Template-blocking PCR: An advanced PCR technique for genome walking

This article describes the development of an improved method for the isolation of genomic fragments adjacent to a known DNA sequence based on a cassette ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. To reduce the nonspecific amplification of PCR-based genome walking, the 3′ ends of the restriction enzyme-digested genomic DNA fragments were blocked with dideoxynucleoside triphosphate (ddNTP) and ligated with properly designed cassettes. The modified genomic DNA fragments flanked with cassettes were used as a template for the amplification of a target gene with a gene-specific primer (GSP) and a cassette primer (CP). The ddNTP blocking of the genomic DNA ends significantly reduced the nonspecific amplification and resulted in a simple and rapid walking along the genome. The efficiency of the template-blocking PCR method was confirmed by a carefully designed control experiment. The method was successfully applied for the cloning of the PGK1 promoter from Pichia ciferrii and two novel cellulase genes from Penicillium sp.     

Isolating promoters of multigene family members from the polyploid sugarcane genome by PCR-based walking in BAC DNA

The availability of a wider range of promoters for regulated expression in valuable transgenic crops would benefit functional genomics studies and current biotechnology programs aimed at improved productivity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genome walking techniques are commonly used to isolate promoters or 5' flanking genomic regions adjacent to known cDNA sequences in genomes that are not yet completely sequenced. However, these techniques are problematic when applied directly to DNA isolated from crops with highly complex and large genomes. An adaptor ligation-mediated PCR-based BAC genome walking method is described here for the efficient isolation of promoters of multigene family members, such as the putative defense and fiber biosynthesis DIRIGENT genes that are abundant in the stem of sugarcane, a species with a highly polyploid genome. The advantage of this method is the efficient and specific amplification of the target promoter using BAC genomic DNA as template for the adaptor ligation-mediated PCR walking.     

A novel strategy to design highly specific PCR primers based on the stability and uniqueness of 3'-end subsequences

MOTIVATION: In contrast with conventional PCR using a pair of specific primers, some applications utilize a single unique primer in combination with a common primer, thereby relying solely on the former for specificity. These applications include rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), adaptor-tagged competitive PCR (ATAC-PCR), PCR-mediated genome walking and so forth. Since the primers designed by conventional methods often fail to work in these applications, an improved strategy is required, particularly, for a large-scale analysis. RESULTS: Based on the structure of 'off-target' products in the ATAC-PCR, we reasoned that the practical determinant of the specificity of primers may not be the uniqueness of entire sequence but that of the shortest 3'-end subsequence that exceeds a threshold of duplex stability. We termed such a subsequence as a 'specificity-determining subsequence' (SDSS) and developed a simple algorithm to predict the performance of the primer: the algorithm identifies the SDSS of each primer and examines its uniqueness in the target genome. The primers designed using this algorithm worked much better than those designed using a conventional method in both ATAC-PCR and 5'-RACE experiments. Thus, the algorithm will be generally useful for improving various PCR-based applications.     

PCR依赖型方法构建高质量酵母基因突变文库

针对定向进化中利用亚克隆的方法建立酵母突变文库建库周期长、效率低、库容量低、丰度低等问题,建立了一种基于体内同源重组构建酵母整合型基因突变文库的新方法。步骤为：构建目标基因的重组表达质粒;以此为模版,设计长引物片段,PCR/易错PCR/DNA Shuffling等方法扩增得到两端带有与表达载体40~70 bp同源序列的突变基因;再利用PCR扩增得到表达载体;将扩增得到的目标基因和表达载体以一定的摩尔比混合电转化酵母,目标基因和表达载体在酵母体内同源重组成为完整的表达盒,整合入酵母基因组,获得基因突变文库。对构建的突变文库进行筛选,分别得到了酶活、蛋白表达量及热稳定性提高的突变株。该方法为完全PCR依赖型 (PDM),在体内构建表达盒,效率高,操作方便,将建库周期由2周缩短为3 d,将库容量从传统的103~104提高到105以上,库阳性率达到95％。     

基于PCR的染色体步移技术研究进展

基于PCR的染色体步移技术主要用于分离已知序列侧翼的未知序列,为分离基因、步移调控区域及填补基因组测序的空隙提供极大便利。基于PCR的染色体步移技术依照原理可分成依赖连接介导PCR法和不需要酶切连接PCR法。综述了近年来以PCR为基础的染色体步移技术,比较了这些方法的原理及操作步骤,同时总结了依赖连接介导PCR法和不需要酶切连接PCR法的优点与缺点,以期对研究起到借鉴作用。     

A hybrid-specific, polymerase chain reaction-based amplification approach for chromosomal walking

Here we report the development of an accurate and efficient genome walking approach based on ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and magnetic capture hybrid selection technique. This approach overcomes the nonspecific amplification products that often occur in similar PCR-based methods. Our strategy was successfully applied for the cloning of the promoter region of the Cc RNase gene. This rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive protocol can easily be extended for use in the isolation and amplification of any target sequences for which only partial information is known such as identification of the position of transposable elements and integrated viral DNA sequences.     

ISSR标记技术及其在遗传多样性研究中的应用

ISSR(Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat)技术是在PCR中直接使用微卫星序列进行DNA扩增的一种DNA分子标记。章主要介绍了ISSR标记的原理、方法、特点及其在遗传多样性研究中的应用。ISSR标记方法具有无需知道任何靶标序列的微卫星背景信息、遗传多态性高、检测快速等特点,在遗传多样性研究中具有广泛的应用前景。     

Signal amplification through nucleotide extension and excision on a dendritic DNA platform

Techniques that provide strong signal amplification are useful in diagnostic applications, especially in detecting low concentrations of non-amplifiable target molecules. A versatile and strong signal amplification method based on activities of a DNA polymerase to generate high concentrations of pyrophosphate (PPi) is described. The generation of PPi is catalyzed by nucleotide extension and excision activities of a DNA polymerase on an oligonucleotide cassette. The signal is generated upon enzymatic conversion of PPi to ATP and ATP levels subsequently detected with firefly luciferase. Bioluminesence produced by an oligonucleotide cassette consisting of just two polymerase reaction sites is sufficient to detect them at low attomole levels. The attachment of a large number of these oligonucleotide cassettes to DNA dendrimers enabled the detection of such polyvalent substrate molecules at low zeptomole (10^–21 mol) concentrations. The extent of signal amplification obtained with dendrimer substrates is comparable to exponential target amplifications provided by nucleic acid amplification methods. The attachment of such PPi-generating dendritic DNA platforms to ligands that mediate target recognition would potentially permit detection of extremely low concentrations of analytes in diagnostic assays.     

基于PCR的染色体步移中单引物扩增的克服与非特异引物的利用

基于PCR的染色体步移(PCR-Walking)方法已有许多种,包括反向PCR、连接介导的PCR、随机引物PCR等.在众多的方法中,经常存在由通用引物引起的单引物非特异扩增现象.本文综述了连接介导的PCR-Walking中单引物扩增的形成原理及克服方法.克服单引物扩增主要是使接头引物在DNA两端的接头上只有1个结合位点,从而避开单引物扩增.常用的方法有3′端加氨基修饰的不对称接头、泡泡状接头或Y字型接头及单寡核苷酸接头等方法.还介绍了2种利用通用引物非特异扩增克隆目的序列的方法:引物错配法及基于RAPD原理的单引物PCR法.     

Alternative Molecular Tests for Virological Diagnosis

Several nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAATs), particularly PCR and real-time PCR, are currently used in the routine clinical laboratories. Such approaches have allowed rapid diagnosis with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. However, conventional PCR methods have several intrinsic disadvantages such as the requirement for temperature cycling apparatus, and sophisticated and costly analytical equipments. Therefore, amplification at a constant temperature is an attractive alternative method to avoid these requirements. A new generation of isothermal amplification techniques are gaining a wide popularity as diagnostic tools due to their simple operation, rapid reaction and easy detection. The main isothermal methods reviewed here include loop-mediated isothermal amplification, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, and helicase-dependent amplification. In this review, design criteria, potential of amplification, and application of these alternative molecular tests will be discussed and compared to conventional NAATs.     

PCR detection of cryptosporidium: the way forward?

In this article, Una Morgan and Andrew Thompson briefly review the latest information on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in both clinical and environmental samples. Current detection methods for Cryptosporidium are cumbersome, time-consuming and lack sensitivity. A variety of PCR tests have been described recently in the literature and this article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each new technique and their potential for future diagnosis of Cryptosporidium.     

小金海棠MxYSL5启动子克隆技术的比较

分别利用3种基于PCR技术的染色体步移法克隆了小金海棠MxYLS5基因的启动子,并比较了这三个体系的扩增产物。3种体系都可以获得特异性扩增产物,但扩增条带的长度和数量均不同,其中利用Genome Walking Kit扩增出来的条带特异性较好长度最长,而且特异性引物和简并引物的设计及退火温度的设置对3种体系的扩增产物起着关键的作用。基于PCR技术的染色体步移法为小金海棠MxYLS5基因启动子的克隆提供了一个稳定可靠的技术手段。     

Optimized adaptor polymerase chain reaction method for efficient genomic walking

Genomic walking is one of the most useful approaches in genome-related research. Three kinds of PCR-based methods are available for this purpose. However, none of them has been generally applied because they are either insensitive or inefficient. Here we present an efficient PCR protocol, an optimized adaptor PCR method for genomic walking. Using a combination of a touchdown PCR program and a special adaptor, the optimized adaptor PCR protocol achieves high sensitivity with low background noise. By applying this protocol, the insertion sites of a gene trap mouse line and two gene promoters from the incompletely sequenced Xenopus laevis genome were successfully identified with high efficiency. The general application of this protocol in genomic walking was promising.     

Development of a versatile cassette for directional genome walking using cassette ligation-mediated PCR and its application in the cloning of complete lipolytic genes from Bacillus species

Since the invention of the PCR technology, adaptation techniques to clone DNA fragments flanking the known sequence continue to be developed. We describe a perfectly annealed cassette available in almost unlimited quantities with variable sticky-and blunt-end restriction enzyme recognition sites for efficient restriction and ligation with the restricted target genomic DNA. The cassette provides a 200-bp sequence, which is used to design a variety of cassette-specific primers. The dephosphorylation prevents cassette self-ligation and creates a nick at the cassette: target genome DNA ligation site suppressing unspecific PCR amplifications. We introduce the single-strand amplification PCR (SSA-PCR) technique where a lone known locus-specific primer is firstly used to enrich the targeted template DNA strand resulting in significant PCR product specificity during the second round conventional nested PCR. The distance between the known locus-specific primer and the nearest location of the restriction enzyme used determined the length of the obtained PCR product. We used this technique to walk downstream into the isochorismatase and upstream into the hypothetical conserved genes flanking the mature extracellular lipase gene from Bacillus licheniformis. We further demonstrated the potential of the technique as a cost-effective method during PCR-based prospecting for novel genes by designing "universal" degenerate primers that detected homologues of Family VII bacterial lipolytic genes in Bacillus species. The cassette ligation-mediated PCR was used to clone complete nucleotide sequences encoding functional lipolytic genes from B. licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus.     

A decade with nucleic acid‐based microbiological methods in safety control of foods

In the last decade, nucleic acid‐based methods gradually started to replace or complement the culture‐based methods and immunochemical assays in routine laboratories involved in food control. In particular, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was technically developed to the stage of good speed, sensitivity and reproducibility, at minimized risk of carry‐over contamination. Basic advantages provided by nucleic acid‐based methods are higher speed and added information, such as subspecies identification, information on the presence of genes important for virulence or antibiotic resistance. Nucleic acid‐based methods are attractive also to detect important foodborne pathogens for which no classical counterparts are available, namely foodborne pathogenic viruses. This review briefly summarizes currently available or developing molecular technologies that may be candidates for involvement in microbiological molecular methods in the next decade. Potential of nonamplification as well as amplification methods is discussed, including fluorescent in situ hybridization, alternative PCR chemistries, alternative amplification technologies, digital PCR and nanotechnologies.     

Advantages and disadvantages of using PCR techniques to characterize transgenic plants

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revolutionized molecular biology to a similar extent as the discovery of plasmids and restriction endonucleases. However, there are some limitations to the use of PCR. Transgenic plants containing potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) cDNA constructs, demonstrated to become de novo methylated upon PSTVd infection, represent a good example to illustrate the advantages of PCR. PSTVd is a 359 nt long autonomously replicating plant pathogenic RNA where all of its enzymatic requirements are entirely provided by the host cell. In addition, viroids that propagate without a DNA intermediate barely tolerate nucleotide substitutions of their RNA genome without losing infectivity. PCR is the method of choice to characterize the sequence context of genome-integrated viroid cDNA or of reverse transcribed PSTVd RNA, and can hardly be replaced by any alternative procedure. Furthermore, the precise examination of DNA methylation patterns (genomic sequencing) is entirely dependent on PCR. In contrast, the use of PCR is critical for the determination of copy number and arrangement of transgene constructs. Here, the advantages and disadvantages of PCR are discussed and protocols for PCR amplification of cDNA, genomic DNA, and bisulfite-treated DNA from transgenic plants are presented.     

真核生物转座子鉴定和分类计算方法

重复序列是真核生物基因组的重要组成成分,根据其序列特征及在基因组中的存在形式,可以进一步分为串联重复、片段重复和散在重复。其中,散在重复大多起源于转座子。根据转座介质的不同,转座子又可分为DNA和逆转录转座子。转座子的转座和扩增对基因的进化和基因组的稳定具有显著的影响;同时与其他类型的重复序列相比,转座子的结构和分类更为复杂多样,使得对转座子的鉴定和分类更为复杂和困难。鉴于此,文章简要概括了转座子的功能及分类,总结了真核生物转座子鉴定、分类和注释的3个步骤:(1)重复序列库的构建;(2)重复序列的校正和分类;(3)基因组注释。着重介绍了每一步骤所采用的不同计算方法,比较了不同方法的优缺点。只有把多种方法结合起来使用才能实现全基因组转座子的精确鉴定、分类和注释,这将为转座子的全基因组鉴定和分类提供借鉴意义。     

反义技术研究进展

反义技术利用DNA或RNA分子通过Watson Crick碱基配对原则与目的基因的mRNA互补结合 ,通过各种机制使其降解或抑制其编码蛋白的翻译 ,从而抑制目的基因的表达。与基因敲除(geneknockout)等功能缺失性研究方法相比 ,反义技术具有投入少 ,周期短 ,操作简单等优点 ,因此受到了广泛的关注。对几种常用反义技术的研究进展及存在的问题进行概述。     

A simple and efficient method to determine the terminal sequences of restriction fragments containing known sequences.

We present an improvement of the inverse PCR method for the determination of end sequences of restriction fragments containing unknown DNA sequences flanked by known segments. In this approach, a short "bridge" DNA is inserted during the self-ligation step of the inverse PCR technique. This bridge DNA acts as primer annealing sites for amplification and subsequent direct sequencing. Successive PCR amplifications enable selective amplification of the unknown sequences from a complex mixture. Unlike previously described methods, our method does not require special materials, such as synthetic adapters or biotinylated primers that must be prepared each time to adapt the target. Furthermore, no complex steps such as dephosphorylation or purification are needed. Our method can save time and reduce the cost of cloning unknown sequences; it is ideal for routine, rapid gene walking. We applied this method to a GC-rich bacterial genome and succeeded in determining the end sequences of a 4.5-kb fragment.