Deparaffinization of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks using hot water instead of xylene

This study aimed to deparaffinize formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues using hot water instead of xylene and measuring the quantity and quality of the extracted DNA from the respective tissues. To deparaffinize the tissue sections with hot water, small sections were exposed to 90 °C distilled sterile water. After 25 FFPE tissue samples were deparaffinized with the hot water method, DNA was then extracted. The mean of optical density and the ratio of absorbance of the DNA solution were 220.01 ± 36.1 ng/μl and 1.65 ± 0.1, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) gene showed that the method can be used as a tool for different applications.     

Comparison of eight commercially available kits for DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues

A proper extraction method from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks is essential to obtain DNA of satisfactory quality/quantity. We compared the effectiveness of eight commercially available kits for DNA extraction based on 10 FFPE tissues. Kits differed significantly in terms of DNA yield, purity, and quality. Using the QIAamp DNA FFPE Tissue Kit (Qiagen) and the ReliaPrep FFPE gDNA Miniprep System (Promega), we obtained DNA of the highest quality and acceptable quantity. We also demonstrated that overnight digestion of samples usually improved DNA yield and/or purity. For precious or limited material, double elution is recommended for obtaining up to 42% higher amount of DNA.     

Comparison of methods in the recovery of nucleic acids from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues

Archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissue collections are typically in poor states of storage across the developing world. With advances in biomolecular techniques, these extraordinary and virtually untapped resources have become an essential part of retrospective epidemiological studies. To successfully use such tissues in genomic studies, scientists require high nucleic acid yields and purity. In spite of the increasing number of FFPE tissue kits available, few studies have analyzed their applicability in recovering high-quality nucleic acids from archived human autopsy samples. Here we provide a study involving 10 major extraction methods used to isolate total nucleic acid from FFPE tissues ranging in age from 3 to 13 years. Although all 10 methods recovered quantifiable amounts of DNA, only 6 recovered quantifiable RNA, varying considerably and generally yielding lower DNA concentrations. Overall, we show quantitatively that TrimGen’s WaxFree method and our in-house phenol-chloroform extraction method recovered the highest yields of amplifiable DNA, with considerable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibition, whereas Ambion’s RecoverAll method recovered the most amplifiable RNA.     

DNA extraction from archival formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded tissues: heat-induced retrieval in alkaline solution

Based on the antigen retrieval principle, our previous study has demonstrated that heating archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues at a higher temperature and at higher pH value of the retrieval solution may achieve higher efficiency of extracted DNA, when compared to the traditional enzyme digestion method. Along this line of heat-induced retrieval, this further study is focused on development of a simpler and more effective heat-induced DNA retrieval technique by testing various retrieval solutions. Three major experiments using a high temperature heating method to extract DNA from FFPE human lymphoid and other tissue sections were performed to compare: (1) different concentrations of alkaline solution (NaOH or KOH, pH 11.5–12) versus Britton and Robinson type of buffer solution (BR buffer) of pH 12 that was the only retrieval solution tested in our previous study; (2) several chemical solutions (SDS, Tween 20, and GITC of various concentrations) versus BR buffer or alkaline solution; and (3) alkaline solution mixed with chemicals versus BR buffer or single alkaline solution. Efficiency of DNA extraction was evaluated by measuring yields using spectrophotometry, electrophoretic pattern, semiquantitation of tissue dissolution, PCR amplification, and kinetic thermocycling-PCR methods. Results showed that boiling tissue sections in 0.1 M NaOH or KOH or its complex retrieval solutions produced higher yields and better quality of DNA compared to BR buffer or chemical solutions alone. The conclusion was that boiling FFPE tissue sections in 0.1 M alkaline solution is a simpler and more effective heat-induced retrieval protocol for DNA extraction. Combination with some chemicals (detergents) may further significantly improve efficiency of the heat-induced retrieval technique.     

利用改进的酚-氯仿法从猪毛囊中提取基因组DNA

为提高从猪毛囊组织中提取基因组DNA的效率, 文章在借鉴从其他组织提取基因组DNA方法的基础上, 对经典的酚-氯仿法的反应体系和步骤进行了改进。利用改进的酚－氯仿抽提法, 从猪的毛囊组织中快速、高效地提取了高质量基因组DNA。利用该方法从1~6根猪毛囊中提取的基因组DNA可满足基于PCR技术的相关分子生物学实验需要。     

Identification of methods for use of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples in RNA expression profiling

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples are a potentially valuable resource of expression information for medical research, but are under-utilized due to degradation and modification of the RNA. Using a random primer-based RNA amplification strategy, we have evaluated multiple protocols for the extraction and isolation of RNA from FFPE samples. We found that the RecoverAll RNA isolation procedure with three or four slices (ten-microns in thickness), supplemented with additional DNAse, gave optimal results. RNA integrity as assessed by Agilent Bioanalyzer, and amplification of the 28S ribosomal RNA, were predictive for the number of genes detected on Affymetrix arrays. We obtained expression data for colon and lung tumor and normal FFPE samples and matched frozen samples and found a high correlation between frozen and matched FFPE samples (R² between 0.82 and 0.89), while the signature sets in tumor versus normal comparisons were also quite similar. QPCR confirmed all 16 of the differential expression results from the microarrays that we tested. Differentially expressed signature genes from tumor versus matched normal FFPE tissue from colon and lung were identified as cancer-related, with 95 colon tumor and 67 lung tumor genes identified, respectively.     

Validation of DNA methylation profiling in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Microarray

A formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample usually yields highly degraded DNA, which limits the use of techniques requiring high-quality DNA, such as Infinium Methylation microarrays. To overcome this restriction, we have applied an FFPE restoration procedure consisting of DNA repair and ligation processes in a set of paired fresh-frozen (FF) and FFPE samples. We validated the FFPE results in comparison with matched FF samples, enabling us to use FFPE samples on the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Methylation array.     

Validation of DNA methylation profiling in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Microarray

A formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample usually yields highly degraded DNA, which limits the use of techniques requiring high-quality DNA, such as Infinium Methylation microarrays. To overcome this restriction, we have applied an FFPE restoration procedure consisting of DNA repair and ligation processes in a set of paired fresh-frozen (FF) and FFPE samples. We validated the FFPE results in comparison with matched FF samples, enabling us to use FFPE samples on the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Methylation array.     

拟南芥DNA探针的比较基因组原位杂交揭示的拟南芥与远缘植物基因组间的同源性

采用生物素标记的拟南芥基因组DNA探针在75%杂交严谨度下对双子叶植物番茄、蚕豆和单子叶植物水稻、玉米、大麦的染色体进行了比较基因组荧光原位杂交（comparative genomic in situ hybridization,cGISH）分析,以揭示拟南芥与远缘植物基因组间的同源性.cGISH信号代表了拟南芥基因组DNA中的重复DNA与靶物种染色体上同源序列的杂交.探针DNA在所有靶物种的全部染色体上都产生了杂交信号.杂交信号为散在分布,并呈现随基因组增大,杂交信号增多,且分布更加分散的趋势.所有靶物种的核仁组织区（NOR）都显示了明显强于其他区域的杂交信号,表明拟南芥基因组DNA探针可用于植物NOR的物理定位.在所有的靶物种中,信号主要分布在染色体的臂中间区和末端,着丝粒或近着丝粒区有少数信号分布.大麦染色体显示了与C-和N-带不同的独特的cGISH信号带型,表明此探针可用于不同植物染色体的识别.这些结果表明,拟南芥基因组与远缘植物基因组之间,除rDNA和端粒重复序列外,还存在其它同源的重复DNA;一些重复DNA序列在被子植物分歧进化为单子叶和双子叶植物之前就已存在,虽经历了长期的进化过程,至今在远缘物种之间仍保持了较高的同源性.结果还提示,大基因组中古老而保守的重复DNA在进化过程中发生了明显的扩增.     

Genomic characterization of some Iranian children with idiopathic mental retardation using array comparative genomic hybridization

BACKGROUND:

Mental retardation (MR) has a prevalence of 1-3% and genetic causes are present in more than 50% of patients. Chromosomal abnormalities are one of the most common genetic causes of MR and are responsible for 4-28% of mental retardation. However, the smallest loss or gain of material visible by standard cytogenetic is about 4 Mb and for smaller abnormalities, molecular cytogenetic techniques such as array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) should be used. It has been shown that 15-25% of idiopathic MR (IMR) has submicroscopic rearrangements detectable by array CGH. In this project, the genomic abnormalities were investigated in 32 MR patients using this technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with IMR with dysmorphism were investigated in this study. Karyotype analysis, fragile X and metabolic tests were first carried out on the patients. The copy number variation was then assessed in a total of 32 patients with normal results for the mentioned tests using whole genome oligo array CGH. Multiple ligation probe amplification was carried out as a confirmation test.

RESULTS:

In total, 19% of the patients showed genomic abnormalities. This is reduced to 12.5% once the two patients with abnormal karyotypes (upon re-evaluation) are removed.

CONCLUSION:

The array CGH technique increased the detection rate of genomic imbalances in our patients by 12.5%. It is an accurate and reliable method for the determination of genomic imbalances in patients with IMR and dysmorphism.     

Efficient extraction of proteins from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues requires higher concentration of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane

Background

Numerous formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded clinical tissues have been created in the past decades and stored in pathological depositories at hospitals as well as in clinical laboratories worldwide. In addition to the archived tissues, formaldehyde-fixation is also mandatory for preparing proteomics samples from diseased patients or animal models in order to inactivate contagious agents. Protein extraction from formaldehyde-fixed tissues is hampered by the Schiff base formation between the amino groups of proteins and formaldehyde. Although achievement of the highest extraction efficiency of proteins from the formaldehyde-fixed tissues is essential for obtaining maximum proteomics information, no attention has been paid to the concentration dependence of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane on the extraction efficacy. We suspected that the concentration of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane affects the protein extraction efficiency because of its property as a primary amine that reverses the Schiff base formation between the primary amines of proteins and formaldehyde. Thus we pursued optimization of the component and protocol of protein extraction buffer to achieve better extraction efficiency of proteins from formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.

Results

In order to simulate protein extraction from diseased tissues we made formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples from mouse liver slices and investigated the protein extraction efficiency and speed by changing the concentration of the protein extraction buffer component tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane under various extraction conditions. We find, as expected, that tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane significantly affects the performance of protein extraction from the formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples both in the extraction yield and in the extraction speed.

Conclusions

We recommend the concentration of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in protein extraction buffer to be higher than 300 mM when extraction is conducted for 90 min at 90°C to achieve the most efficient protein extraction in a shorter time. The information will be essential for performing the most efficient protein extraction from formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples for proteomics analysis.     

不同粪便DNA提取方法比较分析北大核心CSCD

肠道微生物群落结构和多样性与人体疾病密切相关。然而,相关群落结构分析结果可能受到DNA提取质量等实验因素影响。因此,评估不同DNA提取方法对肠道特定种属的提取效果,对于全面、准确获取人体肠道微生物谱,深入探究肠道微生物群落结构具有指导意义。本研究旨在借助实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT qPCR)技术,以DNA提取纯度、浓度,以及对肠道中特定种属微生物基因组DNA的提取丰度为指标,对5种DNA提取方法进行比较分析。结果表明,试剂盒Q的提取效果最佳,特别是对乳杆菌属和双歧杆菌属等革兰氏阳性菌的提取效果较好。N试剂盒的平均DNA提取浓度较Q试剂盒低,但在纯度方面,二者无显著性差异。与其他3种商用试剂盒(M、PSP、TG)相比,N方法对肠道内指定微生物基因组的提取效果仅次于Q试剂盒,位居第二。相比之下,M试剂盒提取所得DNA,质量较高,但浓度偏低,对于肠道内革兰氏阳性菌的提取效果不很理想。TG试剂盒和PSP试剂盒提取所得DNA在浓度、质量以及细菌丰度方面均不及其他验证的试剂盒。综上,Q试剂盒可作为肠道微生态研究相关实验中获取高质量基因组DNA的提取方法。本研究结果为肠道微生态研究相关实验中基因组DNA提取方法的选择提供参考依据。     

Improved reproducibility in genome-wide DNA methylation analysis for PAXgene-fixed samples compared with restored formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded DNA

Formalin fixation has been the standard method for conservation of clinical specimens for decades. However, a major drawback is the high degradation of nucleic acids, which complicates its use in genome-wide analyses. Unbiased identification of biomarkers, however, requires genome-wide studies, precluding the use of the valuable archives of specimens with long-term follow-up data. Therefore, restoration protocols for DNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples have been developed, although they are cost-intensive and time-consuming. An alternative to FFPE and snap-freezing is the PAXgene Tissue System, developed for simultaneous preservation of morphology, proteins, and nucleic acids. In the current study, we compared the performance of DNA from either PAXgene or formalin-fixed tissues to snap-frozen material for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis using the Illumina 450K BeadChip. Quantitative DNA methylation analysis demonstrated that the methylation profile in PAXgene-fixed tissues showed, in comparison with restored FFPE samples, a higher concordance with the profile detected in frozen samples. We demonstrate, for the first time, that DNA from PAXgene conserved tissue performs better compared with restored FFPE DNA in genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. In addition, DNA from PAXgene tissue can be directly used on the array without prior restoration, rendering the analytical process significantly more time- and cost-effective.     

一种蜘蛛基因组DNA的简易提取方法

本文介绍了1种改进的蜘蛛基因组DNA的提取方法.通过与传统DNA提取方法的比较,本方法具有可在常温条件下进行、DNA得率高、简便、经济等优势.     

Plant DNA extraction using silica

Described here is a method that uses silicon dioxide (silica) to extract whole genomic plant DNA of high molecular weight. The protocol is presented in a microcentrifuge format, and yields were approximately 2–4 μg per 200 mg of plant leaf tissue. The method involves fewer steps than many previous extraction protocols and, as shown here for 4 taxonomically distant angiosperms, produces DNA suitable for digestion with restriction endonucleases. The use of commercial kits is not required; the silica costs are comparatively inexpensive (<$0.03 per tube); and CTAB, rather than the more expensive guanidine thiocyanate salt, is used.     

Diversity Suppression-Subtractive Hybridization Array for Profiling Genomic DNA Polymorphisms

Genomlc DNA polymorphlsms are very useful for tracing genetic traits end studying biological diversity among species. Here, we present a method we call the ＂diversity suppresslon-subtractlve hybridization array＂ for effectively profiling genomlc DNA polymorphisms. The method first obtains the subtracted gDNA fragments between any two species by suppression subtraction hybridization （SSH） to establish e subtracted gDNA library, from which diversity SSH arrays are created with the selected subtracted clones. The diversity SSH array hybridizes with the DIG-labeled genomlc DNA of the organism to be assayed. Six closely related Dendrobium species were studied as model samples. Four Dendrobium species as testers were used to perform SSH. A total of 617 subtracted positive clones were obtained from four Dendrobium species, and the average ratio of positive clones was 80.3%. We demonstrated that the average percentage of polymorphlc fragments of palrwlse comparisons of four Dendrobium species was up to 42.4%. A dendrogram of the relatedness of six Dendrobium species was produced according to their polymorphic profiles. The results revealed that the diversity SSH array Is a highly effective platform for profiling genomlc DNA polymorphlsms and dendrograms.     

CGcgh: a tool for molecular karyotyping using DNA microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH)

Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) is a technique by which variations in copy numbers between two genomes can be analyzed using DNA microarrays. Array CGH has been used to survey chromosomal amplifications and deletions in fetal aneuploidies or cancer tissues. Herein we report a user-friendly, MATLAB-based, array CGH analyzing program, Chang Gung comparative genomic hybridization (CGcgh), as a standalone PC version. The analyzed chromosomal data are displayed in a graphic interface, and CGcgh allows users to launch a corresponding G-banding ideogram. The abnormal DNA copy numbers (gains and losses) can be identified automatically using a user defined window size (default value is 50 probes) and sequential student t-tests with sliding windows along with chromosomes. CGcgh has been tested in multiple karyotype-confirmed human samples, including five published cases and trisomies 13, 18, 21 and X from our laboratories, and 18 cases of which microarray data are available publicly. CGcgh can be used to detect the copy number changes in small genomic regions, which are commonly encountered by clinical geneticists. CGcgh works well for the data from cDNA microarray, spotted oligonucleotide microarrays, and Affymetrix Human Mapping Arrays (10K, 100K, 500K Array Sets). The program can be freely downloaded from . Y. S. Lee and A. Chao contributed equally to this work.     

Critical comparison of sample preparation strategies for shotgun proteomic analysis of formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded samples: insights from liver tissue

Background

The growing field of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue proteomics holds promise for improving translational research. Direct tissue trypsinization (DT) and protein extraction followed by in solution digestion (ISD) or filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) are the most common workflows for shotgun analysis of FFPE samples, but a critical comparison of the different methods is currently lacking.

Experimental design

DT, FASP and ISD workflows were compared by subjecting to the same label-free quantitative approach three independent technical replicates of each method applied to FFPE liver tissue. Data were evaluated in terms of method reproducibility and protein/peptide distribution according to localization, MW, pI and hydrophobicity.

Results

DT showed lower reproducibility, good preservation of high-MW proteins, a general bias towards hydrophilic and acidic proteins, much lower keratin contamination, as well as higher abundance of non-tryptic peptides. Conversely, FASP and ISD proteomes were depleted in high-MW proteins and enriched in hydrophobic and membrane proteins; FASP provided higher identification yields, while ISD exhibited higher reproducibility.

Conclusions

These results highlight that diverse sample preparation strategies provide significantly different proteomic information, and present typical biases that should be taken into account when dealing with FFPE samples. When a sufficient amount of tissue is available, the complementary use of different methods is suggested to increase proteome coverage and depth.     

用于SCAR检测的基因组DNA简易提取法

用一种简单的方法,无需接触有毒的有机试剂,无需离心,即可从小麦叶片中提取完整的基因组DNA,质量满足SCAR检测的要求,该方法可在短时间内制备大量样品,适于进行遗传连锁性分析时对F2分离群体的单株检测和分子标记辅助选择时筛选育种材料,操作简单,实用性强,值得推广。     

金丝小枣基因组DNA的优化提取方法

采用SDS和CTAB两种方法分离提取金丝小枣基因组DNA,并比较其提取效果。结果表明,改进后的CTAB法可获得高质量、高得率的基因组DNA,可用于金丝小枣的各种分子生物学研究。