An effective DNA extraction protocol for brown algae

Successful extraction of total DNA from brown algae, which are generally polysaccharide and polyphenol rich, is often problematic using current methods. Persistent polysaccharide and polyphenolic compounds can hinder further application of modern molecular techniques requisite to molecular‐based evolutionary studies. Our broad and long‐term research goals with fucalean taxa, especially Sargassum, and problems with existing DNA extraction methods were an impetus to develop a reliable DNA extraction method. Initial research established hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) based total‐DNA methods as the most viable for further empirical development. Several constituents effective at either complexing secondary compounds or creating a reductive extraction environment were increased in concentration or added to the extraction buffer. These seemingly minor changes resulted in the creation of a highly reductive extraction buffer and effective total‐ DNA harvesting technique. We detail these modifications and demonstrate the reliability of the modified protocol with a variety of brown algae and tissue preservation methods. Such DNA is shown to be suitable for a variety of molecular techniques.     

A simplified universal genomic DNA extraction protocol suitable for PCR

Conventional genomic DNA extraction protocols need expensive and hazardous reagents for decontamination of phenolic compounds from the extracts and are only suited for certain types of tissue. We developed a simple, time-saving and cost-efficient method for genomic DNA extraction from various types of organisms, using relatively innocuous reagents. The protocol employs a single purification step to remove contaminating compounds, using a silica column and a non-hazardous buffer, and a chaotropic-detergent lysing solution that hydrolyzes RNA and allows the selective precipitation of DNA from cell lysates. We used this system to extract genomic DNA from different tissues of various organisms, including algae (Dunaliella salina), human peripheral blood, mouse liver, Escherichia coli, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Mean DNA yields were 20-30 μg/cm(3) from fresh tissues (comparable to yields given by commercial extraction kits), and the 260/280 nm absorbance ratio was 1.8-2.0, demonstrating a good degree of purity. The extracted DNA was successfully used in PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and for recombinant selection studies.     

FRACTIONATION OF NUCLEAR,CHLOROPLAST, AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FROM POLYSIPHONIA BOLDII (RHODOPHYTA) USING A RAPID AND SIMPLE METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ISOLATION OF RNA AND DNA1

Extraction of nucleic acids from red algae is complicated by the presence of phycocolloids. For this reason, methods used for nucleic acid isolation from other organisms are not always amenable to use with red algal preparations; modifications in some cases lead to protocols that are time consuming and complicated, often requiring large amounts of algal tissue for starting material. Here we describe the isolation of both RNA and DNA followed by fractionation and identification of nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNAs from a single preparation of Polysiphonia boldii Wynne and Edwards using a simple method that yielded approximately 100 μg of total RNA and 20 μg of total DNA from 1 g of frozen powdered algae. The potent protein denaturant guanidinium thiocyanate and the detergent sarkosyl were used to gently lyse the cells and organelles and immediately inhibit nuclease activity in the extract. The nucleic acids were isolated by ultracentrifugation into a dense solution of CsCl; the RNA was recovered as a pellet and the DNA as a band within the CsCl solution. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the total RNA showed discrete ribosomal RNA bands, indicating little nonspecific degradation. The nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNAs were fractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation in the presence of the DNA binding dye, bisbenzimide H (Hoechst 33258), which binds preferentially to DNA with a high A + T:G + C ratio, thus altering its density to a greater degree than it does that of DNA with a lower nucleotide ratio. The three fractions were identified by Southern blot analysis using heterologous gene probes specific for the different genomes. The protocol should be applicable to different types of algae. The simple nucleic acid isolation step can be performed on multiple samples simultaneously without subsequent fractionation of DNA, allowing comparison of DNA from different individuals, populations, or species.     

A FIELD-COMPATIBLE METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF FINGERPRINT-QUALITY DNA FROM MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

A method for extracting DNA from laminarialean algae resulting in DNA of sufficient quantity and purity for DNA fingerprints is presented. The method both eliminates the use of liquid N₂ and delays the use of toxic chemicals in the initial extraction steps; thus, it is appropriate for use in remote field locations. The algal samples were ground in a solution of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) at room temperature and then stored for 1 week in the CTAB-PVPP solution at room temperature before extraction with chloroform-isoamyl alcohol and purification by cesium chloride ultracentrifugation. No degradation of DNA was observed. Hybridization of RsaI-digested Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Ag. DNA with the M13repeat probe yielded a DNA fingerprint with 12 discrete bands 4–19 kb in molecular size.     

从土壤中提取DNA用于PCR扩增

设计、比较了5种直接从土壤中提取DNA的方法。实验结果表明这5种方法都可以从土壤中提取到长度大于15kb的DNA片段,但在不同方法间DNA的产量存在很大差异;初提的土壤DNA经进一步提纯后均可用于PCR反应,利用细菌16S rRNA基因和抗菌肽Shiva-1基因的引物都得到了相应的目的产物。其中方法5提取DNA产量最高,无明显降解,且重复性好,是一种从小量土壤样品中直接提取DNA的理想方法。     

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.     

OPTIMIZATION OF DNA EXTRACTION FROM BROWN ALGAE (PHAEOPHYCEAE) BASED ON A COMMERCIAL KIT1

Large‐scale DNA molecular studies require reliable and efficient tools for DNA extractions. However, for some plant species and brown algae, isolation of high‐quality DNA is difficult. We developed a novel method for isolating high‐quality DNA from the polysaccharide‐rich and polyphenol‐rich brown algae based on a commercial kit and protocol (Qiagen) by optimizing the lysis step and including a chloroform/isoamyl alcohol supplementary purification step. DNAs from 24 brown algal species extracted using the original and the modified Qiagen protocol were compared for yield, quality, and effectiveness in PCR amplification. There was no significant difference in the yields between protocols. However, a statistically significant increase in DNA purity was obtained with the modified protocol, for which the A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ and A₂₆₀/A₂₃₀ absorbance ratios averaged 1.66 ± 0.05 and 1.31 ± 0.01, respectively, compared to 1.37 ± 0.04 and 0.52 ± 0.04 with the original protocol. DNAs extracted by the modified procedure were more successfully amplified by PCR (nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplastic regions) than DNAs extracted using the original commercial kit and protocol. Importantly, the modified protocol can be applied in a high‐throughput (e.g., 96‐well plate) format, allowing a higher efficiency for downstream molecular analysis. In addition, improved DNA quality could increase its stability for long‐term storage.     

Recycling Isolation of Plant DNA,A Novel Method

DNA is one of the most basic and essential genetic materials in the field of molecular biology.To date,isolation of sufficient and good-quality DNA is still a challenge for many plant species,though various DNA extraction methods have been published.In the present paper,a recycling DNA extraction method was proposed.The key step of this method was that a single plant tissue sample was recycled for DNA extraction for up to four times,and correspondingly four DNA precipitations(termed as the 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th DNA sample, respectively) were conducted.This recycling step was integrated into the conventional CTAB DNA extraction method to establish a recycling CTAB method.This modified CTAB method was tested in eight plant species,wheat,sorghum,barley,corn,rice,Brachypodium distachyon,Miscanthus sinensis and tung tree.The results showed that high-yield and good-quality DNA samples could be obtained by using this new method in all the eight plant species.The DNA samples were good templates for PCR amplification of both ISSR and SSR markers.The recycling method can be used in multiple plant species and can be integrated with multiple conventional DNA isolation methods,and thus is an effective and universal DNA isolation method.     

Ancient DNA extraction from bones and teeth

This method is designed to maximize recovery of PCR-amplifiable DNA from ancient bone and teeth specimens and at the same time to minimize co-extraction of substances that inhibit PCR. This is achieved by a combination of DNA extraction from bone powder using a buffer consisting solely of EDTA and proteinase K, and purification of the DNA by binding to silica in the presence of high concentrations of guanidinium thiocyanate. All steps are performed at room temperature (20-23 degrees C), thereby reducing further degradation of the already damaged and fragile ancient DNA and providing an optimal trade-off between DNA release and degradation. Furthermore, the purification step removes most of the various types of PCR inhibitors present in ancient bone samples, thereby optimizing the amount of ancient DNA available for subsequent enzymatic manipulation, such as PCR amplification. The protocol presented here allows DNA extraction from ancient bone and teeth with a minimum of working steps and equipment and yields DNA extracts within 2 working days.     

An improved method to extract DNA from mango Mangifera indica

High quality genomic DNA is the first step in the development of DNA-based markers for fingerprinting and genetic diversity of crops, including mango (Mangifera indica L.), a woody perennial. Poor quality genomic DNA hinders the successful application of analytical DNA-based tools. Standard protocols for DNA extraction are not suitable for mango since the extracted genomic DNA often contains secondary metabolites that interfere with analytical applications. In this study, we employed an additional step to remove polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites from genomic DNA extracted from young or mature leaf tissue; then a modified traditional cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method was applied. The use of 0.4 M glucose improved DNA quality and avoided contamination and browning by polyphenolics, relative to the traditional CTAB method. This is an easy and efficient method for genomic DNA extraction from both young and mature leaves of mango. The isolated DNA was free of polysaccharides, polyphenols, RNA and other major contaminants, as judged by its clear colour, its viscosity, A²⁶⁰/A²⁸⁰ ratio and suitability for PCR-based reactions. This modified protocol was also used to extract high quality genomic DNA from other woody perennials, including walnut, guava, lychee, pear, grape and sugarcane.     

Selective Extraction of Bacterial DNA from the Surfaces of Macroalgae

A novel method has been developed for the selective extraction of DNA from surface-associated bacterial communities from the two model marine benthic algae Ulva australis and Delisea pulchra. The extracted DNA had no detectable contamination with host DNA, was recovered in high yield and quality, and was representative of the bacterial community on the algal surfaces. The DNA is suitable for a variety of subsequent applications, including the construction of large-insert clone libraries and metagenomic sequencing.     

Comparison of DNA extraction methods for human gut microbial community profiling

The human gut harbors a vast range of microbes that have significant impact on health and disease. Therefore, gut microbiome profiling holds promise for use in early diagnosis and precision medicine development. Accurate profiling of the highly complex gut microbiome requires DNA extraction methods that provide sufficient coverage of the original community as well as adequate quality and quantity. We tested nine different DNA extraction methods using three commercial kits (TianLong Stool DNA/RNA Extraction Kit (TS), QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (QS), and QIAamp PowerFecal DNA Kit (QP)) with or without additional bead-beating step using manual or automated methods and compared them in terms of DNA extraction ability from human fecal sample. All methods produced DNA in sufficient concentration and quality for use in sequencing, and the samples were clustered according to the DNA extraction method. Inclusion of bead-beating step especially resulted in higher degrees of microbial diversity and had the greatest effect on gut microbiome composition. Among the samples subjected to bead-beating method, TS kit samples were more similar to QP kit samples than QS kit samples. Our results emphasize the importance of mechanical disruption step for a more comprehensive profiling of the human gut microbiome.     

ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT DNA FROM FOSSIL CORALLINES (CORALLINALES,RHODOPHYTA)1

The field of molecular paleontology has recently made significant contributions to anthropology and biology. Hundreds of ancient DNA studies have been published, but none has targeted fossil coralline algae. Using regions of the SSU gene, we analyzed rDNA from fossil coralline algae of varying ages and states of preservation from Spain, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Specimens from PNG, GBR, and some localities from Spain did not contain endogenous ancient DNA. Reproducible sequence data were obtained from specimens ～550 years old from near Cadiz, Spain, and from rocky‐shore deposits in Carboneras, Almeria Province of Spain (～78,000 years before present [YBP]). Based on BLAST searches and a phylogenetic analysis of sequences, an undescribed coralline alga belonging to the Melobesioideae was discovered in the Carboneras material as well as the following coralline genera: Jania, Lithophyllum, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum, and Phymatolithon. DNA from fleshy brown and red macroalgae was also discovered in the specimens from Carboneras. The coralline algae identified using molecular techniques were in agreement with those based on morphological methods. The identified taxa are common in the present‐day southeastern Spain littoral zone. Amino acid racemization, concentration ratios, and specific concentrations failed to show a correlation between biomolecular preservation and PCR amplification success. Results suggest that molecular investigations on fossil algae, although limited by technical difficulties, are feasible. Validity of our results was established using authentication criteria and a self‐critical approach to compliance.     

Extraction of high-quality genomic DNA from latex-containing plants

The isolation of intact, high-molecular-mass genomic DNA is essential for many molecular biology applications including long PCR, endonuclease restriction digestion, Southern blot analysis, and genomic library construction. Many protocols are available for the extraction of DNA from plant material. However, for latex-containing Asteraceae (Cichorioideae) species, standard protocols and commercially available kits do not produce efficient yields of high-quality amplifiable DNA. A cetyltrimethylammonium bromide protocol has been optimized for isolation of genomic DNA from latex-containing plants. Key steps in the modified protocol are the use of etiolated leaf tissue for extraction and an overnight 25 degrees C isopropanol precipitation step. The purified DNA has excellent spectral qualities, is efficiently digested by restriction endonucleases, and is suitable for long-fragment PCR amplification.     

降香黄檀基因组DNA的提取方法研究

目的：建立适合降香黄檀基因组DNA的提取方法。方法：采用常规SDS法、常规CTAB法和改良CTAB法等3种方法提取降香黄檀叶片基因组DNA,经电泳、吸光度、酶切检测比较提取结果;对采用改良CTAB法提取的基因组DNA进行ISSR-PCR检测。结果：改良CTAB法通过增加洗涤样品步骤,有效去除了多糖和多酚类物质,提取的DNA质量好,无降解现象,无蛋白质、盐离子及RNA污染。结论：改良CTAB法是一种高效的提取方法,使用该方法所得DNA的质量完全能够满足相应的分子操作需要。     

DNA EXTRACTION METHODS FOR KELP (LAMINARIALES) TISSUE1

Newly adapted extraction methods for harvesting total cellular DNA from kelp (Laminariales; Phaeophyta) exploit the life-history stages of these heteromorphic algae. Earlier techniques, developed primarily for chloroplast DNA extraction, were time consuming and labor intensive and required large quantities of fresh sporophyte tissue. In contrast, the new methods expedite DNA extraction by employing dried sporophyte laminae or fresh gametophyte filaments and meiospores. The current methods require less tissue and procedural manipulation, reducing the time and labor involved in DNA extraction. Additionally, the current methods were successfully employed to extract DNA from herbarium specimens up to 22 years old. Total cellular DNA yields were 12.8 and 26.4 μg:g^?1 from dried laminae,: 1.9 and 11 μg from small volumes of concentrated gametophyte filaments (25 μL), and 43 to 54.5 μg from pellets of isolated meiospores (50 μL). Following purification on Sepharose columns, DNA from all three sources was sufficiently pure for molecular applications, including restriction endonuclease digestion, Southern blot-hybridizations, and amplification via the polymerase chain reaction.     

Improving the recovery of qPCR-grade DNA from sludge and sediment

DNA extraction is often considered as the limiting step of most molecular approaches in ecology and environmental microbiology. Ten existing DNA extraction protocols were compared for recovery of DNA from sludge and a modified version of the protocol described by Porteous et al. (Mol Ecol 6:787–791, 1997) was determined to be the best method for recovery of DNA suitable for PCR. In this respect, it appeared that the commonly used guanidine isothiocyanate could impair the quality of the extracted DNA unless its concentration is lowered. Second, conditioning the samples as liquors as opposed to pellets critically impacts the outcome of the extraction. The suitability of the modified Porteous protocol for quantitative PCR applications is demonstrated in a series of experiments showing the absence of interfering coextracted inhibitors and the linear correspondence between the concentrations of input target DNA and PCR product. Interestingly, it is also shown that the nature of the environmental matrices affects the recovery yield of both circular plasmids and chromosomal DNA, resulting in an apparent fluctuation of the plasmid copy number per cell. This means that quantitative data obtained by PCR remain comparable as long as they apply to an identical target sequence extracted from a similar environment and amplified under the same conditions.     

Rapid, one-step DNA extraction for insect pest identification by using DNA barcodes

Early detection of economically important insects is critical to preventing their establishment as serious pests. To accomplish this, tools for rapid and accurate species identification are needed. DNA barcoding, using short DNA sequences as species "genetic identification tags," has already shown large potential as a tool for rapid and accurate detection of economically important insects. DNA extraction is the critical first step in generating DNA barcodes and can be a rate-limiting step in very large barcoding studies. Consequently, a DNA extraction method that is rapid, easy to use, cost-effective, robust enough to cope with range of qualities and quantities of tissue, and can be adapted to robotic systems will provide the best method for high-throughput production of DNA barcodes. We tested the performance of a new commercial kit (prepGEM), which uses a novel, streamlined approach to DNA extraction, and we compared it with two other commercial kits (ChargeSwitch and Aquapure), which differ in their method of DNA extraction. We compared performance of these kits by measuring percentage of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success and mean PCR product yield across a variety of arthropod taxa, whichincluded freshly collected, ethanol-preserved, and dried specimens of different ages. ChargeSwitch and prepGEM performed equally well, but they outperformed Aquapure. prepGEM was much faster, easier to use, and cheaper than ChargeSwitch, but ChargeSwitch performed slightly better for older (> 5-yr-old) dried insect specimens. Overall, prepGEM may provide a highly streamlined method of DNA extraction for fresh, ethanol-preserved, and young, dried specimens, especially when adapted for high-throughput, robotic systems.     

Isolation of plant DNA: A fast,inexpensive, and reliable method

We describe here a simple method to isolate DNA of high molecular weight from a wide variety of plant materials, such as trees, herbaceous plants, cell suspension cultures, calli, seeds, dried embryos, ferns and lichens. The crucial step of the extraction is the use of an acidic extraction medium. When necessary, the sample was separated on a fast RPC-5 column providing us with highly purified DNA suitable not only for restriction endonuclease analyses but also for PCR experiments, RLFP analyses, or detection of adducts.     

Evaluation of the ISO Standard 11063 DNA Extraction Procedure for Assessing Soil Microbial Abundance and Community Structure

Soil DNA extraction has become a critical step in describing microbial biodiversity. Historically, ascertaining overarching microbial ecological theories has been hindered as independent studies have used numerous custom and commercial DNA extraction procedures. For that reason, a standardized soil DNA extraction method (ISO-11063) was previously published. However, although this ISO method is suited for molecular tools such as quantitative PCR and community fingerprinting techniques, it has only been optimized for examining soil bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess an appropriate soil DNA extraction procedure for examining bacterial, archaeal and fungal diversity in soils of contrasting land-use and physico-chemical properties. Three different procedures were tested: the ISO-11063 standard; a custom procedure (GnS-GII); and a modified ISO procedure (ISOm) which includes a different mechanical lysis step (a FastPrep ®-24 lysis step instead of the recommended bead-beating). The efficacy of each method was first assessed by estimating microbial biomass through total DNA quantification. Then, the abundances and community structure of bacteria, archaea and fungi were determined using real-time PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism approaches. Results showed that DNA yield was improved with the GnS-GII and ISOm procedures, and fungal community patterns were found to be strongly dependent on the extraction method. The main methodological factor responsible for differences between extraction procedure efficiencies was found to be the soil homogenization step. For integrative studies which aim to examine bacteria, archaea and fungi simultaneously, the ISOm procedure results in higher DNA recovery and better represents microbial communities.