ProteinSeq: high-performance proteomic analyses by proximity ligation and next generation sequencing

Despite intense interest, methods that provide enhanced sensitivity and specificity in parallel measurements of candidate protein biomarkers in numerous samples have been lacking. We present herein a multiplex proximity ligation assay with readout via realtime PCR or DNA sequencing (ProteinSeq). We demonstrate improved sensitivity over conventional sandwich assays for simultaneous analysis of sets of 35 proteins in 5 μl of blood plasma. Importantly, we observe a minimal tendency to increased background with multiplexing, compared to a sandwich assay, suggesting that higher levels of multiplexing are possible. We used ProteinSeq to analyze proteins in plasma samples from cardiovascular disease (CVD) patient cohorts and matched controls. Three proteins, namely P-selectin, Cystatin-B and Kallikrein-6, were identified as putative diagnostic biomarkers for CVD. The latter two have not been previously reported in the literature and their potential roles must be validated in larger patient cohorts. We conclude that ProteinSeq is promising for screening large numbers of proteins and samples while the technology can provide a much-needed platform for validation of diagnostic markers in biobank samples and in clinical use.     

Multiplexed homogeneous proximity ligation assays for high-throughput protein biomarker research in serological material

A high throughput protein biomarker discovery tool has been developed based on multiplexed proximity ligation assays in a homogeneous format in the sense of no washing steps. The platform consists of four 24-plex panels profiling 74 putative biomarkers with sub-pm sensitivity each consuming only 1 μl of human plasma sample. The system uses either matched monoclonal antibody pairs or the more readily available single batches of affinity purified polyclonal antibodies to generate the target specific reagents by covalently linking with unique nucleic acid sequences. These paired sequences are united by DNA ligation upon simultaneous target binding forming a PCR amplicon. Multiplex proximity ligation assays thereby converts multiple target analytes into real-time PCR amplicons that are individually quantified using microfluidic high capacity qPCR in nano liter volumes. The assay shows excellent specificity, even in multiplex, by its dual recognition feature, its proximity requirement, and most importantly by using unique sequence specific reporter fragments on both antibody-based probes. To illustrate the potential of this protein detection technology, a pilot biomarker research project was performed using biobanked plasma samples for the detection of colorectal cancer using a multivariate signature.     

A quantitative assay for assessing allelic proportions by iterative gap ligation.

A variety of techniques are currently available for detecting point mutations in DNA. These techniques are frequently not sensitive enough to be applied as quantitative assays in evaluation of relative occurrence of alleles in cases of polymorphism or when variations in allelic gene expression are being evaluated at the level of RNA. We report here the establishment of an iterative gap ligation (IGL) assay that is both quantitative and sensitive. The design of the assay is such that ligation of an upstream to a downstream primer across a single nucleotide gap will only occur if the gap is filled with a deoxynucleotide complementary to the wild-type or mutant sequence. Under conditions in which excess upstream primer saturates the template concurrently with limiting amounts of downstream primer quantitative ligation is absolutely dependent on provision of the appropriate gap filling nucleotide. When gap ligation occurs in a single incubation, or cycle, the amount of ligated product is a linear function of the relative amount of mutant sequence, with a sensitivity and detection limit of approximately 3% over a range of relative concentrations of 0-100%. When the reaction occurs over multiple cycles, or iterations, gap ligation becomes a non-linear function such that small changes in the relative proportions of alleles produce a disproportionately large amount of ligation. As a consequence, the sensitivity and limits of detection of the assay improve to 0.2% after only 8 cycles. The development of this assay provides a unique means of quantifying allelic polymorphisms in both DNA and RNA (after initial amplification by PCR or RT-PCR) and should be applicable to any experimental settings in which nucleic acids from tissues or mixed populations of cells are being evaluated.     

复合探针荧光定量PCR法检测布鲁氏菌的实验研究

目的：建立用复合探针荧光定量PCR快速检测布鲁氏菌的方法。方法：研究根据BSCP31基因编码31KDa的布鲁氏杆菌表面蛋白的核苷酸序列设计特异引物,通过PCR法的特异性、灵敏度和重复性研究,建立了复合探针荧光定量PCR检测布鲁氏菌的方法。用于布鲁氏菌病的筛选和诊断。结果：结果表明该检测方法的特异性为100％,最低可检出10个拷贝的质粒DNA分子,可对1×10^1-1×10^6拷贝范围内的模板进行定量,最低可检测至1×10^2CFU／ml细菌。该方法的精密度好,阳性质控品和阴性质控品不同时间测定三次及同一时间五次重复实验结果CV值均小于5％。结论：本研究建立的复合探针实时荧光定量PCR检测布鲁氏杆菌的方法,可对布鲁氏病原菌进行快速检测,对布病的筛选和确诊具有重要意义。     

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes with a nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction-coupled ligase chain reaction assay.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-coupled ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay for the specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes (M. Wiedmann, J. Czajka, F. Barany, and C. A. Batt, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58:3443-3447, 1992) has been modified for detection of the LCR products with a nonisotopic readout. When a chemiluminescent or a colorimetric substrate for the nonisotopic detection of the LCR products was used, the PCR-coupled LCR gave a sensitivity of 10 CFU of L. monocytogenes. The detection method with the chemiluminescent substrate Lumi-Phos 530 permitted detection of the LCR products in less than 3 h, so that the whole assay can be completed within 10 h.     

Simple Bulk Readout of Digital Nucleic Acid Quantification Assays

Digital assays are powerful methods that enable detection of rare cells and counting of individual nucleic acid molecules. However, digital assays are still not routinely applied, due to the cost and specific equipment associated with commercially available methods. Here we present a simplified method for readout of digital droplet assays using a conventional real-time PCR instrument to measure bulk fluorescence of droplet-based digital assays.We characterize the performance of the bulk readout assay using synthetic droplet mixtures and a droplet digital multiple displacement amplification (MDA) assay. Quantitative MDA particularly benefits from a digital reaction format, but our new method applies to any digital assay. For established digital assay protocols such as digital PCR, this method serves to speed up and simplify assay readout.Our bulk readout methodology brings the advantages of partitioned assays without the need for specialized readout instrumentation. The principal limitations of the bulk readout methodology are reduced dynamic range compared with droplet-counting platforms and the need for a standard sample, although the requirements for this standard are less demanding than for a conventional real-time experiment. Quantitative whole genome amplification (WGA) is used to test for contaminants in WGA reactions and is the most sensitive way to detect the presence of DNA fragments with unknown sequences, giving the method great promise in diverse application areas including pharmaceutical quality control and astrobiology.     

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。     

复合探针实时荧光PCR检测细菌耐药基因blaNDM-1方法的建立

目的:建立一种检测编码新德里金属β内酰胺酶1(NDM-1)的细菌耐药基因blaNDM-1的复合探针实时荧光PCR方法。方法:基于复合探针技术原理,以blaNDM-1基因作为待检靶基因建立检测方法,对PCR扩增体系中镁离子浓度、PCR退火温度等进行优化,并对检测的灵敏性、特异性、重复性等进行评价。结果:优化了最佳反应体系和扩增条件;以灵敏度质控品进行灵敏度实验,最低检测限可达2拷贝/体系;非耐药性菌株的检测结果均为阴性;批间批内变异系数均小于5%;只有产NDM-1的鲍曼不动杆菌检测为阳性,其他377株临床分离菌和阴性对照均无响应。结论:建立了检测含blaNDM-1基因的菌株的方法,具有很好的灵敏性、特异性和重复性。     

Application of immunoproteomics to rapid cytokine detection

Cytokines are pivotal to a balanced innate or cell-mediated immune response, and can be indicative of disease progression and/or resolution. Methods to measure key cytokines rapidly with accuracy, precision, and sensitivity are consequently important. The current assay technologies, which are based on RT-PCR, immunoassays, or bioassays, are limited in their use in the clinic, in particular because of the long time (1-3 h) required to carry out the assays. An alternative, semi-quantitative approach described here, uses an immunological capture step and a mass spectral readout. The goal of the assay is speed rather than sensitivity or precision.     

Single universal primer multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification with sequencing gel electrophoresis analysis

In this study, a novel single universal primer multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (SUP-MLPA) technique that uses only one universal primer to perform multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. Two reversely complementary common sequences were designed on the 5′ or 3′ end of the ligation probes (LPs), which allowed the ligation products to be amplified through only a single universal primer (SUP). SUP-MLPA products were analyzed on sequencing gel electrophoresis with extraordinary resolution. This method avoided the high expenses associated with capillary electrophoresis, which was the commonly used detection instrument. In comparison with conventional multiplex PCR, which suffers from low sensitivity, nonspecificity, and amplification disparity, SUP-MLPA had higher specificity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 0.1 ng for detecting single crop species when screening the presence of genetically modified crops. We also studied the effect of different lengths of stuffer sequences on the probes for the first time. Through comparing the results of quantitative PCR, the LPs with different stuffer sequences did not affect the ligation efficiency, which further increased the multiplicity of this assay. The improved SUP–MLPA and sequencing gel electrophoresis method will be useful for food and animal feed identification, bacterial detection, and verification of genetic modification status of crops.     

Profiling cellular protein complexes by proximity ligation with dual tag microarray readout

Patterns of protein interactions provide important insights in basic biology, and their analysis plays an increasing role in drug development and diagnostics of disease. We have established a scalable technique to compare two biological samples for the levels of all pairwise interactions among a set of targeted protein molecules. The technique is a combination of the proximity ligation assay with readout via dual tag microarrays. In the proximity ligation assay protein identities are encoded as DNA sequences by attaching DNA oligonucleotides to antibodies directed against the proteins of interest. Upon binding by pairs of antibodies to proteins present in the same molecular complexes, ligation reactions give rise to reporter DNA molecules that contain the combined sequence information from the two DNA strands. The ligation reactions also serve to incorporate a sample barcode in the reporter molecules to allow for direct comparison between pairs of samples. The samples are evaluated using a dual tag microarray where information is decoded, revealing which pairs of tags that have become joined. As a proof-of-concept we demonstrate that this approach can be used to detect a set of five proteins and their pairwise interactions both in cellular lysates and in fixed tissue culture cells. This paper provides a general strategy to analyze the extent of any pairwise interactions in large sets of molecules by decoding reporter DNA strands that identify the interacting molecules.     

PCR-based methods for detecting DNA damage and its repair at the sub-gene and single nucleotide levels in cells

Three PCR-based methods are described that allow covalent drug-DNA adducts, and their repair, to be studied at various levels of resolution from gene regions to the individual nucleotide level in single copy genes. A quantitative PCR (QPCR) method measures the total damage on both DNA strands in a gene region, usually between 300 and 3000 base pairs in length. Strand-specific QPCR incorporates adaptations that allow damage to be measured in the same region as QPCR but in a strand-specific manner. Single-strand ligation PCR allows the detection of adduct formation at the level of single nucleotides, on individual strands, in a single copy gene in mammalian cells. If antibodies to the DNA adducts of interest are available, these can be used to capture and isolate adducted DNA for use in single-strand ligation PCR increasing the sensitivity of the assay.     

复合探针荧光定量PCR法检测布鲁氏菌的实验研究

目的:建立用复合探针荧光定量PCR快速检测布鲁氏菌的方法。方法:研究根据BSCP31基因编码31KDa的布鲁氏杆菌表面蛋白的核苷酸序列设计特异引物,通过PCR法的特异性、灵敏度和重复性研究,建立了复合探针荧光定量PCR检测布鲁氏菌的方法,用于布鲁氏菌病的筛选和诊断。结果:结果表明该检测方法的特异性为100%,最低可检出10个拷贝的质粒DNA分子,可对1×101-1×106拷贝范围内的模板进行定量,最低可检测至1×102CFU/ml细菌。该方法的精密度好,阳性质控品和阴性质控品不同时间测定三次及同一时间五次重复实验结果CV值均小于5%。结论:本研究建立的复合探针实时荧光定量PCR检测布鲁氏杆菌的方法,可对布鲁氏病原菌进行快速检测,对布病的筛选和确诊具有重要意义。     

Homogenous 96-Plex PEA Immunoassay Exhibiting High Sensitivity,Specificity, and Excellent Scalability

Medical research is developing an ever greater need for comprehensive high-quality data generation to realize the promises of personalized health care based on molecular biomarkers. The nucleic acid proximity-based methods proximity ligation and proximity extension assays have, with their dual reporters, shown potential to relieve the shortcomings of antibodies and their inherent cross-reactivity in multiplex protein quantification applications. The aim of the present study was to develop a robust 96-plex immunoassay based on the proximity extension assay (PEA) for improved high throughput detection of protein biomarkers. This was enabled by: (1) a modified design leading to a reduced number of pipetting steps compared to the existing PEA protocol, as well as improved intra-assay precision; (2) a new enzymatic system that uses a hyper-thermostabile enzyme, Pwo, for uniting the two probes allowing for room temperature addition of all reagents and improved the sensitivity; (3) introduction of an inter-plate control and a new normalization procedure leading to improved inter-assay precision (reproducibility). The multiplex proximity extension assay was found to perform well in complex samples, such as serum and plasma, and also in xenografted mice and resuspended dried blood spots, consuming only 1 µL sample per test. All-in-all, the development of the current multiplex technique is a step toward robust high throughput protein marker discovery and research.     

Multiplexed detection of cardiac biomarkers in serum with nanowire arrays using readout ASIC

Early detection of cardiac biomarkers for diagnosis of heart attack is the key to saving lives. Conventional method of detection like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is time consuming and low in sensitivity. Here, we present a label-free detection system consisting of an array of silicon nanowire sensors and an interface readout application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This system provides a rapid solution that is highly sensitive and is able to perform direct simultaneous-multiplexed detection of cardiac biomarkers in serum. Nanowire sensor arrays were demonstrated to have the required selectivity and sensitivity to perform multiplexed detection of 100 fg/ml troponin T, creatine kinase MM, and creatine kinase MB in serum. A good correlation between measurements from a probe station and the readout ASIC was obtained. Our detection system is expected to address the existing limitations in cardiac health management that are currently imposed by the conventional testing platform, and opens up possibilities in the development of a miniaturized device for point-of-care diagnostic applications.     

Aptamer-based bio-barcode assay for the detection of cytochrome-c released from apoptotic cells

The recently developed bio-barcode (BBC) assay using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate signals has been shown to be an extraordinarily sensitive method to detect protein targets. The BBC assay involves a magnetic microparticle (with antibody to capture the target of interest) and gold nanoparticle (with recognition antibody and thiolated single-stranded barcode DNAs) to form a sandwich around the target. The concentration of target is determined by the amount of barcode DNA released from the nanoparticles. Here we describe a modification using aptamers to substitute the gold nanoparticles for the BBC assay. In this study, we isolated a 76-mer monoclonal aptamer against cytochrome-c (cyto-c) and this single-stranded DNA in defined 3D structure for cyto-c was used in the BBC assay for both recognition and readout reporting. After magnetic separation, the aptamer was amplified by PCR and this aptamer-based barcode (ABC) assay was sensitive enough to detect the cyto-c in culture medium released from the apoptotic cells after drug treatment at the picomolar level. When compared to the conventional cyto-c detection by Western blot analysis, our ABC assay is sensitive, and time for the detection and quantification with ready-made probes was only 3 h.     

Western blotting via proximity ligation for high performance protein analysis

Western blotting is a powerful and widely used method, but limitations in detection sensitivity and specificity, and dependence upon high quality antibodies to detect targeted proteins, are hurdles to overcome. The in situ proximity ligation assay, based on dual antibody recognition and powerful localized signal amplification, offers increased detection sensitivity and specificity, along with an ability to identify complex targets such as phosphorylated or interacting proteins. Here we have applied the in situ proximity ligation assay mechanism in Western blotting. This combination allowed the use of isothermal rolling circle amplification of DNA molecules formed in target-specific ligation reaction, for 16-fold or greater increase in detection sensitivity. The increased specificity because of dual antibody recognition ensured highly selective assays, detecting the specific band when combinations of two cross-reactive antitubulin antibodies were used (i.e. both producing distinct nonspecific bands in traditional Western blotting). We also demonstrated detection of phosphorylated platelet-derived growth factor receptor β by proximity ligation with one antibody directed against the receptor and another directed against the phosphorylated tyrosine residue. This avoided the need for stripping and re-probing the membrane or aligning two separate traditional blots. We demonstrate that the high-performance in situ proximity ligation-based Western blotting described herein is compatible with detection via enhanced chemiluminescence and fluorescence detection systems, and can thus be readily employed in any laboratory.     

Development of a new seminested PCR method for detection of Legionella species and its application to surveillance of legionellae in hospital cooling tower water.

The presence of PCR inhibitors in water samples is well known and contributes to the fact that a practical PCR assay has not been developed for legionella surveillance. In this study, we devised a new seminested PCR assay for detection of Legionella spp. in water samples as a means of overriding the PCR inhibitors without loss of sensitivity. The seminested PCR assay utilized primers to amplify the 16S rRNA gene (LEG primers) of 39 Legionella spp. The assay was specific to legionellae, and the sensitivity was 1 fg of extracted Legionella DNA in laboratory examination. To evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of the PCR assay in identifying the presence of legionellae, it was used to survey Legionella contamination in the water of 49 cooling towers of 32 hospitals. A commercially available EnviroAmp Legionella kit and a culture method were also used in the survey for comparison with the seminested PCR assay. The detection rates of legionellae in the samples were 91.8% (45 of 49) by the PCR assay and 79.5% (39 of 49) by the culture method. The EnviroAmp kit revealed that 30.6% of the water samples (15 of 49) contained inhibitors of the PCR amplification. However, the seminested PCR assay could produce the Legionella-specific DNA bands in 14 of the 15 samples. Although 8 of the 14 samples were positive in the first-step PCR, 6 of the 14 samples became positive in the second-step PCR. These results suggest that the effect of PCR inhibitors in samples, if any, can be reduced because of the dilution of the sample in the second-step PCR and that sensitivity of detection can be increased by the second-step PCR. Thus, the seminested PCR assay with LEG primers to amplify the 16S rRNA gene of 39 Legionella spp. was a practical and sensitive method to detect Legionella spp. in water samples.     

一种检测马尔尼菲青霉菌实时荧光定量PCR方法的建立和应用

目的:建立一种检测马尔尼菲青霉菌的实时荧光定量PCR的方法。方法:针对马尔尼菲青霉菌5.8S rRNA设计特异性PCR引物,采用核酸荧光染料SYBR GreenⅠ进行实时荧光定量PCR检测,探讨该方法的灵敏度和特异性,并进行临床样品检测验证。结果:该方法的特异性较好,与该菌属内的其他细菌间无交叉反应;灵敏度可检测出10个细胞/mL全血,在检测范围内线性良好,相关系数R2=0.981。临床样品检测和传统的培养方法结果完全相符。结论:该方法特异性好,灵敏度高,操作简单,检测时间短;临床样品检测具有很好的准确性,从本研究的结果显示实时荧光定量PCR方法在检测马尔尼菲青霉菌中的应用可以大大缩短临床的诊断时间,提高临床诊断的准确度和效率。