Direct sequencing of tobacco chloroplast genome by the polymerase chain reaction

We have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for sequencing of tobacco chloroplast genome. In a mixture containing chloroplast DNA, 5-end-labeled oligonucleotide primer, Taq DNA polymerase and reaction buffer, we were able to sequence a segment of chloroplast 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the 750 bp of DNA sequenced were identical to the sequence reported, indicating that direct sequencing method that we have developed is useful for the sequencing of chloroplast genome. To analyze the chloroplast genome more rapidly in those in vitro grown plantlets, we also developed a simple method which is applicable for the amplifications and sequencing of chloroplast 16S rRNA fragment from either 0.15 g of tobacco leaf or stem tissue. The readable sequences obtained from the presented methods were consistent with the published sequence.     

DNA Sequencing Directly from a Mixture Using Terminal-Base-Selective Primers

DNA cloning is often used to select and amplify one DNA speciesfrom a mixture. However, the cloning process is complex andlabor-intensive. We have developed a new two-step method forDNA sequencing directly from a mixture. The first is the introductionof a known oligonucleotide (common part) into the terminus ofunknown DNA by ligation. The second is selective DNA sequencingusing primers with two additional nucleotides at the 3' terminusin addition to the common part (terminal-base-selective primers).The primers work only for templates on which the primers perfectlyhybridized. This method was found to be effective for the HindIIIdigestion products of phage.     

A versatile plasmid system for the study of prokaryotic transcription signals in Escherichia coli

For comparing the relative efficiencies of Escherichia coli promoters, a modified plasmid system, pKO-2 and pKM-2, has been constructed using short synthetic DNA fragments. The new vectors were derived from the plasmids pKO-1 and pKM-1. The plasmids contain seven clustered unique restriction sites which can be used for promoter insertions. Also, three adjacent stop codons were introduced to abort any undesired translational initiation from various upstream origins. The DNA sequence of any insert in pKO-2 and pKM-2 can be determined rapidly by the supercoiled plasmid DNA sequencing method using a single oligonucleotide primer. The plasmid pKM-2 is especially suitable for the cloning and sequence determination of strong promoters.     

DNA barcodes from century‐old type specimens using next‐generation sequencing

Type specimens have high scientific importance because they provide the only certain connection between the application of a Linnean name and a physical specimen. Many other individuals may have been identified as a particular species, but their linkage to the taxon concept is inferential. Because type specimens are often more than a century old and have experienced conditions unfavourable for DNA preservation, success in sequence recovery has been uncertain. This study addresses this challenge by employing next‐generation sequencing (NGS) to recover sequences for the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene from small amounts of template DNA. DNA quality was first screened in more than 1800 century‐old type specimens of Lepidoptera by attempting to recover 164‐bp and 94‐bp reads via Sanger sequencing. This analysis permitted the assignment of each specimen to one of three DNA quality categories – high (164‐bp sequence), medium (94‐bp sequence) or low (no sequence). Ten specimens from each category were subsequently analysed via a PCR‐based NGS protocol requiring very little template DNA. It recovered sequence information from all specimens with average read lengths ranging from 458 bp to 610 bp for the three DNA categories. By sequencing ten specimens in each NGS run, costs were similar to Sanger analysis. Future increases in the number of specimens processed in each run promise substantial reductions in cost, making it possible to anticipate a future where barcode sequences are available from most type specimens.     

Dideoxy DNA sequencing with end-labeled oligonucleotide primers

End-labeled oligonucleotide primers may be used effectively as the source of radiolabel in DNA sequencing by the dideoxy method. The approach is demonstrated with various end-labeled oligonucleotides, including a commercially prepared universal primer and a mixed-sequence probe. Single-stranded (M13) or denatured double-stranded template may be used. The end-labeled primers and their extension products may be stored for weeks. The method is useful for identification of clones isolated by oligonucleotide hybridization and it provides a convenient, economical alternative to the use of alpha-labeled deoxynucleoside triphosphate.     

大鼠高重复顺序DNA的核苷酸顺序分析及其与灵长类类α-DNA顺序的比较

 啮齿目动物高重复顺序DNA的结构特征,虽已有人进行过分析,并提出大鼠DNA中有酶切位点分布独特的高重复顺序,也有人认为在Sprague-Dawlay大鼠中有类似于α-DNA大小的高重复顺序,并命名为α型(α-type),是否大鼠中也含有类α顺序,并没有人讨论过。我们对Wistar大鼠高重复顺序DNA进行了分离、纯化、分子克隆及核苷酸序列分析,测定了全序列为370bp,它也是具有酶切点分布独特的高重复顺序,但与前者存在着18％的差异性。我们对此顺序与灵长类类α-DNA进行了比较分析,发现二者在几方面都不存在相似之处,如此序列G-C含量占全部碱基组成的37.3％,而类α顺序的G-C含量约在40％以上,一些酶切位点也与类α-DNA完全不相同,另外在此序列的相应位置上也不具有灵长类类α-DNA的三个“冷点区”等等,由此得出大鼠这一高重复顺序并非类α顺序,而类α顺序只是灵长类动物所特有的。     

用寡核苷酸本身作为PCR引物检测其重组DNA

以待检测的寡核苷酸本身作为一个引物,加上两个载体特异引物,组成两对PCR引物。含待检测寡核苷酸片段的重组DNA用这两对引物可分别扩增出两个大小不同的片段,而载体DNA只有一对引物（即载体特异引物）可扩增出一个较小的片段。     

DNA bioassays based on the fluorescence ‘turn off’ of silver nanocluster beacon

Recognition and quantification of oligonucleotide sequences play important roles in medical diagnosis. In this study, a new fluorescent oligonucleotide‐stabilized silver nanocluster beacon (NCB) probe was designed for sensitive detection of oligonucleotide sequence targets. This probe contained two tailored DNA strands. One strand was a signal probe strand containing a cytosine‐rich strand template for fluorescent silver nanocluster (Ag NC) synthesis and a detection sections at each end. The other strand was a fluorescence enhancing strand containing a guanine‐rich section for signal enhancement at one end and a linker section complementary to one end of the signal probe strand. After synthesis of the Ag NCs and hybridization of the two strands, the fluorescence intensity of the as‐prepared silver NCB was enhanced 200‐fold compared with the Ag NCs. Two NCBs were designed to detect two disease‐related oligonucleotide sequences, and results indicated that the two target oligonucleotide sequences in the range 50.0–600.0 and 50.0–200.0 nM could be linearly detected with detection limits of 20 and 25 nM, respectively. The developed fluorescence method using NCBs for oligonucleotide sequence detection was sensitive, facile and had potential for use in bioanalysis and diagnosis.     

DNA芯片与应用

DNA芯片就是利用光导原位化学合成或液相合成自动化点样,将数以万计的寡核苷酸固定于固相支持物硅片、尼龙膜上,与荧光素或同位素标记的特检样本DNA/cDNA杂交,通过对杂交信号分析反映样本中的DNA序列信息。它广泛应用基因表达、DNA测序、基因分型、基因突变与多态性检测和遗传作图等生物医学研究领域。     

Immobilization of oligonucleotides on a large pore support for plasmid purification by triplex affinity interaction

Triplex affinity interaction provides a new process for the purification of plasmid DNA, which is especially suited to meet the demands of a gene therapy use. We developed a method for the functionalization of a large pore affinity support suitable for this application. A 5-modified DNA oligonucleotide containing an aldehyde group was coupled to adipic acid hydrazide functionalized Sephacryl beads with a yield of 31% (over all immobilization yield 22.6% from starting oligonucleotide). The resulting selective and covalent immobilization of the ligand via a 16 atom, hydrophilic linker arm enables the oligonucleotide bases to freely bind to the target sequence. The proposed method provides affinity supports that might be used in large scale affinity purification of plasmid DNA.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The removal of fluorescence in sequencing-by-synthesis

Fluorescent oligonucleotides provide useful way to study DNA during the sequencing-by-synthesis process. They allow researchers to determine the sequence of a short DNA strand. Fluorescence created by these chemicals must be removed after a few based pairs are read in order to continue reading the DNA sequence. Researchers have developed a variety of methods to solve this problem. This paper reviews the development of fluorescence removal in DNA sequencing and summarizes several methods of removing the fluorescence.     

OLFinder-a program which disentangles DNA sequences containing heterozygous indels

The presence of heterozygous indels in a DNA sequence usually results in the sequence being discarded. If the sequence trace is of high enough quality, however, it will contain enough information to reconstruct the two constituent sequences with very little ambiguity. Solutions already exist using comparisons with a known reference sequence, but this is often unavailable for nonmodel organisms or novel DNA regions. I present a program which determines the sizes and positions of heterozygous indels in a DNA sequence and reconstructs the two constituent haploid sequences. No external data such as a reference sequence or other prior knowledge are required. Simulation suggests an accuracy of >99% from a single read, with errors being eliminable by the inclusion of a second sequencing read, such as one using a reverse primer. Diploid sequences can be fully reconstructed across any number of heterozygous indels, with two overlapping sequencing reads almost always sufficient to infer the entire DNA sequence. This eliminates the need for costly and laborious cloning, and allows data to be used which would otherwise be discarded. With no more laboratory work than is needed to produce two normal sequencing reads, two aligned haploid sequences can be produced quickly and accurately and with extensive phasing information.     

Two-step cycle sequencing improves base ambiguities and signal dropouts in DNA sequencing reactions using energy-transfer-based fluorescent Dye terminators

The use of automated fluorescent DNA sequencer systems and PCR-based DNA sequencing methods plays an important role in the actual effort to improve the efficiency of large-scale DNA analysis. While dideoxy-terminators labeled with energy-transfer dyes (BigDyes) provide the most versatile method of automated DNA sequencing, premature terminations result in a substantially reduced reading length of the DNA sequence. Premature terminations are usually evidenced by base ambiguities and are often accompanied by diminished signal intensity from that point on in the sequence. I studied a two-step protocol for Taq cycle sequencing using the ABI BigDye terminator for reducing premature terminations in DNA sequences. I demonstrate that combining the annealing step with the extension step at one temperature (60°C) reduces premature terminations in DNA sequences that regularly contain premature terminations when the three temperature steps are used. This modification significantly increases the number of accurately read bases in DNA sequences.     

Identification and authentication of animal cell culture by polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence analysis were used to identify the species origin of cell lines used in a cell culture facility where various cell lines of different species are routinely propagated. The aldolase gene family was selected for PCR amplification because the DNA sequences of this gene are highly conserved over a wide range of animals and humans. A total of 36 cell lines representing 13 different species were selected for this study. The DNA from each cell line was amplified, and PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed unique profiles of amplified bands on agarose gels that allowed differentiation among non-closely related species. However, DNA amplification of closely related species, including rat and mouse or human and primate, resulted in similar and indistinguishable banding patterns that could be further differentiated by DNA sequence analysis. These results suggested that aldolase gene amplification coupled with DNA sequence analysis is a useful tool for identification of cell lines and has potential application for use in identification of interspecies cross-contamination.     

A cost-effective plasmid purification protocol suitable for fluorescent automated DNA sequencing

A cost-effective, reliable, and reproducible method has been developed to produce good-quality, double-stranded plasmid DNA for automated sequence analysis. The method incorporates modifications to a previously described plasmid-purification protocol used in manual sequencing. The quality of the DNA produced from the present protocol is suitable for automated fluorescent sequencing. Using a dye-terminator sequencing protocol, most runs using plasmid DNA prepared using this protocol produced over 700 bases with greater than 99% base-calling accuracy.     

Cloning of eukaryotic genes in single-strand phage vectors: the human interferon genes

Using oligonucleotide probes with defined sequences, we have selected clones from a human lymphocyte cDNA library which represent human leukocyte (HuIFN-α) and fibroblast (HuIFN-β) interferon gene sequences. Double-stranded f1 phage DNA was used as the vector for initial cloning of cDNA. Clones carrying interferon gene sequences were identified by hybridization with the oligonucleotide probes. The same oligonucleotide probes were used as primers for dideoxy chain termination sequencing of the clones. One HuIFN-α clone, 201, has a nucleotide sequence different from published HuIFN-α sequences. Under control of the lacUV5 promoter, the 201 gene has been used to express biologically active HuIFN-α in Escherichia coli.     

Accessing single nucleotide polymorphisms in genomic DNA by direct multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification on oligonucleotide microarrays

This study introduces a DNA microarray-based genotyping system for accessing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) directly from a genomic DNA sample. The described one-step approach combines multiplex amplification and allele-specific solid-phase PCR into an on-chip reaction platform. The multiplex amplification of genomic DNA and the genotyping reaction are both performed directly on the microarray in a single reaction. Oligonucleotides that interrogate single nucleotide positions within multiple genomic regions of interest are covalently tethered to a glass chip, allowing quick analysis of reaction products by fluorescence scanning. Due to a fourfold SNP detection approach employing simultaneous probing of sense and antisense strand information, genotypes can be automatically assigned and validated using a simple computer algorithm. We used the described procedure for parallel genotyping of 10 different polymorphisms in a single reaction and successfully analyzed more than 100 human DNA samples. More than 99% of genotype data were in agreement with data obtained in control experiments with allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and capillary sequencing. Our results suggest that this approach might constitute a powerful tool for the analysis of genetic variation.     

Construction of Templates for Sequencing Extended DNA Fragments

A rapid and convenient method was proposed for constructing insertional mutants in the sequencing of extended DNA fragments. The gist is insertion of an antibiotic resistance gene in plasmid DNA digested with DNase I. DNase I provides for a uniform distribution of insertion sites along the plasmid, and the background is low owing to antibiotic-based selection. The method requires neither high quality nor large amounts of plasmid DNA (which is especially important with low-copied plasmids), yields the results independent of the plasmid nucleotide sequence, and allows highly accurate analysis and ordering of the insertional mutants.     

人神经生长因子基因的克隆及序列分析

以人基因组DNA为模板,采用PCR获得人神经生长因子(hNGF)基因,载体pGEM-T中,DNA序列分析克隆的hNGF基因与文献报道的完全一致。     

Purification and substrate specificity of polydeoxyribonucleotide kinases isolated from calf thymus and rat liver

Damage to DNA can result in strand breaks with 5′-hydroxyl and 3′-phosphate termini. Before DNA polymerases and ligases can rejoin the broken strands, such termini have to be restored to 5′-phosphate and 3′-hydroxyl groups. Polydeoxynucleotide kinase is an enzyme that may fulfil this function. We have purified the kinases from calf thymus and rat liver to near homogeneity. Based on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and activity gels, the enzymes from both sources are ∼60-kDa polypeptides. Both enzymes have an acidic pH optimum (5.5–6.0) for kinase activity, and similar pl values (8.5–8.6), and a specificity for DNA. The calf thymus kinase possesses a 3′-phosphatase activity, as has previously been shown for the rat liver enzyme. The minimum size of oligonucleotide that can be labelled is 7–8 nucleotides in length, but the optimal size appears to be >18 nucleotides. Comparison of phosphorylation of oligo(dA)₂₄ and oligo(dT)₂₄ with oligonucleotides containing a varied nucleotide sequence indicated that the homopolymers are poorer substrates. Unlike the bacteriophage T4 polynucleotide kinase, the mammalian kinases exhibit no preference for 5′-overhanging termini when acting at DNA termini produced by restriction enzymes. With double-stranded oligonucleotide complexes designed to model single-strand gaps and nicks, the mammalian kinases preferentially phosphorylate the 5′-terminus associated with the gap or nick, in keeping with the idea that the kinases are involved in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:258–272. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.