猪FGL2基因cDNA末端序列检测及结构分析

检测猪FGL2基因cDNA末端序列并对该基因结构初步分析。α-32P dCTP放射性同位素标记cDNA探针筛选猪基因组DNA文库;cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA end,RACE)。以猪正常小肠及心脏组织提取新鲜总RNA,反转录后作为模板,设计基因特异性引物,采用Advantage 2 聚合酶混合物进行PCR扩增;依据猪与人FGL2基因3′端已知同源序列设计PCR上游引物,以人FGL2基因3′末端序列设计下游引物,以猪基因组DNA为模板采用Advantage 2 聚合酶混合物进行PCR反应;PCR载体重组质粒DNA亚克隆扩增。同位素探针未能筛选到特异阳性克隆,RACE反应检测到特异性转录起始位置及第一个转录终止位置,但仍未检测到第二个转录终止位置。猪基因组DNA行PCR扩增成功检测到猪FGL2基因3′末端未知序列及第二个转录终止位置。     

A novel and rapid cloning method for the T-cell receptor variable region sequences

Conventional polymerase chain reactions (PCR) require sequence information on both ends of the DNA to be amplified. The novel technique described here allows the amplification of cDNA fragments with sequence information from one end only. Blunt-ended double-strand cDNA is prepared, circularized with T4 DNA ligase and used as a PCR template. The two PCR primers are desinged to hybridize to the known region in an outward orientation allowing the amplification of the unknown sequence. The method was established using the -chain of T-cell antigen receptors (Tcr) as an example. The cDNA synthesized from 1 g of total RNA from human peripheral lymphocytes was amplified and cloned resulting in a library of 1–2 × 10⁶ Tcr-specific clones. The method should also be useful for cloning full-length cDNA or for the identification of new members of a gene family that share a conserved domain.     

Optimizing Taq Polymerase Concentration for Improved Signal-to-Noise in the Broad Range Detection of Low Abundance Bacteria

Background

PCR in principle can detect a single target molecule in a reaction mixture. Contaminating bacterial DNA in reagents creates a practical limit on the use of PCR to detect dilute bacterial DNA in environmental or public health samples. The most pernicious source of contamination is microbial DNA in DNA polymerase preparations. Importantly, all commercial Taq polymerase preparations inevitably contain contaminating microbial DNA. Removal of DNA from an enzyme preparation is problematical.

Methodology/Principal Findings

This report demonstrates that the background of contaminating DNA detected by quantitative PCR with broad host range primers can be decreased greater than 10-fold through the simple expedient of Taq enzyme dilution, without altering detection of target microbes in samples. The general method is: For any thermostable polymerase used for high-sensitivity detection, do a dilution series of the polymerase crossed with a dilution series of DNA or bacteria that work well with the test primers. For further work use the concentration of polymerase that gave the least signal in its negative control (H₂O) while also not changing the threshold cycle for dilutions of spiked DNA or bacteria compared to higher concentrations of Taq polymerase.

Conclusions/Significance

It is clear from the studies shown in this report that a straightforward procedure of optimizing the Taq polymerase concentration achieved “treatment-free” attenuation of interference by contaminating bacterial DNA in Taq polymerase preparations. This procedure should facilitate detection and quantification with broad host range primers of a small number of bona fide bacteria (as few as one) in a sample.     

Scalable transcriptome preparation for massive parallel sequencing

Background

The tremendous output of massive parallel sequencing technologies requires automated robust and scalable sample preparation methods to fully exploit the new sequence capacity.

Methodology

In this study, a method for automated library preparation of RNA prior to massively parallel sequencing is presented. The automated protocol uses precipitation onto carboxylic acid paramagnetic beads for purification and size selection of both RNA and DNA. The automated sample preparation was compared to the standard manual sample preparation.

Conclusion/Significance

The automated procedure was used to generate libraries for gene expression profiling on the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform with the capacity of 12 samples per preparation with a significantly improved throughput compared to the standard manual preparation. The data analysis shows consistent gene expression profiles in terms of sensitivity and quantification of gene expression between the two library preparation methods.     

A one-step real-time multiplex PCR for screening Y-chromosomal microdeletions without downstream amplicon size analysis

Backgound

Y-chromosomal microdeletions (YCMD) are one of the major genetic causes for non-obstructive azoospermia. Genetic testing for YCMD by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an established method for quick and robust screening of deletions in the AZF regions of the Y-chromosome. Multiplex PCRs have the advantage of including a control gene in every reaction and significantly reducing the number of reactions needed to screen the relevant genomic markers.

Principal Findings

The widely established “EAA/EMQN best practice guidelines for molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions (2004)” were used as a basis for designing a real-time multiplex PCR system, in which the YCMD can simply be identified by their melting points. For this reason, some AZF primers were substituted by primers for regions in their genomic proximity, and the ZFX/ZFY control primer was exchanged by the AMELX/AMELY control primer. Furthermore, we substituted the classical SybrGreen I dye by the novel and high-performing DNA-binding dye EvaGreen™ and put substantial effort in titrating the primer combinations in respect to optimal melting peak separation and peak size.

Significance

With these changes, we were able to develop a platform-independent and robust real-time based multiplex PCR, which makes the need for amplicon identification by electrophoretic sizing expendable. By using an open-source system for real-time PCR analysis, we further demonstrate the applicability of automated melting point and YCMD detection.     

Generation of ESTs for flowering gene discovery and SSR marker development in upland cotton

Background

Upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., is one of the world''s most important economic crops. In the absence of the entire genomic sequence, a large number of expressed sequence tag (EST) resources of upland cotton have been generated and used in several studies. However, information about the flower development of this species is rare.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To clarify the molecular mechanism of flower development in upland cotton, 22,915 high-quality ESTs were generated and assembled into 14,373 unique sequences consisting of 4,563 contigs and 9,810 singletons from a normalized and full-length cDNA library constructed from pooled RNA isolated from shoot apexes, squares, and flowers. Comparative analysis indicated that 5,352 unique sequences had no high-degree matches to the cotton public database. Functional annotation showed that several upland cotton homologs with flowering-related genes were identified in our library. The majority of these genes were specifically expressed in flowering-related tissues. Three GhSEP (G. hirsutum L. SEPALLATA) genes determining floral organ development were cloned, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that these genes were expressed preferentially in squares or flowers. Furthermore, 670 new putative microsatellites with flanking sequences sufficient for primer design were identified from the 645 unigenes. Twenty-five EST–simple sequence repeats were randomly selected for validation and transferability testing in 17 Gossypium species. Of these, 23 were identified as true-to-type simple sequence repeat loci and were highly transferable among Gossypium species.

Conclusions/Significance

A high-quality, normalized, full-length cDNA library with a total of 14,373 unique ESTs was generated to provide sequence information for gene discovery and marker development related to upland cotton flower development. These EST resources form a valuable foundation for gene expression profiling analysis, functional analysis of newly discovered genes, genetic linkage, and quantitative trait loci analysis.     

重叠PCR法构建人心房肌SK2(KCNN2)基因表达质粒及鉴定和序列分析

目的:小电导钙激活钾通道亚型2(SK2)在心房肌功能活动中起重要作用,但是由于其表达密度低,直接进行RT-PCR一步法无法得到该基因(KCNN2)的编码区全长序列,本研究旨在采用Overlapping PCR(重叠PCR)法进行基因全长序列的扩增和表达质粒的构建,探讨其在长片段基因扩增的应用。方法:收集人心房肌标本,采用提取总RNA之后逆转录为cDNA,分三段设计KCNN2基因(AY258141)引物进行分段扩增,同时进行分段测序,然后采用Overlapping PCR得到KCNN2基因编码区全长序列,通过限制性酶切位点定向克隆到表达载体pIRES-hrGFP上。采用酶切法和测序法进行鉴定。结果:三段KCNN2基因扩增产物大小与预测值一致,最后得到的表达质粒测序结果与基因库数据基本一致。结论:成功构建人心房肌SK通道基因表达质粒pIRES-hrGFP-SK2,Overlapping PCR能够很好的用于长片段基因扩增。     

Whole Genome Duplications and a ‘Function’ for Junk DNA? Facts and Hypotheses

Background

The lack of correlation between genome size and organismal complexity is understood in terms of the massive presence of repetitive and non-coding DNA. This non-coding subgenome has long been called “junk” DNA. However, it might have important functions. Generation of junk DNA depends on proliferation of selfish DNA elements and on local or global DNA duplication followed by genic non-fonctionalization.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Evidence from genomic analyses and experimental data indicates that Whole Genome Duplications (WGD) are often followed by a return to the diploid state, through DNA deletions and intra/interchromosomal rearrangements. We use simple theoretical models and simulations to explore how a WGD accompanied by sequence deletions might affect the dosage balance often required among several gene products involved in regulatory processes. We find that potential genomic deletions leading to changes in nuclear and cell volume might potentially perturb gene dosage balance.

Conclusions/Significance

The potentially negative impact of DNA deletions can be buffered if deleted genic DNA is, at least temporarily, replaced by repetitive DNA so that the nuclear/cell volume remains compatible with normal living. Thus, we speculate that retention of non-functionalized non-coding DNA, and replacement of deleted DNA through proliferation of selfish elements, might help avoid dosage imbalances in cycles of polyploidization and diploidization, which are particularly frequent in plants.     

PCR primers for metazoan mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA sequences

Background

Assessment of the biodiversity of communities of small organisms is most readily done using PCR-based analysis of environmental samples consisting of mixtures of individuals. Known as metagenetics, this approach has transformed understanding of microbial communities and is beginning to be applied to metazoans as well. Unlike microbial studies, where analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence is standard, the best gene for metazoan metagenetics is less clear. In this study we designed a set of PCR primers for the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA sequence based on 64 complete mitochondrial genomes and then tested their efficacy.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of the 64 complete mitochondrial genome sequences representing all metazoan classes available in GenBank were downloaded using the NCBI Taxonomy Browser. Alignment of sequences was performed for the excised mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA sequences, and conserved regions were identified for all 64 mitochondrial genomes. These regions were used to design a primer pair that flanks a more variable region in the gene. Then all of the complete metazoan mitochondrial genomes available in NCBI''s Organelle Genome Resources database were used to determine the percentage of taxa that would likely be amplified using these primers. Results suggest that these primers will amplify target sequences for many metazoans.

Conclusions/Significance

Newly designed 12S ribosomal DNA primers have considerable potential for metazoan metagenetic analysis because of their ability to amplify sequences from many metazoans.     

四甲基氯化铵在PCR扩增小麦基因中的关键作用

利用高简并性引物,用PCR法从小麦DNA或cDNA中合成小麦几丁质酶基因、葡 聚糖酶基因和苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因片段。在PCR反应中添加四甲基氯化铵(TMACl)是合成这些特异基因片段的关键。合成的PCR片段都经末端补齐和磷酸化后用于克隆。核酸序列分析证实,这些PCR产物分别与用于设计PCR引物的基因具有高度的同源性。 Abstract:In the presence of tetramethy1 ammonium chloride(TMAC1),a chitinase gene sequence,a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene sequence and a glucanase cDNA sequence of wheat were amplified with highly degenerate primers by PCR.The inclusion of TMAC1 in the PCR reactions was essential for successful amplification of the desired sequences from genomic DNA or cDNA in wheat.The ends of the PCR fragments were made flush and phosphorylated prior to cloning.Sequence analyses of the above PCR fragments confirmed their identities,showing high sequence similarities to the genes used for the design of PCR primers.     

ExCyto PCR Amplification

Background

ExCyto PCR cells provide a novel and cost effective means to amplify DNA transformed into competent bacterial cells. ExCyto PCR uses host E. coli with a chromosomally integrated gene encoding a thermostable DNA polymerase to accomplish robust, hot-start PCR amplification of cloned sequences without addition of exogenous enzyme.

Results

Because the thermostable DNA polymerase is stably integrated into the bacterial chromosome, ExCyto cells can be transformed with a single plasmid or complex library, and then the expressed thermostable DNA polymerase can be used for PCR amplification. We demonstrate that ExCyto cells can be used to amplify DNA from different templates, plasmids with different copy numbers, and master mixes left on ice for up to two hours. Further, PCR amplification with ExCyto cells is comparable to amplification using commercial DNA polymerases. The ability to transform a bacterial strain and use the endogenously expressed protein for PCR has not previously been demonstrated.

Conclusions

ExCyto PCR reduces pipetting and greatly increases throughput for screening EST, genomic, BAC, cDNA, or SNP libraries. This technique is also more economical than traditional PCR and thus broadly useful to scientists who utilize analysis of cloned DNAs in their research.