Screening for oligonucleotide binding affinity by a convenient fluorescence competition assay.

A competitive homogeneous quenched fluorescence assay system is described for the high throughput screening of DNA conjugates that bind to single-stranded DNA. Fluorescence signal is generated by competitive binding of the sample molecule to a target strand labelled with a quencher probe, which is otherwise hybridised to a complementary strand containing a fluorescent probe. Thus fluorescence generated is related to the affinity of the sample. Competitive analysis of a number of peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates gave data that correlated well with the corresponding UV melting data. The assay will be useful for screening of large numbers of potential single-stranded binding molecules.     

Building Fluorescent Sensors by Template Polymerization: The Preparation of a Fluorescent Sensor for -Tryptophan

The development of fluorescent sensors for organic molecules is of great practical importance in chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical sciences. Using -tryptophan as an example, we have studied a new way of making polymeric fluorescent sensors using template polymerization or molecular imprinting techniques. The fluorescent polymers were prepared using functional monomers with a fluorescent probe attached to it. The fluorescence of this polymer could be quenched by 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. Addition of the template molecules, -tryptophan, increased the fluorescence intensity of the imprinted polymer/quencher mixture in a concentration-dependent fashion, presumably through the displacement of the quencher from the binding sites by -tryptophan. This fluorescence intensity change upon mixing with -tryptophan allows the binding event to be detected easily. The sensor also exhibited enantioselectivity for the template molecules. For example, the effect of -tryptophan on the fluorescence intensity of the polymer is about 70% that of its -enantiomer. Furthermore, the effect of -phenylalanine and -alanine on the fluorescence intensity change is much smaller than that of -tryptophan. Because the approach used does not require the de novo design of the complementary binding site and does not rely on any specific structural features of the template molecule or prior knowledge of its three-dimensional structure, the same principle could potentially be useful for the future construction of practical fluorescent sensors for many other compounds.     

Sensitive genus-specific detection of Legionella by a 16S rRNA based sandwich hybridization assay

The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive, cultivation-independent analytical method for Legionella in man-made water systems which can be performed within one day in crude sample extracts. The new assay for the genus Legionella is a paramagnetic bead based fluorescence sandwich hybridization assay (SHA) for the 16S rRNA based on two oligonucleotide probes which makes the method highly specific. An advantage over RT-PCR is the exclusive detection of viable cells and, due to the high number of 16S RNA molecules, the possibility to apply the method directly in crude cell extracts without prior purification of the nucleic acids. A high sensitivity was obtained by modifying the probe chemistry and hybridization conditions. The most sensitive assay uses a 3'-end biotin-labelled capture probe and a 3'-end DIG tailed detection probe and has a detection limit of 20 amol target molecules corresponding to 1.2x10(7) molecules of 16S rRNA and approximately 1800 Legionella cells. Using this assay type the number of Legionella cells was determined in Legionella contaminated water samples. The results show that the developed SHA can be applied for estimation of the approximate number of Legionella cells based on the number of 16S rRNA molecules in a water sample.     

A novel method for DNA molecular counting.

We have developed a new method for counting DNA molecules using 'capillary-plates' consisting of a large number of small glass-capillary 'channels' fused together in parallel. PCR mixtures containing serially diluted DNA templates with the DNA indicator dye Hoechst 33258 were poured into the plates and sealed with silicone rubber-plates. Following 40 PCR cycles, fluorescence microscopy revealed that the fluorescence in some channels had increased about three-times more than in others at template concentrations of 1 fM or lower. No bright fluorescence was observed in the absence of template. The relationship between the proportion of fluorescent channels in the capillary-plates and the template concentrations was linear according to Poisson probabilities in the range of 0.1-1,000 aM. These results demonstrate the amplification of single templates in the channels, and that a small number of templates could be quantified by counting the proportion of positive channels on the capillary-plates.     

A method for counting PCR template molecules with application to next-generation sequencing

Amplification by polymerase chain reaction is often used in the preparation of template DNA molecules for next-generation sequencing. Amplification increases the number of available molecules for sequencing but changes the representation of the template molecules in the amplified product and introduces random errors. Such changes in representation hinder applications requiring accurate quantification of template molecules, such as allele calling or estimation of microbial diversity. We present a simple method to count the number of template molecules using degenerate bases and show that it improves genotyping accuracy and removes noise from PCR amplification. This method can be easily added to existing DNA library preparation techniques and can improve the accuracy of variant calling.     

A fluorescence polarization-based screening assay for nucleic acid polymerase elongation activity

We have devised a simple high-throughput screening compatible fluorescence polarization-based assay that can be used to detect the elongation activity of nucleic acid polymerase enzymes. The assay uses a 5' end-labeled template strand and relies on an increase in the polarization signal from the fluorescent label as it is drawn in toward the active site by the action of the enzyme. If the oligonucleotide is sufficiently short, the fluorescence polarization signal can also be used to detect binding prior to elongation activity. We refer to the nucleic acid substrate as a polymerase elongation template element (PETE) and demonstrate the utility of this PETE assay in a microtiter plate format using the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from poliovirus to extend a self-priming hairpin RNA. The PETE assay provides an efficient method for screening compounds that may inhibit the nucleic acid binding or elongation activities of polymerases.     

Multiplex mRNA assay using electrophoretic tags for high-throughput gene expression analysis

We describe a novel multiplexing technology using a library of small fluorescent molecules, termed eTag molecules, to code and quantify mRNA targets. eTag molecules, which have the same fluorometric property, but distinct charge-to-mass ratios possess pre-defined electrophoretic characteristics and can be resolved using capillary electrophoresis. Coupled with primary Invader® mRNA assay, eTag molecules were applied to simultaneously quantify up to 44 mRNA targets. This multiplexing approach was validated by examining a panel of inflammation responsive genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β. The laser-induced fluorescence detection and electrokinetic sample injection process in capillary electrophoresis allows sensitive quantification of thousands of copies of mRNA molecules in a reaction. The assay is precise, as evaluated by measuring qualified Z′ factor, a dimensionless and simple characteristic for applications in high-throughput screening using mRNA assays. Our data demonstrate the synergy between the multiplexing capability of eTag molecules by sensitive capillary electrophoresis detection and the isothermal linear amplification characteristics of the Invader® assay. eTag multiplex mRNA assay presents a unique platform for sensitive, high sample throughput and multiplex gene expression analysis.     

New separation-free assay technique for SNPs using two-photon excitation fluorometry

A new separation-free method for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is described. The method is based on the single base extension principle, fluorescently labeled dideoxy nucleotides and two-photon fluorescence excitation technology, known as ArcDia™ TPX technology. In this assay technique, template-directed single base extension is carried out for primers which have been immobilized on polymer microparticles. Depending on the sequence of the template DNA, the primers are extended either with a labeled or with a non-labeled nucleotide. The genotype of the sample is determined on the basis of two-photon excited fluorescence of individual microparticles. The effect of various assay condition parameters on the performance of the assay method is studied. The performance of the new assay method is demonstrated by genotyping the SNPs of human individuals using double-stranded PCR amplicons as samples. The results show that the new SNP assay method provides sensitivity and reliability comparable to the state-of-the-art SNaPshot™ assay method. Applicability of the new method in routine laboratory use is discussed with respect to alternative assay techniques.     

Challenges with Using Primer IDs to Improve Accuracy of Next Generation Sequencing

Next generation sequencing technologies, like ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS), allows detailed investigation of complex populations, like RNA viruses, but its utility is limited by errors introduced during sample preparation and sequencing. By tagging each individual cDNA molecule with barcodes, referred to as Primer IDs, before PCR and sequencing these errors could theoretically be removed. Here we evaluated the Primer ID methodology on 257,846 UDPS reads generated from a HIV-1 SG3Δenv plasmid clone and plasma samples from three HIV-infected patients. The Primer ID consisted of 11 randomized nucleotides, 4,194,304 combinations, in the primer for cDNA synthesis that introduced a unique sequence tag into each cDNA molecule. Consensus template sequences were constructed for reads with Primer IDs that were observed three or more times. Despite high numbers of input template molecules, the number of consensus template sequences was low. With 10,000 input molecules for the clone as few as 97 consensus template sequences were obtained due to highly skewed frequency of resampling. Furthermore, the number of sequenced templates was overestimated due to PCR errors in the Primer IDs. Finally, some consensus template sequences were erroneous due to hotspots for UDPS errors. The Primer ID methodology has the potential to provide highly accurate deep sequencing. However, it is important to be aware that there are remaining challenges with the methodology. In particular it is important to find ways to obtain a more even frequency of resampling of template molecules as well as to identify and remove artefactual consensus template sequences that have been generated by PCR errors in the Primer IDs.     

Real-Time Fluorescence Detection of RNA Amplified by Qβ Replicase

Amplification of RNA probes by Qβ replicase can be used to detect a wide range of analytes with a potential sensitivity of a single molecule. A system has been developed in which Qβ amplification of midivariant-(MDV)-based RNA is measured in real time by fluorescence. This was accomplished by including a fluorescent intercalating dye, propidium iodide, in the reactions and monitoring the fluorescence change using a custom fluorometer. The time at which fluorescence is detectable above background is referred to as the "response time" and is calculated using curve-fitting algorithms. A response time is inversely and linearly proportional to the logarithm of the number of template RNA molecules which initiated the reaction. Therefore, this system permits an unknown amount of input RNA probe to be quantified through 11 orders of magnitude when compared to a standard curve. Under the described conditions with MDV RNA, the response time occurs when about 3 × 10¹¹ RNA molecules are synthesized and occurs within the exponential phase of the reaction, before the number of active enzyme molecules are saturated with RNA templates. This system has been used to determine the replication properties of MDV RNA reporter molecules bearing specific probe sequences and to develop hybridization assays for the clinical diagnostic field.     

Basic principles of quantitative PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an extremely sensitive method owing to the repetitive multiplication of template molecules. This property is a drawback for quantitative measurements because small differences in the multiplication factor lead to large differences in the amount of product. Two methods can be used to solve the problem of quantification: kinetic methods based on the determination or comparison of the amplification factor; and coamplification methods, which compare the amount of product to that of a simultaneously amplified standard template. An overview of the theoretical background of both methods is presented. For selection of a suitable method, both theoretical and practical considerations are important. Kinetic methods are the most convenient if PCR can be performed without opening the tubes, as in some apparatus using fluorescence detection. Coamplification methods can be done without expensive equipment but requires the parallel running of several PCR tubes. When the number of initial template molecules is close to one, as in the limiting dilution technique, statistical considerations become important.     

A new microvolume technique for bioaffinity assays using two-photon excitation

Bioaffinity binding assays such as the immunoassay are widely used in life science research. In an immunoassay, specific antibodies are used to bind target molecules in the sample, and quantification of the binding reaction reveals the amount of the target molecules. Here we present a method to measure bioaffinity assays using the two-photon excitation of fluorescence. In this method, microparticles are used as solid phase in binding the target molecules. The degree of binding is then quantified from individual microparticles by use of two photon excitation of fluorescence. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the method using the human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) immunoassay, which is used to detect fetal disorders. The sensitivity and dynamic range we obtained with this assay indicate that this method can provide a cost-effective and simple way to measure various biomolecules in solution for research and clinical applications.     

In vitro replication of adeno-associated virus DNA: enhancement by extracts from adenovirus-infected HeLa cells.

Previously we have described an in vitro assay for the replication of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) DNA. Addition of the AAV2 nonstructural protein Rep68 to an extract from uninfected cells supports the replication of linear duplex AAV DNA. In this report, we examine replication of linear duplex AAV DNA in extracts from either uninfected or adenovirus (Ad)-infected HeLa cells. The incorporation of radiolabeled nucleotides into full-length linear AAV DNA is 50-fold greater in extracts from Ad-infected cells than in extracts from uninfected cells. In addition, the majority of the labeled full-length AAV DNA molecules synthesized in the Ad-infected extract have two newly replicated strands, whereas the majority of labeled full-length AAV DNA molecules synthesized in the uninfected extract have only one newly replicated strand. The numbers of replication initiations on original templates in the two assays are approximately the same; however, replication in the case of the Ad-infected cell extract is much more likely to result in the synthesis of a full-length AAV DNA molecule. Most of the newly replicated molecules in the assay using uninfected cell extracts are in the form of stem-loop structures. We hypothesize that Ad infection provides a helper function related to elongation during replication by a single-strand displacement mechanism. In the assay using the uninfected HeLa cell extract, replication frequently stalls before reaching the end of the genome, causing the newly synthesized strand to be displaced from the template, with a consequent folding on itself and replication back through the inverted terminal repeat, using itself as a template. In support of this conjecture, replication in the uninfected cell extract of shorter substrate molecules is more efficient, as measured by incorporation of radiolabeled nucleotides into full-length substrate DNA. In addition, when shorter substrate molecules are used as the template in the uninfected HeLa cell assay, a greater proportion of the labeled full-length substrate molecules contain two newly replicated strands. Shorter substrate molecules have no replicative advantage over full-length substrate molecules in the assay using an extract from Ad-infected cells.     

Simple SNP typing assay using a base-discriminating fluorescent probe

We have developed a new concept involving a single-step homogeneous method for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing. In this method, a probe containing base-discriminating fluorescent (BDF) bases is added to a sample solution. BDF base-containing DNA usually shows only a weak fluorescence, but emits a strong blue fluorescence when it recognizes a target base at a specific site in a hybridized strand. By utilizing this feature, a simple mix-and-read SNP typing assay was achieved without any tedious probe-designing or washing processes for exclusion of hybridization error or any addition of DNA-modifying enzymes. This is very different from conventional methods. We simultaneously analyzed a number of samples with ease, with a high accuracy, using our BDF assay.     

The real-time polymerase chain reaction

The scientific, medical, and diagnostic communities have been presented the most powerful tool for quantitative nucleic acids analysis: real-time PCR [Bustin, S.A., 2004. A-Z of Quantitative PCR. IUL Press, San Diego, CA]. This new technique is a refinement of the original Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) developed by Kary Mullis and coworkers in the mid 80:ies [Saiki, R.K., et al., 1985. Enzymatic amplification of beta-globin genomic sequences and restriction site analysis for diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, Science 230, 1350], for which Kary Mullis was awarded the 1993 year's Nobel prize in Chemistry. By PCR essentially any nucleic acid sequence present in a complex sample can be amplified in a cyclic process to generate a large number of identical copies that can readily be analyzed. This made it possible, for example, to manipulate DNA for cloning purposes, genetic engineering, and sequencing. But as an analytical technique the original PCR method had some serious limitations. By first amplifying the DNA sequence and then analyzing the product, quantification was exceedingly difficult since the PCR gave rise to essentially the same amount of product independently of the initial amount of DNA template molecules that were present. This limitation was resolved in 1992 by the development of real-time PCR by Higuchi et al. [Higuchi, R., Dollinger, G., Walsh, P.S., Griffith, R., 1992. Simultaneous amplification and detection of specific DNA-sequences. Bio-Technology 10(4), 413-417]. In real-time PCR the amount of product formed is monitored during the course of the reaction by monitoring the fluorescence of dyes or probes introduced into the reaction that is proportional to the amount of product formed, and the number of amplification cycles required to obtain a particular amount of DNA molecules is registered. Assuming a certain amplification efficiency, which typically is close to a doubling of the number of molecules per amplification cycle, it is possible to calculate the number of DNA molecules of the amplified sequence that were initially present in the sample. With the highly efficient detection chemistries, sensitive instrumentation, and optimized assays that are available today the number of DNA molecules of a particular sequence in a complex sample can be determined with unprecedented accuracy and sensitivity sufficient to detect a single molecule. Typical uses of real-time PCR include pathogen detection, gene expression analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, analysis of chromosome aberrations, and most recently also protein detection by real-time immuno PCR.     

新定量PCR数据处理方法的理论探讨

日新月异的生命科学技术的发展及临床医学科学研究的需求,一般的PCR技术已远远不能满足工作的需要。PE公司在进行了大量的PCR动力学研究的基础上,发现了利用荧光标记探针在PCR循环过程中积累的荧光强度达到仪器捡出阈值时,系统的初始模板数量与循环次数之间有线性关系,据此建立了目前的PE 7700 、PE 5700仪器的定量PCR技术,开创了PCR技术的新局面。但是由于这一技术的误差较大,尚不能满足生命科学及临床医学科学研究的需求,因此需要继续研究新的定量PCR技术。PCR动力学数学模型是根据PCR 技术的原理提出的,能够准确描述PCR反应产物分子数量积累规律的动力学方程,给出了PCR产物数量或者荧光强度与初始模板数量及其他反应条件间的函数关系。利用这一关系,根据PCR反应已积累的产物数量,可以实现准确的定量PCR分析,得到初始模板数量达到定量PCR的目的。使用动力学数学模型做定量PCR分析,其结果的误差仅与使用的荧光强度数值的精确度相关。使用精确到6位数的荧光强度数据,模板数自100~1 000 000区间定量结果的准确性可达99%以上。本文根据模拟实验数据进行了初步的定量PCR分析,结果提示,目前的定量PCR仪器使用PCR动力学模型理论处理分析数据,定量分析的结果会比目前的CT值方法在准确性方面提高几十倍以上,可以满足各方面研究工作误差水平的需要。 Abstract:Today standard PCR can't satisfy the need of biotechnique development and clinical research any more.After numerous dynamic research,PE company found there is a linear relation between initial template number and cycling time when the accumulating fluorescent product is detectable.Therefore,they developed a quantitative PCR technique to be used in PE7700 and PE5700.But the error of this technique is too great to satisfy the need of biotechnique development and clinical research.A better quantitative PCR technique is needed.The mathematical model submitted here is combined with the achievement of relative science,and based on the PCR principle and careful analysis of molecular relationship of main members in PCR reaction system.This model describes the function relation between product quantity or fluorescence intensity and initial template number and other reaction conditions,and can reflect the accumulating rule of PCR product molecule accurately.Accurate quantitative PCR analysis can be made use this function relation.Accumulated PCR product quantity can be obtained from initial template number.Using this model to do quantitative PCR analysis,result error is only related to the accuracy of fluorescence intensity or the instrument used.For an example,when the fluorescence intensity is accurate to 6 digits and the template size is between 100 to 1 000 000,the quantitative result accuracy will be more than 99%.The difference of result error is distinct using same condition,same instrument but different analysis method.Moreover,if the PCR quantitative analysis system is used to process data,it will get result 80 times of accuracy than using CT method.     

Molecular mechanism and energetics of clamp assembly in Escherichia coli. The role of ATP hydrolysis when gamma complex loads beta on DNA

Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme is a multisubunit composite containing the beta sliding clamp and clamp loading gamma complex. The gamma complex requires ATP to load beta onto DNA. A two-color fluorescence spectroscopic approach was utilized to study this system, wherein both assembly (red fluorescence; X-rhodamine labeled DNA anisotropy assay) and ATP hydrolysis (green fluorescence; phosphate binding protein assay) were simultaneously measured with millisecond timing resolution. The two temporally correlated stopped-flow signals revealed that a preassembled beta. gamma complex composite rapidly binds primer/template DNA in an ATP hydrolysis independent step. Once bound, two molecules of ATP are rapidly hydrolyzed (approximately 34 s(-1)). Following hydrolysis, gamma complex dissociates from the DNA ( approximately 22 s(-1)). Once dissociated, the next cycle of loading is severely compromised, resulting in steady-state ATP hydrolysis rates with a maximum of only approximately 3 s(-1). Two single-site beta dimer interface mutants were examined which had impaired steady-state rates of ATP hydrolysis. The pre-steady-state correlated kinetics of these mutants revealed a pattern essentially identical to wild type. The anisotropy data showed that these mutants decrease the steady-state rates of ATP hydrolysis by causing a buildup of "stuck" binary-ternary complexes on the primer/template DNA.     

Single Molecule Detection Technologies in Miniaturized High Throughput Screening: Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Fluorescence assay technologies used for miniaturized high throughput screening are broadly divided into two classes. Macroscopic fluorescence techniques (encompassing conventional fluorescence intensity, anisotropy [also often referred to as fluorescence polarization] and energy transfer) monitor the assay volume- and time-averaged fluorescence output from the ensemble of emitting fluorophores. In contrast, single-molecule detection (SMD) techniques and related approaches, such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), stochastically sample the fluorescence properties of individual constituent molecules and only then average many such detection events to define the properties of the assay system as a whole. Analysis of single molecular events is accomplished using confocal optics with an illumination/detection volume of approximately 1 fl (10(-15) L) such that the signal is insensitive to miniaturization of HTS assays to 1 μl or below. In this report we demonstrate the general applicability of one SMD technique (FCS) to assay configuration for target classes typically encountered in HTS and confirm the equivalence of the rate/equilibrium constants determined by FCS and by macroscopic techniques. Advantages and limitations of the current FCS technology, as applied here, and potential solutions, particularly involving alternative SMD detection techniques, are also discussed.     

Two-photon excitation fluorescence resonance energy transfer with small organic molecule as energy donor for bioassay

A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) model using two-photon excitable small organic molecule DMAHAS as energy donor has been constructed and tried in an assay for avidin. In the FRET model, biotin was conjugated to the FRET donor, and avidin was labeled with a dark quencher DABS-Cl. Binding of DABS-Cl labeled avidin to biotinylated DMAHAS resulted in the quenching of fluorescence emission of the donor, based on which a competitive assay for free avidin was established. With using such donors that are excited in IR region, it is capable of overcoming some primary shortcomings of conventional one-photon FRET methods, especially in bioassays, such as the interference from background fluorescence or scattering light, the coexcitation of the energy acceptor with the donor. And such small molecules also show advantages over inorganic up-converting particles that also give anti-Stokes photoluminescence and have been applied as FRET donor recently. The results of this work suggest that two-photon excitable small molecules could be a promising energy donor for FRET-based bioassays.     

Molecular beacons for detecting DNA binding proteins

We report here a simple, rapid, homogeneous fluorescence assay, the molecular beacon assay, for the detection and quantification of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. The central feature of the assay is the protein-dependent association of two DNA fragments each containing about half of a DNA sequence defining a protein-binding site. Protein-dependent association of DNA fragments can be detected by any proximity-based spectroscopic signal, such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorochromes introduced into these DNA molecules. The assay is fully homogeneous and requires no manipulations aside from mixing of the sample and the test solution. It offers flexibility with respect to the mode of signal detection and the fluorescence probe, and is compatible with multicolor simultaneous detection of several proteins. The assay can be used in research and medical diagnosis and for high-throughput screening of drugs targeted to DNA-binding proteins.