex ligationdependent probe Amplification (MLPA) coupled with pyrosequencing (termed as “SMAP”). Each pair of MLPA probes, containing a designed barcode, represents a gene of interest; thus, the use of various dyes to label different genes was avoided. The unique three-base barcode design on the probes, which can be decoded by pyrosequencing, enables individual quantification of the expression levels of six genes. Moreover, a new carryover contamination prevention system based on the use of restriction endonucleases was developed for PCR-based diagnostic screening assays. SMAP analysis revealed significant differences between the expression levels of CRC-related genes in the tumor tissues and normal tissues from a CRC patient. For PCR-based diagnostic screening assays, 0.5 U of the FokI restriction endonuclease was sufficient for the removal 0.01 pmol of PCR contamination. The ability to analyze the expression levels of a greater number of cancer-related genes would improve diagnostic sensitivity and efficacy. SMAP is amenable to the detection of an increased number of genes by lengthening the artificially designed barcodes; thus our method provides a promising means for cancer diagnostics and improving the treatment options available to cancer patients.     

Simultaneous quantitative assessment of circulating cell-free mitochondrial and nuclear DNA by multiplex real-time PCR

Quantification of circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum could be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for monitoring a wide variety of diseases and conditions. We describe here a rapid, simple and accurate multiplex real-time PCR method for direct synchronized analysis of circulating cell-free (ccf) mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) DNA in plasma and serum samples. The method is based on one-step multiplex real-time PCR using a FAM-labeled MGB probe and primers to amplify the mtDNA sequence of the ATP 8 gene, and a VIC-labeled MGB probe and primers to amplify the nDNA sequence of the glycerinaldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene, in plasma and serum samples simultaneously. The efficiencies of the multiplex assays were measured in serial dilutions. Based on the simulation of the PCR reaction kinetics, the relative quantities of ccf mtDNA were calculated using a very simple equation. Using our optimised real-time PCR conditions, close to 100% efficiency was obtained from the two assays. The two assays performed in the dilution series showed very good and reproducible correlation to each other. This optimised multiplex real-time PCR protocol can be widely used for synchronized quantification of mtDNA and nDNA in different samples, with a very high rate of efficiency.     

Plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA4): A housekeeper for RT-PCR relative quantification of polytopic membrane proteins

Background  

Although relative quantification of real-time RT-PCR data can provide valuable information, one limitation remains the selection of an appropriate reference gene. No one gene has emerged as a universal reference gene and much debate surrounds some of the more commonly used reference genes, such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). At this time, no gene encoding for a plasma membrane protein serves as a reference gene, and relative quantification of plasma membrane proteins is performed with genes encoding soluble proteins, which differ greatly in quantity and in targeting and trafficking from plasma membrane proteins. In this work, our aim was to identify a housekeeping gene, ideally one that codes for a plasma membrane protein, whose expression remains the same regardless of drug treatment and across a wide range of tissues to be used for relative quantification of real-time RT-PCR data for ATP binding cassette (ABC) plasma membrane transporters.     

Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR for the Rapid Detection of the Predominant Beta-Lactamase Genes CTX-M,SHV, TEM and CIT-Type AmpCs in Enterobacteriaceae

Beta-lactamase resistant bacteria and especially ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae are an increasing problem worldwide. For this reason a major interest in efficient and reliable methods for rapid screening of high sample numbers is recognizable. Therefore, a multiplex real-time PCR was developed to detect the predominant class A beta-lactamase genes bla _CTX-M, bla _SHV, bla _TEM and CIT-type AmpCs in a one-step reaction. A set of 114 Enterobacteriaceae containing previously identified resistance gene subtypes and in addition 20 undefined animal and environmental isolates were used for the validation of this assay. To confirm the accessibility in variable settings, the real-time runs were performed analogous in two different laboratories using different real-time cyclers. The obtained results showed complete accordance between the real-time data and the predetermined genotypes. Even if sequence analyses are further necessary for a comprehensive characterization, this method was proofed to be reliable for rapid screening of high sample numbers and therefore could be an important tool for e. g. epidemiological purposes or support infection control measures.     

基于荧光通用引物的多重定量RT-PCR基因表达谱分析平台的构建、优化及其应用

文章建立并优化了一种基于荧光通用引物的多重定量RT-PCR技术, 该技术采用了嵌合特异引物引导荧光通用引物的扩增方案, 多个目的基因被一对通用引物等比例扩增, 从而实现多重定量检测。该技术实现了经济可靠的中通量基因表达定量研究, 弥补了基因表达分析平台中cDNA芯片定量准确性低和Real-time quanti-tative PCR通量小的缺点, 完善了整个基因表达的分析过程。文章以小鼠X染色体上影响性发育启动的QTL区段为例, 选择11个目的基因进行了技术构建及优化, 确定了该技术的检测灵敏度为102拷贝, 通用引物与上游嵌合特异引物的比例以1:1为佳, 并且验证了该技术的重复性和准确性。降落式(Touchdown)PCR结合通用引物补加实验表明, 该优化步骤可大大改善低丰度表达基因的扩增。通过对2个品系(C3H/HeJ和C57BL/6J)15日龄小鼠的下丘脑和睾丸组织中的11个基因的表达分析, 在下丘脑中找到了一个差异表达的基因PHF6可用于进一步的基因功能研究。