Identification of Acanthamoeba at the Generic and Specific Levels Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

ABSTRACT. We have adapted the polymerase chain reaction to identify strains of Acanthamoeba . Using computer-assisted analysis, primers were designed from an anonymous repetitive sequence and from published sequences of 18S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes of A. castellanii . Amplification of a short ribosomal DNA target (272 base pairs) at restrictive annealing conditions (>50° C) resulted in a single band that was unique for the genus and distinguished Acanthamoeba from Naegleria . This assay functioned with fresh and formalin-fixed cells as starting material. Amplification of longer targets (400–700 base pairs) at less restrictive annealing conditions (<47° C) led to more than one band. This multiple banding pattern could reproducibly classify Acanthamoeba at the strain level and was, in certain cases, diagnostic for known pathogenic strains. However, these assays need to be further refined to make them relevant for clinical purposes.     

Rapid Identification by Polymerase Chain Reaction of Staphylococcal Exfoliative Toxin Serotype A and B Genes

A new system was designed to detect staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A (ETA) and B (ETB) genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer pairs for the ETA gene (eta) were 20 and 20-mer, and its PCR product was a 741-bp eta fragment, while the primer pairs for the ETB gene (etb) were also 20 and 20-mer, and its PCR product was a 629-bp etb fragment. When these primers were simultaneously used in the PCR, the two types of ET were clearly detected as two bands in an ETA and ETB double-producer using only one colony within 3 hr. We examined 66 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) and compared the results obtained by ELISA and PCR. The same results were obtained for 56 of the strains, i.e., 30 strains were ETA producers, 20 strains were ETB producers, and 6 strains were double-producers. However, positive results were obtained for 5 of the 10 non-ET-producing strains. Two of these strains were judged by PCR as ETA producers and three as ETB producers. Thus, PCR is very sensitive and rapid in detecting ETA and ETB gene fragments in colonies isolated from patients with SSSS.     

Detection and Identification of cry1I Genes in Bacillus thuringiensis Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

A polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for detection and identification of cry1I genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was established. Based on the analysis of conserved regions of the cry1I genes, 2 oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify a 665-bp fragment of the genes. The amplification products were digested with restriction endonuclease HinfI or with RsaI in addition for specific detection of different variants from the known subclasses of cry1I genes. The PCR-RFLP pattern obtained revealed the detection of cry1I genes in 151 of 202 native Bt isolates. Furthermore, cry1I genes were detectable in 10 of 19 standard strains tested. The cry1Ia gene was the most abundant cry1I gene subclass present in 54 of 56 native Bt isolates and in 8 of 10 standard strains. Based on the results obtained, the PCR-RFLP method may be a valuable and reliable tool for specific detection and identification of cry1I genes.     

Identification of Selected Gamma-Ray Induced Deficiencies in Zebrafish Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

The ease with which mutations can be generated in zebrafish makes this vertebrate an important resource for developmental genetics and genome studies. We have developed a PCR-based screening method that allows the efficient identification of gamma-ray induced deficiencies targeted to selected sequences. We describe three mutants characteristic of our findings and show that these mutations include deletions and translocations that can affect as much as 1% of the genome. These deficiencies provide a basis for analyzing the functions of cloned zebrafish genes using noncomplementation screens for point mutations induced by high-efficiency chemical mutagenesis.     

Investigation on Natural Diets of Larval Marine Animals Using Peptide Nucleic Acid-Directed Polymerase Chain Reaction Clamping

The stomach contents of the larvae of marine animals are usually very small in quantity and amorphous, especially in invertebrates, making morphological methods of identification very difficult. Nucleotide sequence analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a likely approach, but the large quantity of larval (host) DNA present may mask subtle signals from the prey genome. We have adopted peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-directed PCR clamping to selectively inhibit amplification of host DNA for this purpose. The Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus) and eel (Anguilla japonica) were used as model host and prey organisms, respectively. A lobster-specific PNA oligomer (20 bases) was designed to anneal to the sequence at the junction of the 18 S rDNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the lobster. PCR using eukaryote universal primers for amplifying the ITS1 region used in conjunction with the lobster-specific PNA on a mixed DNA template of lobster and eel demonstrated successful inhibition of lobster ITS1 amplification while allowing efficient amplification of eel ITS1. This method was then applied to wild-caught lobster larvae of P. japonicus and P. longipes bispinosus collected around Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. ITS1 sequences of a wide variety of animals (Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Crustacea, Teleostei, Mollusca, and Chaetognatha) were detected.     

PCR在猴B病毒鉴定中的应用研究

目的为鉴定新分离毒株是否为B病毒.方法根据ScinicarielloF报道的引物,用PCR方法扩增BV147、HSV-1、HSV-2,对扩增产物进行SacⅡ内切酶消化.结果这一对引物可同时对这3种病毒进行扩增,但只有BV147的扩增产物可被SacⅡ内切酶切开.对BV147扩增片段克隆测序的结果证实,其与美国B病毒E2490株部分基因(UL27)相对应位置的核苷酸同源性为100%.结论初步建立了检测B病毒DNA的PCR方法并测定了新分离病毒毒株的部分基因序列,证明新分离的病毒为B病毒.     

运用PCR对小鼠植入前胚胎进行性别诊断

根据C57BL6小鼠Y染色体重复序列145C5的碱基顺序,设计并合成一对引物,运用PCR扩增昆明白小鼠入前胚胎卵裂球DNA,以确定其性别,共对108枚活检胚胎的相应卵裂球进行了性别诊断,获雄性胚46枚,雌性胚62枚,移植后分别获雄性仔鼠4只,准确率100％（4／4）,雌性仔鼠9只,准确率70％（9／13）,本研究结果表明小鼠Y染色体重复序列145C5的碱基顺序在C57BL6小鼠和昆明白小鼠中基本一致,为农牧业动物进行性别选择和运用PCR进行单基因病植入前遗传学诊断提供了方法学基础。     

用PCR突变技术克隆艾滋病病毒蛋白酶基因

作者设计并合成了一对用于PCR技术的突变引物HIV-1 Pr1和HIV-1Pr2,分别在两引物中设计了两个突变点,使突变后基因含有EcoRI、HindⅢ和TAA序列,便于HIV-1 Pr基因的定向克隆和表达。用HIV-1 Pr1和HIV-1 Pr2作引物,采用PCR方法从HIV-1基因组DNA中扩增出了一个360bp长的DNA片段,用EcoRI和HindⅢ双酶切法将此片段定向克隆入pUC19质粒,将克隆基因插入M13mp18进行DNA序列分析。结果表明,该基因序列的读框完全正确,从而为HIV-1 Pr基因的表达及抑制剂的研究奠定了基础。     

抗人小细胞肺癌单克隆抗体的重链变区基因的体外扩增、克隆和序列分析

本文从抗人小细胞肺癌单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞中抽提总RNA,合成第一链cDNA,直接用PCR技术(polymerase chain reaction)扩增出351bp的重链变区基因(V_H),克隆至pUCV_(NP)-PCR载体上,经筛选得一批插入片段为351bp的阳性克隆,经核苷酸序列分析研究,证实已获得了该单克隆抗体的重链可变区基因。     

Detection and Identification of Yersinia pestis by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Using Multiplex Primers

A PCR method for detection of Yersinia pestis-virulence determinants by the use of multiplex primers was developed. Four pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed from each gene of three kinds of virulent plasmids and a chromosomal DNA; 60-Md plasmid-located gene (caf1) encoding Y. pestis-specific capsular antigen fraction 1, a Y. pestis-specific region of a yopM gene encoded on 42-Md virulent plasmid, a plasminogen activator gene (pla) encoded on Y. pestis-specific 7-Md plasmid and an invasin protein gene (inv) encoded on chromosomal DNA. This multiplex-primer system was specific for the detection of Y. pestis among pathogenic Yersinia species and other enterobacteriaceae having antigens common to Y. pestis. Since this method is simple and safe, it will be useful to identify and confirm Y. pestis in cases of emergency and for the surveillance of epidemics.     

免疫球蛋白变区基因的体外扩增及人－鼠嵌合抗体的表达

应用聚合酶链反应法体外扩增抗人小细胞肺癌单克隆抗体的变区基因,经核苷酸序列分析,轻链变区基因为３２４ｂｐ,编码１０８个氨基酸;重链变区基因为３５１ｂｐ,编码１１７个氨基酸。将重链变区基因克隆至ｐＳＶ_２△ＨｇｐｔＨｕγ_３质粒,经一系列克隆、筛选,得一插入方向正确的表达人－鼠嵌合重链抗体的载体－ｐＳＶ_２△Ｈｇｐｔ２Ｆ７ＶＨＨｕγ_３。用电穿孔方法将该质粒导入鼠源骨髓瘤细胞Ｊ５５８Ｌ,用霉酚酸进行初步筛选,最终用兔抗人免疫球蛋白ＩｇＧＦｃ片段的抗体筛选得七株阳性克隆,免疫印迹法结果表明在与人ＩｇＧ相同位置上有一阳性条带。     

Sperm Mediated Transfer of Genes into Goldfish and Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Goldfish sperms were mixed with eggs for fertilization after incubation with antifreeze protein gene(AFP)from ocean pout for 30 min.A number of embryos and 145 adult goldfish were obtained.DNA from adult goldfish and embryos was extracted separately.Results of the amplification by PCRand Southern blot molecular hybridization indicate the integration of exogenous antifreeze gene intothe genome of a part of the recipient goldfish.Of the 45 samples detected by PCR,twelve showedpositive reaction with distinct hybridization band.The positive rate was 26%.     

肾综合征出血热病毒基因检测及分型的研究

根据流行于我国的两型ＨＦＲＳＶ代表株汉滩型７６１１８株及汉城型Ｒ２２株Ｍ节段的核酸序列,设计两型共同引物,建立了逆转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴＰＣＲ）方法,检测３９株从不同地区、不同宿主分离的ＨＦＲＳＶ感染鼠脑及细胞培养物;同时还建立了捕捉ＥＬＩＳＡ法（ｃＥＬＩＳＡ）,检测了３９株中的３６株,每份样本设复孔,以Ｐ／Ｎ≥２．１０且Ｐ－Ｎ≥０．１０者判为阳性。ＲＴＰＣＲ及ｃＥＬＩＳＡ两法的检出率分别为９７．６％与８２．４％,二者符合率８４．６％。此外,对ＲＴＰＣＲ产物进行酶切分型,３８份扩增产物中的１５份可被ＡｌｕＩ切开。根据所获酶切图谱的差异,可分为汉滩型及汉城型两型,显示了酶切分型的潜在价值     

应用聚合酶链反应突变和克隆HIV-lgag基因片段

作者设计并合成了一对突变引物PGO1和PGO2,分别在两引物中设计了两个突变点,使突变后基因含有EcoRI、BamHI和ATG及TAA序列,以便于HlV-1gag基因序列的定向克隆和表达。用PCO1和PGO2作引物,采用PCR方法从HIV-1基因组DNA中扩增出一个长504bp的DNA片段,用EcoRl和BamHI双酶切位点将此片段定向克隆入pUC19质粒。将克隆基因插入M13mp18进行DNA序列分析,结果表明,该基因序列及读框完全正确,且在其5′末端突变出EcoRI位点和ATG起始码,3′末端突变出TAA终业码和BamHI位点,从而为该基因的表达研究奠定了基础。     

Detection of the protozoan Neospora caninum Using in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction

A new method to detect the protozoan Neospora caninum using indirect in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is described. In situ PCR combines the advantages of the extraordinarily high sensitivity and specificity of PCR and the in situ representation of immunohistochemical methods. We describe an indirect in situ PCR, whereby the amplified products were detected using a primed in situ (PRINS) reaction with hapten-labeled nucleotides and visualized using fluorochrome-labeled antibodies. This technique was carried out in both infected cell cultures and formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. Clear signals were obtained in the N. caninum positive samples using in situ PCR, whereas control slides with Toxoplasma gondii infected tissues always yielded negative results.