两种标记方法对60mer寡核苷酸芯片背景信号影响的初步分析

研究两种不同的样本标记方法对人全基因组高密度60mer寡核苷酸芯片背景信号的影响。收集5对患病与健康人外周血单个核细胞,分别提取总RNA后,采用限制性显示技术（restriction display,RD）进行样本双色（Cy3/Cy5）荧光标记,与5张Agilent 60mer高密度（22K）Human 1B寡核苷酸芯片进行杂交。芯片全部杂交点分3组：基因探针组、阳性对照组和阴性对照组。阳性对照采用荧光标记寡核苷酸直接掺入法进行标记。对全部杂交信号点的Cy3和Cy5背景信号值,用SPSS软件进行数据转换、正态性检验、方差齐性检验、变异系数分析和重复数据的方差分析。数据分析结果显示,Cy3 标记的背景信号值均高于 Cy5标记的背景信号值。重复测量数据的方差分析表明,在Cy3 和Cy5标记中,两种不同标记方法间的背景信号值的差异极显著（PCy3＜0.01, PCy5＜0.01）,且RD标记点的背景信号平均值低于荧光标记寡核苷酸直接掺入标记法标记的阳性对照点。RD标记方法是一种有用的低背景信号的高密度长链寡核苷酸芯片样本标记方法。     

Technical evaluation of cDNA microarrays

The aims were to evaluate the common reference design approach in microarray experiments and to evaluate the technical performance and the normalisation of cDNA microarrays with a limited number of spots. Total RNA from 3 normal and 3 tumour sample biopsies were used for synthesis of amino-allyl labelled cRNA. Equal amounts of cRNA from all samples were mixed as reference. After conjugation of cRNA with fluorophores (Cy3/Cy5), each individual tumour cRNA was hybridised to a cDNA microarray together with reference cRNA, scanned and analysed. We show that our procedures for producing cDNA microarrays are reproducible. The concordance between duplicated spots and replicate hybridisation was found to be high. We have demonstrated that our cDNA microarrays are of a high technical quality. The majority of the cDNA microarrays had low local spot background levels. Despite the high background levels for some local spots, variation could be minimized by locally weighted scatter plot smooth normalisation (LOWESS), which we showed was also suitable for normalisation of cDNA microarrays with a limited number of probes.     

Fiber-optic microarray for simultaneous detection of multiple harmful algal bloom species

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious threat to coastal resources, causing a variety of impacts on public health, regional economies, and ecosystems. Plankton analysis is a valuable component of many HAB monitoring and research programs, but the diversity of plankton poses a problem in discriminating toxic from nontoxic species using conventional detection methods. Here we describe a sensitive and specific sandwich hybridization assay that combines fiber-optic microarrays with oligonucleotide probes to detect and enumerate the HAB species Alexandrium fundyense, Alexandrium ostenfeldii, and Pseudo-nitzschia australis. Microarrays were prepared by loading oligonucleotide probe-coupled microspheres (diameter, 3 mum) onto the distal ends of chemically etched imaging fiber bundles. Hybridization of target rRNA from HAB cells to immobilized probes on the microspheres was visualized using Cy3-labeled secondary probes in a sandwich-type assay format. We applied these microarrays to the detection and enumeration of HAB cells in both cultured and field samples. Our study demonstrated a detection limit of approximately 5 cells for all three target organisms within 45 min, without a separate amplification step, in both sample types. We also developed a multiplexed microarray to detect the three HAB species simultaneously, which successfully detected the target organisms, alone and in combination, without cross-reactivity. Our study suggests that fiber-optic microarrays can be used for rapid and sensitive detection and potential enumeration of HAB species in the environment.     

Analysis of oligonucleotide microarrays by 3' end labeling using fluorescent nucleotides and terminal transferase

A simple enzymatic labeling procedure is described to determine spot quality in oligonucleotide microarrays. By using fluorescently labeled dideoxynucleotides or ribonucleotides as substrate for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), a single fluorophore can be covalently attached at the 3' end of each oligonucleotide probe molecule in the spot. Fluorescein-12-ddUTP CyTM3-ddUTP Cy5-UTP, and Cy3-UTP were compared as TdT substrates for 3' end labeling an array of 1273 hexamer probes. Cy5-UTP was found to show minimal bias toward probe base composition and is therefore well suited for quantitative analysis of microarray spots where the oligonucleotide probes are coupled via a 5' end linkage to the solid phase.     

Rapid and quantitative quality control of microarrays using cationic nanoparticles

The fabrication quality of microarrays significantly influences the accuracy and reproducibility of microarray experiments. In this report, we present a simple and fast quality control (QC) method for spotted oligonucleotide and cDNA microarrays. It employs a nonspecific electrostatic interaction of colloidal gold nanoparticles with the chemical groups of DNA molecules and other biomolecules immobilized on the microarray surface that bear positive or negative charges. An inexpensive flatbed scanner is used to visualize and quantify the binding of cationic gold particles to the anionic DNA probes on the microarray surface. An image analysis software was designed to assess the various parameters of the array spots including spot intensity, shape and array homogeneity, calculate the overall array quality score, and save the detailed array quality report in an Excel file. The gold staining technique is fast and sensitive. It can be completed in 10 min and detect less than 1% of the probe amount commonly recommended for microarrays. Compared to the current microarray QC method that utilizes the hybridization of probes with short random sequence oligonucleotides labeled with fluorophore, our gold staining method requires less time for the analysis, reduces the reagent cost, and eliminates the need for the expensive laser scanner. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 960–964. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The influence of RNA integrity,purity and cDNA labelling on glass slide cDNA microarray image quality

The accuracy of gene expression measurements generated using cDNA microarrays is dependent on the quality of the image generated following hybridization of fluorescently labelled cDNA. It is not known how this image is influenced by sample preparation factors which such as RNA quality, cDNA synthesis and labelling efficiency. In this study we used a simple metric based on the ratio of the total feature (F) and background (B) fluorescence, which correlates with the visual assessment of 60 microarray images, to determine the influence of sample preparation on image quality. Results indicate that RNA purity (A260/A280) and integrity (18S:28S ratio) do not strongly influence microarray image quality. cDNA having an nucleotide to dye ratio greater than 100 produced poor microarray images, however, cDNA labelled more efficiently was not a guarantee of a better image. The data also indicate that the array image quality is not improved by loading more cDNA into the hybridization mixture however poor image quality did result from a disproportionate amounts of Cy5 and Cy3 labelled cDNA. This study provides insight into the source of variation in microarray image analysis introduced during sample preparation and will assist in the standardisation of cDNA glass slide microarray protocols.     

百合病毒的DNA芯片检测技术研究

根据已知的黄瓜花叶病毒,百合无症病毒、百合斑驳病毒基因核苷酸序列,设计引物和探针,制备寡核苷酸芯片。用Cy3标记核苷酸引物,不对称RT-PCR扩增产物与芯片上的寡核苷酸探针杂交,荧光扫描仪检测并分析信号。研究制备的基因芯片能够检测侵染百合的3种重要病毒核酸的特异性荧光信号,该项技术具有特异、灵敏、快速的优点。     

Monitoring of cDNA microarray with common primer target and hybridization specificity with selected targets

Academic researchers are increasingly producing and using cDNA microarrays. Their quality and hybridization specificity are crucial in determining whether the generated data are accurate and interpretable. Here, we describe two methods of monitoring microarray production, the sustainability of DNA attachment, and the specificity of hybridization. The first method consists of labeling an oligonucleotide, which is one of the primers used to amplify all cDNA probes on the array (except for beta-actin and GAPDH) with fluorescent dye and hybridize it to the cDNA microarray. Attachment of the cDNAs on the array after the hybridization procedure was monitored by visualizing fluorescent signals from the spots on the array. In the second method, two selected DNA targets, beta-actin and GAPDH, were labeled with fluorescent dye to hybridize to the cDNA array. Hence, hybridization specificity was demonstrated by obtaining fluorescent signals solely from the genes corresponding to the target.     

Oligonucleotide Microarray with RD-PCR Labeling Technique for Detection and Typing of Human Papillomavirus

Currently, screening for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains an important health concern throughout the world, because of the close association between certain types of HPV and cervical cancer. In this study, we explore the possibility of using ∼70mer oligonucleotide microarray for detection and genotyping of HPV. The ∼70mer type-specific oligonucleotide probes of four different types HPV were designed by using biological software Arraydesigner 2.0, which analyzed the whole genome sequences of HPV and selected optimal probes. These probes were synthesized and printed onto the surface of glass slides in order to prepare a low-density microarray. HPV samples were labeled with fluorescence dyes Cy3 using a method of restriction display polymerase chain reaction (RD-PCR). HPV plasmid DNA was restricted with Sau3A I to produce multiple fragments that were ligated to adaptors subsequently and used as PCR template. PCR labeling was performed with the fluorescently labeled universal primer (Cy3-UP) whose sequence is designed according to the adaptor of the RD-PCR approaches. The labeled samples were hybridized with the oligonucleotide microarray. The scanning results showed that HPV DNA hybridized specifically with multiple spots correspondingly to show positive signals, whereas no signals were detected of all the negative and blank controls. These results demonstrated that ∼70mer oligonucleotide microarray can be applied to HPV detection and genotyping. The application of RD-PCR in the sample labeling can increase significantly the sensitivity of the assay and will be especially useful for the discriminate diagnosis of multiple pathogens.     

Comparison of hybridization behavior between double and single strands of targets and the application of asymmetric PCR targets in cDNA microarray

Double stranded targets on the cDNA microarray contain representatives of both the coding and noncoding strands, which will introduce hybridization competition with probes. Here, the effect of double and single strands of targets on the signal intensity and the ratios of Cy5/Cy3 within the same slide were compared. The results show that single stranded targets can increase the hybridization efficiency without changing the Cy5/Cy3 ratio. Based on these results, a new strategy was established by generating cDNA targets with asymmetric PCR, instead of conventional PCR, to increase the sensitivity of the cDNA microarray. Furthermore, the feasibility of this approach was validated. The results indicate that the cDNA microarray system based on asymmetric PCR is more sensitive, with no decrease in the reliability and reproducibility as compared with that based on conventional symmetric PCR.     

一种标记cDNA芯片探针的新方法

探讨mRNA长片段反转录PCR技术(RT-LDPCR)在cDNA芯片微量探针标记和信号放大中的应用.首先提取BEP2D细胞的总RNA,然后用两种不同的方法进行标记,一种为RT-LDPCR,用荧光素Cy3-dCTP进行标记;另一种为传统的RNA反转录,用荧光素Cy5-dCTP进行标记.将两种方法标记好的探针等量混合后与含有440个点(44个基因)的cDNA芯片同时杂交,发现二者具有很高的一致性(0.5＜Cy3/Cy5＞2.0).由于RNA反转录法为cDNA芯片探针标记的传统方法,从而验证了RT-LDPCR用于cDNA芯片探针标记的可行性.RT-LDPCR具有对样品总RNA的需要量少和可对样品中信号进行放大的优点,特别适合于对材料来源受到限制的RNA进行标记.     

Fiber-Optic Microarray for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Harmful Algal Bloom Species

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious threat to coastal resources, causing a variety of impacts on public health, regional economies, and ecosystems. Plankton analysis is a valuable component of many HAB monitoring and research programs, but the diversity of plankton poses a problem in discriminating toxic from nontoxic species using conventional detection methods. Here we describe a sensitive and specific sandwich hybridization assay that combines fiber-optic microarrays with oligonucleotide probes to detect and enumerate the HAB species Alexandrium fundyense, Alexandrium ostenfeldii, and Pseudo-nitzschia australis. Microarrays were prepared by loading oligonucleotide probe-coupled microspheres (diameter, 3 μm) onto the distal ends of chemically etched imaging fiber bundles. Hybridization of target rRNA from HAB cells to immobilized probes on the microspheres was visualized using Cy3-labeled secondary probes in a sandwich-type assay format. We applied these microarrays to the detection and enumeration of HAB cells in both cultured and field samples. Our study demonstrated a detection limit of approximately 5 cells for all three target organisms within 45 min, without a separate amplification step, in both sample types. We also developed a multiplexed microarray to detect the three HAB species simultaneously, which successfully detected the target organisms, alone and in combination, without cross-reactivity. Our study suggests that fiber-optic microarrays can be used for rapid and sensitive detection and potential enumeration of HAB species in the environment.