Utilizing RNA/DNA hybridization to directly quantify mRNA levels in microbial fermentation samples

mRNA quantification has become a research hotspot. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR is a popular method but is known to lack precision. To rapidly monitor the kinetics of mRNA levels for the control of microbial fermentation processes, we developed an SYBR Green I-based universal method to directly quantify mRNA from fermentation samples. After total RNA was extracted, the mRNA was hybridized and protected by a longer DNA oligonucleotide. The probe length determined the strength of signal amplification. S1 nuclease and RNase A were used to remove excess probe, single-stranded RNA, and mis-matched RNA/DNA hybrids. Finally, the perfect-matched RNA/DNA hybrid was quantified by SYBR Green I dye. The conditions of liquid hybridization and enzyme digestion were systemically optimized. The kinetic tendency of phzC mRNA levels during phenazine-1-carboxylic acid fermentation was consistent with the results from MB hybridization in our previous report. The detection of mRNA levels of ten genes in Pseudomonas sp. M18G proved that this method is universal and feasible for mRNA quantification, and has great potential for application in mRNA quantification in various organisms.     

High-resolution melt analysis of DNA methylation to discriminate semen in biological stains

The goal of this study was to develop a method for the detection of semen in biological stains using high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis and DNA methylation. To perform this task, we used an epigenetic locus that targets a tissue-specific differentially methylated region for semen. This specific locus, ZC3H12D, contains methylated CpG sites that are hypomethylated in semen and hypermethylated in blood and saliva. Using this procedure, DNA from forensic stains can be isolated, processed using bisulfite-modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and detected by real-time PCR with HRM capability. The method described in this article is robust; we were able to obtain results from samples with as little as 1 ng of genomic DNA. Samples inhibited by humic acid still produced reliable results. Furthermore, the procedure is specific and will not amplify non-bisulfite-modified DNA. Because this process can be performed using real-time PCR and is quantitative, it fits nicely within the workflow of current forensic DNA laboratories. As a result, it should prove to be a useful technique for processing trace evidence samples for serological analysis.     

Pooling hair samples to increase DNA yield for PCR

Hairs are useful non-invasive sources of DNA, but the DNA yield can be very small, thus promoting genotyping errors. Using multiple hairs can counter this problem, but may introduce multiple contributors to a sample if collected remotely. With microsatellite genotyping, samples representing multiple animals are obvious if three or more alleles are detected at any locus: these samples can then be removed from any analyses. However, some multiple-individual samples may have only one or two alleles at each of the loci examined. We investigated the probability of failing to identify mixed pooled samples by simulating pooled samples (10 000 replicates) from microsatellite data from the northern and southern hairy-nosed wombats (NHNW, Lasiorhinus krefftii; SHNW, L. latifrons), species with low and high genetic diversity respectively. The majority (81.7%) of the 40 000 simulated samples had three or four alleles, so were readily identified as mixed. In the remaining 1-or-2-allele SHNW samples, forensic science software (DNAMIX) correctly identified mixed versus single-individual samples for all cases when the probability of locus failure was low (P _(LF) = 0.1), and 99% of samples when locus failure was high (P _(LF) = 0.5). For NHNW however, the probability of failing to identify a mixed sample was too high for population size estimation (0.05), even when the probability of locus failure was low. In cases such as this, pooled samples may be adequate for less demanding tasks, such as estimation of allele proportions. However, for animal populations with at least average levels of genetic variation, pooling of samples could safely be utilised for most applications. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Requirement of protein synthesis for the coupling of histone mRNA levels and DNA replication

H1 and core histone mRNA levels have been examined in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors with different mechanisms of action. Total HeLa cell RNAs were analyzed by Northern Blot hybridization using cloned human histone genes as probes. Inhibition of DNA replication resulted in a rapid decline in histone mRNA levels. However, in the presence of cycloheximide or puromycin, H1 and core mRNAs did not decrease in parallel with DNA synthesis, but were stabilized and accumulated. Inhibition of DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea after the inhibition of protein synthesis did not lead to a decline in histone mRNA levels. These results suggest that synthesis of a protein(s)--perhaps a histone protein(s)--is required for the coordination of DNA synthesis and histone mRNA levels.     

DNA mini‐barcoding of leporids using noninvasive fecal DNA samples and its significance for monitoring an invasive species

Introduced in South America at the end of the 19th century, the European hare population has expanded dramatically and now represents a risk to native Brazilian forest rabbits. Monitoring the invasive Lepus europaeus and its coexistence with native Sylvilagus brasiliensis is a challenge that can be efficiently addressed by the use of molecular tools. This work describes a set of primers useful for amplifying three mini‐barcodes for the molecular identification of both invasive and native leporid species using degraded fecal DNA. In addition, tests in silico indicate that these mini‐barcodes can successfully amplify the DNA sequences of a number of leporids. These mini‐barcodes constitute a powerful tool for the monitoring and management of the invasive L. europaeus and the conservation of native rabbits.     

基于粪便DNA 的藏狐微卫星位点筛选及个体识别

藏狐是我国青藏高原东部多房棘球绦虫和石渠棘球绦虫最主要的野生动物终末宿主。棘球绦虫会导致一类称为棘球绦虫病的致死性人兽共患疾病,青藏高原东部牧区是该病重要的流行区。因此作为终末宿主,评估藏狐种群的棘球绦虫感染率对于该病的流行病学研究意义明显。而要获取这方面信息,首先必须了解藏狐的种群数量。为此,我们基于非损伤取样的原则,使用藏狐新鲜粪便作为研究材料,从已发布的藏狐及近缘种的48个微卫星位点中筛选了11 个用于藏狐粪便DNA 多态性分析。对2011 -2012 年7 -8 月间收集的128 份有效藏狐粪便样品(2011 年68 份,2012 年60 份)进行特异性PCR 扩增,并用琼脂糖凝胶电泳和荧光引物标记法进行基因分型,根据各位点的等位基因频率计算出各位点的基因型数(N),期望杂合度(He )、观测杂合度(Ho)、多态信息含量(PIC)以及不同个体基因型相同概率值(PI)。结果发现,各位点N 介于4 - 7,H e为0.66 - 0. 80,H o为0.17 -0.68,PIC 为0.5496 - 0.7623。11 个位点的累积PI 值满足个体识别的需要(PIbiased = 1. 283 × 10 ^{- 11} ;PIsi bs =7.572 × 10 ^{- 5} )。但是,由于粪便DNA 质量差异较大,不同位点的扩增成功率差异较大(0.176 - 0. 926)。我们发现,按照扩增成功率由高到低排列,前6 个微卫星位点(P03,CXX172,CPH6,CPH8,P01i,P08)的扩增成功率均超过0.6,且累积PI 值小于0.004 (PIbiased =2.775 × 10 ^{- 7} ;PIsibs = 3. 606 ×10 ^{- 3} ),表明这6 个位点可以对藏狐进行个体识别。因此,针对本研究的数据,制定了如下的个体识别原则: (1)只有粪便DNA 至少成功扩增出前6 个微卫星位点的样品可以进入下一步分析; (2)所有位点的信息均相同的两个样品被认为是来自同一个体;(3)保险起见,如果仅有一对位点信息不相等,此两个样品依然被判定来自同一个体。在此基础上,我们从2011 年样品中识别出30 个藏狐个体,从2012 年样品中识别出21 个个体。     

一种快速高效提取病原真菌DNA作为PCR模板的方法

真菌rDNA-ITS序列分析适合于较高等级水平的生物群体间的系统分析。真菌DNA的提取采用传统的方法,步骤繁琐,需要较长时间。采用Chelex-100法提取真菌DNA,使用PCR扩增rDNA-ITS序列评价提取核酸的质量。结果显示,该方法具有经济、简便、快速、高效的特点,是一种比较理想的提取真菌基因组DNA作为PCR模板的方法。     

An improved method for single step purification of metagenomic DNA

An improved method for purification of intact metagenomic DNA from soil has been developed using Q-Sepharose, which purified the DNA from phenolic and humic acid contaminants in a single step. The entire procedure for purification took only 45 min. A total of 81% of DNA was recovered after purification and there was 84% reduction in humic acid contents. The purified DNA was readily digested with restriction enzymes and can be further used for molecular applications.     

A rapid mini-prep method for isolation of ectomycorrhizal DNA from Tuber species

A rapid procedure has been developed to isolate DNA from the ectomycorrhizae of Tuber spp. for use in PCR experiments. The method described is fast and sensitive and can overcome the amplification problems that can arise in the presence of inhibitors. For this reason it can be used to type ectomycorrhizae even starting from a single root tip and make mycorrhizae identification much more rapid.     

The failure of DNA forensic testing: a case study of the 2009 Australian bushfire disaster

Different constructions of the fetus lie at the centre of reproductive, abortion and disability politics. Recent developments mean that, within the same hospital, a fetus may be perceived in contrasting and potentially conflicting ways. It is also argued that the status given to the fetus is directly relevant to the status given to pregnant women. During group discussions facilitated by an ethicist, health-care staff highlighted various perceptions of the fetus which included: person; patient; 'nobody'; commodity. Perhaps not surprisingly in view of the current legal situation, staff tended to claim that it is usually the pregnant woman who decides how her fetus will be constructed, and the practitioner who responds to this. However, various ways in which practitioners might influence women's perceptions of their fetus are highlighted, as are some ways in which the perceptions of staff might be influenced. This paper illustrates how sensitive health-care staff will need to be if they are indeed to respond to, rather than shape, women's constructions of their fetus.     

An efficient and non-destructive DNA extraction method for oribatid mites

Molecular methods play an important role in systematic acarology and DNA extraction is the first step in this ground. Nowadays, the varieties of methods are being used for extraction of DNA, but most of them destroy the important external characters that are essential for morphological identification. In order to overcome the problem of associating molecular and morphological information, we have developed a simple, efficient and non-destructive DNA extraction method for oribatid mites. The non-destructive method was tested on three different species [Oppia nitens C.L. Koch, 1836 (Oppiidae), Acrotritia ardua C.L. Koch, 1841 (Euphthiracaridae), and Amerus polonicus Kulczynski, 1902 (Ameridae)] and exoskeleton of specimens were preserved in Hoyer’s medium on glass microscopic slides for further identification via morphological studies. This method is more time consuming than commercial kits, but is easier and cheaper, meanwhile, allows systematic analysis with linking the morphological and genetic traits from a single mite. The most important advantage of TNES method is that after using this non-destructive method, specimens preserve all of their morphological features.     

An evaluation of long-term preservation methods for brown bear (Ursus arctos) faecal DNA samples

Relatively few large-scale faecal DNA studieshave been initiated due to difficulties inamplifying low quality and quantity DNAtemplate. To improve brown bear faecal DNA PCRamplification success rates and to determinepost collection sample longevity, fivepreservation methods were evaluated: 90%ethanol, DETs buffer, silica-dried, oven-driedstored at room temperature, and oven-driedstored at –20 °C. Preservationeffectiveness was evaluated for 50 faecalsamples by PCR amplification of a mitochondrialDNA (mtDNA) locus (146 bp) and a nuclear DNA(nDNA) locus (200 bp) at time points of oneweek, one month, three months and six months. Preservation method and storage timesignificantly impacted mtDNA and nDNAamplification success rates. For mtDNA, allpreservation methods had 75% success atone week, but storage time had a significantimpact on the effectiveness of the silicapreservation method. Ethanol preserved sampleshad the highest success rates for both mtDNA(86.5%) and nDNA (84%). Nuclear DNAamplification success rates ranged from 26–88%, and storage time had a significant impacton all methods but ethanol. Preservationmethod and storage time should be importantconsiderations for researchers planningprojects utilizing faecal DNA. We recommendpreservation of faecal samples in 90% ethanolwhen feasible, although when collecting inremote field conditions or for both DNA andhormone assays a dry collection method may beadvantageous.     

Conserved primers for DNA barcoding historical and modern samples from New Zealand and Antarctic birds

Our ability to DNA barcode the birds of the world is based on the effective amplification and sequencing of a 648 base pair (bp) region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI or cox1) gene. For many geographic regions the large numbers of vouchered specimens necessary for the construction of a DNA barcoding database have already been collected and are available in museums and other institutions. However, many of these specimens are old (>20 years) and are stored as either fixed study skins or dried skeletons. DNA extracted from such historical samples is typically degraded and, generally, only short DNA fragments can be recovered from such specimens making the recovery of the barcoding region as a single fragment difficult. We report two sets of conserved primers that allow the amplification of the entire DNA barcoding region in either three or five overlapping fragments. These primer sets allow the recovery of DNA barcodes from valuable historical specimens that in many cases are unique in that they are unable or unlikely to be collected again. We also report three new primers that in combination allow the effective amplification from modern samples of the entire DNA barcoding region as a single DNA fragment for 17 orders of Southern Hemisphere birds.     

Correlation of mRNA and protein in complex biological samples

The correlation between mRNA and protein abundances in the cell has been reported to be notoriously poor. Recent technological advances in the quantitative analysis of mRNA and protein species in complex samples allow the detailed analysis of this pathway at the center of biological systems. We give an overview of available methods for the identification and quantification of free and ribosome-bound mRNA, protein abundances and individual protein turnover rates. We review available literature on the correlation of mRNA and protein abundances and discuss biological and technical parameters influencing the correlation of these central biological molecules.     

堆肥中微生物总DNA的高效提取

采用化学裂解和酶解相结合的方法,选择加入PVPP的高盐缓冲液作为细胞裂解的反应体系,并以PEG-8000进行DNA沉淀,从高有机含量的堆肥样品中进行微生物总DNA的提取。结果表明,从4种性质不同的堆肥中均获得了高质量的微生物总DNA,所得的DNA分子片段在23kb左右;每克干重堆肥的总DNA提取量为63.54±12.08μg~106.50±28.36μg,A260/A280大于1.6,A260/A230大于1.8,不用经过纯化可以直接进行PCR扩增和限制性酶切;以该DNA为模板进行微生物区系的DGGE分析,显示了丰富的微生物多样性。该方法减少了通常环境样品DNA提取过程中的纯化步骤,减少了DNA的损失,为从事微生物分子生态学,尤其是那些针对高有机含量以及获取极为不易的环境样品的研究而言是十分有益的。     

FTA-DNA直接提取法在病原真菌分子鉴定中的应用

目的建立并评价FTA-DNA直接提取法在病原真菌分子鉴定中的应用。方法采用whatman FTA-DNA直接提取法从25个不同种属的45株培养的菌株和6例临床标本中提取病原真菌DNA,用于病原真菌的测序鉴定。配制不同浓度的孢子悬液探索该方法的检测限和安全性。结果 45株菌株扩增后均能得到1条清晰的DNA扩增片段,并成功测序。应用该方法亦成功从腹水、胸水、口腔拭子、宫颈拭子来源的临床标本中直接提取DNA并成功鉴定病原真菌。该DNA提取方法联合降落PCR能检测到1.0×103个cell/mL的孢子悬液,1.0×104个cell/mL及以下浓度的孢子悬液可以被FTA卡完全灭活。结论 FTA-DNA直接提取法可快速有效地从培养的菌株及部分临床标本中提取并保存病原真菌DNA,用于病原真菌的测序鉴定。