Incorporation of measurement of DNA integrity into qPCR assays

Optimal accuracy of quantitative PCR (qPCR) requires correction for integrity of the target sequence. Here we combine the mathematics of the Poisson distribution and exponential amplification to show that the frequency of lesions per base (which prevent PCR amplification) can be derived from the slope of the regression line between cycle threshold (Ct) and amplicon length. We found that the amplifiable fraction (AF) of a target can be determined from this frequency and the target length. Experimental results from this method correlated with both the magnitude of a damaging agent and with other measures of DNA damage. Applying the method to a reference sequence, we determined the values for lesions/base in control samples, as well as in the AFs of the target sequence in qPCR samples collected from leukemic patients. The AFs used to calculate the final qPCR result were generally >0.5, but were <0.2 in a few samples, indicating significant degradation. We conclude that DNA damage is not always predictable; quantifying the DNA integrity of a sample and determining the AF of a specific qPCR target will improve the accuracy of qPCR and aid in the interpretation of negative results.     

DNA damage in plant herbarium tissue

Dried plant herbarium specimens are potentially a valuable source of DNA. Efforts to obtain genetic information from this source are often hindered by an inability to obtain amplifiable DNA as herbarium DNA is typically highly degraded. DNA post-mortem damage may not only reduce the number of amplifiable template molecules, but may also lead to the generation of erroneous sequence information. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of DNA post-mortem damage is essential to determine the accuracy of molecular data from herbarium specimens. In this study we present an assessment of DNA damage as miscoding lesions in herbarium specimens using 454-sequencing of amplicons derived from plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA. In addition, we assess DNA degradation as a result of strand breaks and other types of polymerase non-bypassable damage by quantitative real-time PCR. Comparing four pairs of fresh and herbarium specimens of the same individuals we quantitatively assess post-mortem DNA damage, directly after specimen preparation, as well as after long-term herbarium storage. After specimen preparation we estimate the proportion of gene copy numbers of plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA to be 2.4-3.8% of fresh control DNA and 1.0-1.3% after long-term herbarium storage, indicating that nearly all DNA damage occurs on specimen preparation. In addition, there is no evidence of preferential degradation of organelle versus nuclear genomes. Increased levels of C→T/G→A transitions were observed in old herbarium plastid DNA, representing 21.8% of observed miscoding lesions. We interpret this type of post-mortem DNA damage-derived modification to have arisen from the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine during long-term herbarium storage. Our results suggest that reliable sequence data can be obtained from herbarium specimens.     

Array-MAPH: a methodology for the detection of locus copy-number changes in complex genomes

High-throughput genome-wide screening methods to detect subtle genomic imbalances are extremely important for diagnostic genetics and genomics. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for a microarray-based technique, applying the principle of multiplex amplifiable probe hybridization (MAPH). Methodology and software have been developed for designing unique PCR-amplifiable sequences (400-600 bp) covering any genomic region of interest. These sequences are amplified, cloned and spotted onto arrays (targets). A mixture of the same sequences (probes) is hybridized to genomic DNA immobilized on a membrane. Bound probes are recovered and quantitatively amplified by PCR, labeled and hybridized to the array. The procedure can be completed in 4-5 working days, excluding microarray preparation. Unlike array-comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH), test DNA of specifically reduced complexity is hybridized to an array of identical small amplifiable target sequences, resulting in increased hybridization specificity and higher potential for increasing resolution. Array-MAPH can be used for detection of small-scale copy-number changes in complex genomes, leading to genotype-phenotype correlations and the discovery of new genes.     

Optimized Quantification of Fragmented,Free Circulating DNA in Human Blood Plasma Using a Calibrated Duplex Real-Time PCR

Background

Duplex real-time PCR assays have been widely used to determine amounts and concentrations of free circulating DNA in human blood plasma samples. Circulatory plasma DNA is highly fragmented and hence a PCR-based determination of DNA concentration may be affected by the limited availability of full-length targets in the DNA sample. This leads to inaccuracies when counting PCR target copy numbers as whole genome equivalents.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A model system was designed allowing for assessment of bias in a duplex real-time PCR research assay. We collected blood plasma samples from male donors in pools of 6 to 8 individuals. Circulatory plasma DNA was extracted and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Separated DNA was recovered from the gel in discrete size fractions and analyzed with different duplex real-time PCR Taqman assays detecting a Y chromosome-specific target and an autosomal target. The real-time PCR research assays used differed significantly in their ability to determine the correct copy number ratio of 0.5 between Y chromosome and autosome targets in DNA of male origin. Longer PCR targets did not amplify quantitatively in circulatory DNA, due to limited presence of full-length target sequence in the sample.

Conclusions

PCR targets of the same small size are preferred over longer targets when comparing fractional circulatory DNA concentrations by real-time PCR. As an example, a DYS14/18S duplex real-time PCR research assay is presented that correctly measures the fractional concentration of male DNA in a male/female mixture of circulatory, fragmented DNA.     

Detection and enumeration of bacteria in soil by direct DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction.

In order to develop a rapid and specific detection test for bacteria in soil, we improved a method based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Each step of the protocol, including direct lysis of cells, DNA purification, and PCR amplification, was optimized. To increase the efficiency of lysis, a step particularly critical for some microorganisms which resist classical techniques, we used small soil samples (100 mg) and various lytic treatments, including sonication, microwave heating, and thermal shocks. Purification of nucleic acids was achieved by passage through up to three Elutip d columns. Finally, PCR amplifications were optimized via biphasic protocols using booster conditions, lower denaturation temperatures, and addition of formamide. Two microorganisms were used as models: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which is naturally absent from the soil used and was inoculated to calibrate the validity of the protocol, and Frankia spp., an actinomycete indigenous to the soil used. Specific primers were characterized either in the plasmid-borne vir genes for A. tumefaciens or in the variable regions of the 16S ribosomal gene for Frankia spp. Specific detection of the inoculated A. tumefaciens strain was routinely obtained when inocula ranged from 10(7) to 10(3) cells. Moreover, the strong correlation we observed between the size of the inocula and the results of the PCR reactions permitted assessment of the validity of the protocol in enumerating the number of microbial cells present in a soil sample. This allowed us to estimate the indigenous population of Frankia spp. at 0.2 x 10(5) genomes (i.e., amplifiable target sequences) per g of soil.     

A test of the multiplex pre-amplification approach in microsatellite genotyping of wolverine faecal DNA

Recently, a two-step PCR approach, referred to as multiplex pre-amplification, was proposed to improve microsatellite amplification from non-invasive samples such as faecal DNA. Here, we compare this new approach to standard PCR with respect to amplification success and genotyping error rates in microsatellite analysis (18 markers) of wolverine faecal DNA (48 extracts initially shown to contain amplifiable DNA). The multiplex pre-amplification approach was clearly advantageous both in terms of successful PCR amplifications (91% vs. 80%) and allelic dropout rate (2.4% vs. 12.5%). However, dropouts were to a high extent repeated in all second-step amplifications following multiplex pre-amplification, indicative of being generated during the initial PCR. Analysing more than one PCR from the initial multiplex PCR product may thus be of limited value. We instead suggest to perform two initial multiplex PCRs and to analyse a single second-step PCR from each of them. This was tested for 22 extracts at 18 loci and proved to be an effective way to obtaining a correct genotype.     

Comparison of three methods for DNA extraction from bone remains

Extraction of amplifiable DNA is a frequent problem when working with degraded specimens like bone samples. The possibility of obtaining as much information as possible from these samples has a particular significance in many forensic investigations. The present investigation was aimed to assess the efficiency of three organic extraction methods for purifying amplifiable DNA from bone samples. The amount of nucleic acids obtained, the success rate in the amplification of DNA microsatellite (STR) markers and amelogenin by PCR, the influence of PCR inhibitors and environmental conditions, and where the samples were found before their processing in the laboratory, were all evaluated in this investigation for the three methods. Results showed that method A (a modification of FBI method for DNA extraction) performed better in producing not a higher amount but a better quality amplifiable DNA, in comparison with the other two methods evaluated. It was also demonstrated that the quality of the DNA to be amplified by PCR was influenced by the presence of inhibitors and/or contaminants and the environmental conditions where the bone sample was taken from. The worst conditions were observed from aquatic environments. The results suggest that the implementation of some specific modifications in the method A (use of purification columns, reliable quantification methods and different dilutions) would help to obtain better DNA extracts intended to be used in different molecular identification tests.     

蛋白质检测新技术——邻位连接技术及初步应用

邻位连接技术（proximity ligation assay,PLA）,是新研发的一项高灵敏度的蛋白质体外分析技术。该方法利用一对邻位探针（proximity probes）对靶分子进行双识别,通过连接反应产生可扩增的检测信号,以实时 PCR进行放大和检测,将对蛋白质的检测转变成为对DNA的检测,实现痕量蛋白的分析,具有极高的检测灵敏度和特异性。综述了邻位连接技术的原理、研究进展以及该技术在蛋白质分析及疾病诊断领域的初步应用。     

qPCR-based mitochondrial DNA quantification: influence of template DNA fragmentation on accuracy

Real-time PCR (qPCR) is the method of choice for quantification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) by relative comparison of a nuclear to a mitochondrial locus. Quantitative abnormal mtDNA content is indicative of mitochondrial disorders and mostly confines in a tissue-specific manner. Thus handling of degradation-prone bioptic material is inevitable. We established a serial qPCR assay based on increasing amplicon size to measure degradation status of any DNA sample. Using this approach we can exclude erroneous mtDNA quantification due to degraded samples (e.g. long post-exicision time, autolytic processus, freeze-thaw cycles) and ensure abnormal DNA content measurements (e.g. depletion) in non-degraded patient material. By preparation of degraded DNA under controlled conditions using sonification and DNaseI digestion we show that erroneous quantification is due to the different preservation qualities of the nuclear and the mitochondrial genome. This disparate degradation of the two genomes results in over- or underestimation of mtDNA copy number in degraded samples. Moreover, as analysis of defined archival tissue would allow to precise the molecular pathomechanism of mitochondrial disorders presenting with abnormal mtDNA content, we compared fresh frozen (FF) with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) skeletal muscle tissue of the same sample. By extrapolation of measured decay constants for nuclear DNA (λnDNA) and mtDNA (λmtDNA) we present an approach to possibly correct measurements in degraded samples in the future. To our knowledge this is the first time different degradation impact of the two genomes is demonstrated and which evaluates systematically the impact of DNA degradation on quantification of mtDNA copy number.     

Molecular characterization of B cell clonal expansions in the liver of chronically hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

PCR DNA amplification of IgH genes was performed on liver biopsy samples of 42 unselected hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients. Genotypic analysis and signal amplification by branched DNA were used to characterize and quantitate HCV RNA genomic sequences. Intraportal lymphoid follicle-like structures were isolated from surrounding hepatocytes by microdissection technique. IgH VDJ PCR products were cloned and sequenced. IgH VDJ gene rearrangements were detected in the liver of 26 (62%) patients. Unequivocal monoclonal or oligoclonal patterns of B cell expansions were found in 14 (33.3%) and 12 (28.6%) patients, respectively. Patients with intrahepatic B cell monoclonal expansions showed liver HCV RNA levels higher than those with oligoclonal or polyclonal features (1106.4 +/- 593.5 vs 677.3 +/- 424.3 vs 406.2 +/- 354.3 pg HCV RNA/g tissue; p = 0.048 and p = 0.001, respectively). Although a single dominant band was obtained with total DNA, characterization of DNA recovered from intraportal inflammatory aggregates resulted in the detection of multiple IgH VDJ gene rearrangements, pointing to an oligoclonal pattern of lymphoproliferation. Cloning and sequence analyses showed that B cell clonalities were differently distributed in adjacent portal tracts of the same liver area. In addition, HCV RNA genomic sequences could be consistently amplified from each of the portal inflammatory aggregates examined. These data support the concept that in chronic HCV infection the intrahepatic B cell repertoire is frequently clonally restricted and that HCV may have a direct role in sustaining in situ B cell proliferation.     

A novel approach for extraction of PCR-compatible DNA from activated sludge samples collected from different biological effluent treatment plants

This paper describes a method that facilitates the extraction of PCR-compatible DNA from different activated sludge samples. The approach involves a novel preprocessing step in DNA extraction, which removes potential PCR inhibitors. The sludge was washed with different ratios of acetone and petroleum ether after pretreatment with 0.01% Tween-20 at 50 degrees C. It was observed that an initial washing step with 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 9.0, before the detergent-solvent step, improved the quality of the extracted DNA. The extraction protocol resulted in amplifiable amounts of DNA when 10 mg of a sludge sample was used, even in the presence of phenol as a sludge contaminant. The usefulness of the extracted template was demonstrated by carrying out different PCR reactions. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns demonstrated the diversity of sludge samples.     

DNA extraction method for PCR in mycorrhizal fungi

AIMS: To develop a simple and rapid DNA extraction protocol for PCR in mycorrhizal fungi. METHODS AND RESULTS: The protocol combines the application of rapid freezing and boiling cycles and passage of the extracts through DNA purification columns. PCR amplifiable DNA was obtained from a number of endo- and ecto-mycorrhizal fungi using minute quantities of spores and mycelium, respectively. CONCLUSION: DNA extracted following the method, was used to successfully amplify regions of interest from high as well as low copy number genes. The amplicons were suitable for further downstream applications such as sequencing and PCR-RFLPs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The protocol described is simple, short and facilitates rapid isolation of PCR amplifiable genomic DNA from a large number of fungal isolates in a single day. The method requires only minute quantities of starting material and is suitable for mycorrhizal fungi as well as a range of other fungi.     

Rapid capture of DNA targets

A rapid capture technique was developed to efficiently isolate specific DNA targets from a variety of genomes. The specificity can be easily adapted to any target for which partial sequence is known, allowing for the isolation of a wide set of target molecules from either characterized or uncharacterized genomes. These targets include but are not limited to transposable elements, microsatellites, repetitive sequences, and possibly unique sequences. Additionally, because the thermodynamics of nucleic acid hybridizations differ from processes such as PCR, a wider variety of targets with a range of mismatches to any customized probe can be isolated. Further this method allows sequences flanking known internal regions to be co-isolated, facilitating the development of flanking primers for downstream applications. Considerable reduction in the frequency of nonspecific binding between key components (background) obviates the need for subsequent screening steps. Rapid capture of DNA targets quickly provides information about target and flanking sequences.     

Quantitation of viral DNA by real-time PCR applying duplex amplification, internal standardization, and two-color fluorescence detection

A real-time PCR method was developed to quantitate viral DNA that includes duplex amplification, internal standardization, and two-color fluorescence detection without the need to generate an external standardization curve. Applied to human parvovirus B19 DNA, the linear range was from 10(2) to at least 5 x 10(6) copies per ml of sample. The coefficient of variation was 0.29 using a run control of 2,876 copies per ml. The method reduces the risk of false-negative results, yields high precision, and is applicable for other DNA targets.     

An efficient method for the extraction of DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue by sonication

A method was developed for fast and efficient isolation of DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections for subsequent use in PCRs and DNA hybridization assays. The method relies on the use of a sonicating water bath to disrupt tissue samples to which a small amount of micro-sized glass beads have been added. The sonicating glass beads provide fast and efficient physical shearing of fixed tissue sections, allowing for quick release and solubilization of the DNA. The extraction process from paraffin section to amplifiable target DNA takes 30 minutes. The method eliminates the need for repetitive solvent extractions and exhaustive proteinase K digestion. PCR amplification of human genomic and viral target sequences was successfully carried out on DNA isolated from a number of different types of normal and infected tissues.     

Quantitation of Viral DNA by Real-Time PCR Applying Duplex Amplification, Internal Standardization, and Two-Color Fluorescence Detection

A real-time PCR method was developed to quantitate viral DNA that includes duplex amplification, internal standardization, and two-color fluorescence detection without the need to generate an external standardization curve. Applied to human parvovirus B19 DNA, the linear range was from 10² to at least 5 × 10⁶ copies per ml of sample. The coefficient of variation was 0.29 using a run control of 2,876 copies per ml. The method reduces the risk of false-negative results, yields high precision, and is applicable for other DNA targets.     

Reliability of the RNA-DNA Filter Hybridization for the Detection of Oncornavirus-Specific DNA Sequences

Denatured DNA from leukemic myeloblasts or uninfected chicken embryos, immobilized on nitrocellulose filters, was hybridized to a vast excess of [(3)H]70S RNA from purified avian myeloblastosis virus. The viral RNA was eluted from the RNA-DNA hybrids, purified, and then rehybridized in solution to an excess of either leukemic or normal chicken embryonic DNA. This study revealed that all the slow and the fast hybridizing viral RNA sequences detectable by liquid hybridization in DNA excess had hybridized to the filter bound DNA. Both techniques also gave similar values for the number of 28S ribosomal RNA genes contained in a chicken cell genome: 210 by the liquid hybridization procedure and 218 by the filter hybridization technique. Therefore, filter hybridization can accurately detect DNA sequences present in relatively few numbers in the genome of higher organisms.     

Identification of the avian myeloblastosis virus genome. II. Restriction endonuclease analysis of DNA from lambda proviral recombinants and leukemic myeoblast clones.

Two lambda proviral DNA recombinants were characterized with a number of restriction endonucleases. One recombinant contained a complete presumptive avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) provirus flanked by cellular sequences on either side, and the second recombinant contained 85% of a myeloblastosis-associated virus type 1 (MAV-1)-like provirus with cellular sequences adjacent to the 5' end of the provirus. Comparing the restriction maps for the proviral DNAs contained in each lambda hybrid showed that the putative AMV and MAV-1-like genomes shared identical enzyme sites for 3.6 megadaltons beginning at the 5' termini of the proviruses with respect to viral RNA. Two enzyme sites near the 3'-end of the MAV-1-like provirus were not present in the putative AMV genome. We also examined a number of leukemic myeloblast clones for proviral content and cell-provirus integration sites. The presumptive AMV provirus was present in all the leukemic myeloblast clones regardless of the endogenous proviral content of the target cells or the AMV pseudotype used for conversion. Multiple cellular sites were suitable for integration of the putative AMV genome and the helper genomes. The proviral genomes were all integrated colinearly with respect to linear viral DNA.     

Polymerase chain reaction amplification of naphthalene-catabolic and 16S rRNA gene sequences from indigenous sediment bacteria.

We report the amplification of bacterial genes from uninoculated surface and subsurface sediments by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR amplification of indigenous bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA genes was unsuccessful when subsurface sediment containing approximately 10(7) cells.g-1 was added directly to a PCR mixture. However, when 10 mg of sediment was inoculated with approximately 10(5) cells of Pseudomonas putida G7, the nahAc naphthalene dioxygenase gene characteristic of the P. putida G7 NAH7 plasmid was detected by PCR amplification. Southern blotting of the PCR amplification product improved sensitivity to 10(3) to 10(4) cells from samples inoculated with P. putida G7, but controls with no sediment added showed that the PCR was partially inhibited by the sediments. Lysozyme-sodium dodecyl sulfate-freeze-thaw DNA extraction was combined with gel electrophoretic partial purification in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone to render DNA from indigenous bacteria in surface or subsurface sediment samples amplifiable by PCR using eubacterial 16S ribosomal DNA primers. The nahAc gene could also be amplified from indigenous bacteria by using nahAc-specific primers when PCR conditions were modified by increasing Taq and primer concentrations. Restriction digests of the nahAc amplification products from surface and subsurface sediments revealed polymorphism relative to P. putida G7. The procedures for DNA extraction, purification, and PCR amplification described here demonstrate that the PCR is a potentially useful tool in studies of function- and taxon-specific DNA from indigenous microbial communities in sediment and groundwater environments.