Thylakoid-bound chloroplast DNA from spinach is enriched for replication forks

Chloroplast DNA is bound to the thylakoids of spinach chloroplasts. To examine a possible role for thylakoid-bound DNA in chloroplast DNA replication, vesicles formed by treating chloroplasts in 3.5 mM MgCl2 were used. Chloroplast DNA fragments are bound to the surface of these vesicles. Chloroplast DNA isolated from vesicles that had been first treated with Eco R1 contained 10% of branched fragments whereas chloroplast DNA isolated from intact chloroplasts and treated with Eco R1 contained 2% of branched fragments. This result is consistent with the growing replication fork of chloroplast DNA being associated with the chloroplast internal membrane system. Branched fragments from the chloroplast DNA digested with Eco R1 prior to the isolation from the vesicle contained fragments of unequal length. Membrane binding in chloroplasts may have a similar role in DNA replication as it does in bacteria.     

水稻OsNCED3基因的RNAi载体构建

水稻OsNCED3基因是水稻抗逆过程中重要的基因之一.以水稻中花10号幼苗为材料,提取基因组DNA.设计引物扩增区段cDNA并引入相应的酶切位点,以基因组DNA作为模板,进行RNAi-OsNCED3顺式和反式目的片段的PCR扩增.将PCR产物连接到pMD19-T载体上,经酶切和PCR检测后进行测序.测序结果表明:RNAi-OsNCED3顺式和反式目的片段均已正确的连接到pMD19-T载体上.然后将RNAi-OsNCED3顺式和反式目的片段通过酶切和连接,连接到含有发夹结构的质粒pFGC5941上.PCR及双酶切结果显示,构建的pFGC5941-OsNCED3即RNAi-OsNCED3载体结构完整.     

New cloning vectors and techniques for easy and rapid restriction mapping

We have modified plasmid, phage lambda and cosmid cloning vectors to be of general use for easily and unambiguously determining restriction maps of recombinant DNA molecules. Each vector is constructed so that it contains the rarely found NotI restriction site joined to a short synthetic linker sequence that is followed by a multiple cloning site. DNA cloned into these vectors may be restriction-mapped by either of two methods. In one technique, the cloned DNA is completely digested with NotI, followed by partial digestion with any other restriction enzyme. After electrophoresis and transfer to a nylon membrane, the fragments are hybridized to a labeled probe complementary to the NotI linker. In the second technique, referred to as recession hybridization detection, cloned DNA is digested with NotI and then briefly treated with exonuclease III to recess the 3' ends. After hybridizing a labeled complementary oligodeoxynucleotide to the single-stranded 5' end containing the linker sequence, the DNA is partially digested with another restriction enzyme, electrophoresed and the gel is exposed to x-ray film. With either method the size of each labeled fragment corresponds directly to the distance that a restriction site is located from the NotI linker terminus. Methods for obtaining partial restriction enzyme digests have been devised so that as many as 20 different enzymes may be conveniently mapped on a single gel in little more than a day. The vectors and techniques described may also be adapted to automated or semi-automated devices that read fragment lengths and calculate the resulting restriction map.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular characterization of Penicillium expansum MUCL mutants

The modern biomolecular analysis of DNA was carried out to determine the identity of Penicillium expansum MUCL V1-V9 Variants with parental strain of Penicillium expansum MUCL 29412 and to compare the results with Penicillium verrucosum, a related species. The extracted DNAs were fragmented by digestion with restriction endonuclease Hind III and the fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNAs were then denaturated in the gel after partial depurination with dilute acid and were transferred to a nylon membrane. The membrane was incubated with 32P-labeled probe, which was a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the DNA that was to be detected on the filter. The hybridization of the restriction fragments was performed for a highly qualitative comparison of the digested fragments. The analysis of the DNA profile, the most important stage in DNA identity testing, confirms the identity of the DNA for all strains of Penicillium expansum MUCL, except for V5 Variant.     

Southern blotting

This protocol describes a basic method to perform the Southern blot. Blotting allows the detection of specific molecules among a mixture separated by gel electrophoresis. Molecules are transferred from the gel to a porous membrane by capillary action using absorbent paper to soak solution through the gel and the membrane. For DNA, specific sequences are detected in the membrane by molecular hybridization with labeled nucleic acid probes. The original method, on which this protocol is based, used labeled RNAs to detect specific DNA fragments in genomic DNA that had been digested with restriction endonucleases. This protocol can be completed in 1-5 d and is inexpensive to carry out, as it requires only basic laboratory equipment.     

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis of Staphylococcus aureus

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis is a technique of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis that enables the resolution of large fragments of DNA that cannot be resolved by conventional gel electrophoresis. The procedure involves the application of controlled electric fields that change direction at a predetermined angle to samples of DNA that have been embedded in an agarose gel matrix and digested with a restriction endonuclease. Adjustment of the electrophoresis conditions enables the separation of DNA fragments with lengths from 10 kilobases up to 9 megabases in a size-dependent manner in agarose gels. The banding patterns can be used for epidemiological typing, the separated DNA can be immobilized onto a membrane and used for genetic mapping, or individual fragments can be extracted and used for downstream genetic manipulations. The protocol requires specialized equipment and can be completed in a maximum of 7 days.     

Measurement of telomere length by the Southern blot analysis of terminal restriction fragment lengths

In this protocol we describe a method to obtain telomere length parameters using Southern blots of terminal restriction fragments (TRFs). We use this approach primarily for epidemiological studies that examine leukocyte telomere length. However, the method can be adapted for telomere length measurements in other cells whose telomere lengths are within its detection boundaries. After extraction, DNA is inspected for integrity, digested, resolved by gel electrophoresis, transferred to a membrane, hybridized with labeled probes and exposed to X-ray film using chemiluminescence. Although precise and highly accurate, the method requires a considerable amount of DNA (3 μg per sample) and it measures both the canonical and noncanonical components of telomeres. The method also provides parameters of telomere length distribution in each DNA sample, which are useful in answering questions beyond those focusing on the mean length of telomeres in a given sample. A skilled technician can measure TRF length in ～130 samples per week.     

两株蓖麻蚕核型多角体病毒DNA同源性的研究

两株不同来源的蓖麻蚕核型多角体病毒(ArscsNPV和ArNPV)经提纯后,使用SDS—苯酚抽提病毒核酸,并使用限制性内切酶EcoRI,BamHI酶解后,用分子杂交方法与缺口平移标记的ArscsNPV-DNA探针杂交,分析了两株蓖麻蚕NPV病毒核酸的同源性。EcoRI酶解的ArNPV-DNA产生8个片段,其中5个片段能与ArscsNPV-DNA探针杂交。BamHI酶解ArNPV-DNA产生7个片段,其中6个片段能与ArscsNPV-DNA探针杂交。结果表明:两株蓖麻蚕NPV之间病毒核酸具有很高的同源性。使用斑点杂交方法分析了ArscsNPV与ArNPV,柞蚕NPV及家蚕NPV之间的核酸同源性,结果表明:ArscsNPV与ArNPV,柞蚕NPV具有同源性。而与家蚕NPV无核酸同源性。     

Development of a fluorophore-ribosomal DNA restriction typing method for monitoring structural shifts of microbial communities

DNA restriction fragment polymorphism technologies such as amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) have been widely used in investigating microbial community structures. However, these methods are limited due to either the low resolution or sensitivity. In this study, a fluorophore-ribosomal DNA restriction typing (f-DRT) approach is developed for structural profiling of microbial communities. 16S rRNA genes are amplified from the community DNA and digested by a single restriction enzyme Msp I. All restriction fragments are end-labeled with a fluorescent nucleotide Cy5-dCTP via a one-step extension reaction and detected with an automated DNA sequencer. All 50 predicted restriction fragments between 100 and 600 bp were detected when twelve single 16S rRNA gene sequences were analyzed using f-DRT approach; 92% of these fragments were determined with accuracy of ±2 bp. In the defined model communities containing five components with different ratios, relative abundance of each component was correctly revealed by this method. The f-DRT analysis also showed structural shifts of intestinal microbiota in carcinogen-treated rats during the formation of precancerous lesions in the colon, as sensitive as multiple digestion-based T-RFLP analysis. This study provides a labor and cost-saving new method for monitoring structural shifts of microbial communities.     

Structure of eukaryotic chromatin. Evaluation of periodicity using endogenous and exogenous nucleases.

DNA isolated from (a) liver chromatin digested in situ with endogenous Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent endonuclease, (b) prostate chromatin digested in situ with micrococcal nuclease or pancreatic DNAase I, and (c) isolated liver chromatin digested with micrococcal nuclease or pancreatic DNAase I has been analyzed electrophoretically on polyacrylamide gels. The electrophoretic patterns of DNA prepared from chromatin digested in situ with either endogenous endonuclease (liver nuclei) or micrococcal nuclease (prostate nuclei) are virtually identical. Each pattern consists of a series of discrete bands representing multiples of the smallest fragment of DNA 200 +/- 20 base pairs in length. The smallest DNA fragment (monomer) accumulates during prolonged digestion of chromatin in situ until it accounts for nearly all of the DNA on the gel; approx. 20% of the DNA of chromatin is rendered acid soluble during this period. Digestion of liver chromatin in situ in the presence of micrococcal nuclease results initially in the reduction of the size of the monomer from 200 to 170 base pairs of DNA and subsequently results in its conversion to as many as eight smaller fragments. The electrophoretic pattern obtained with DNA prepared from micrococcal nuclease digests of isolated liver chromatin is similar, but not identical, to that obtained with liver chromatin in situ. These preparations are more heterogeneous and contain DNA fragments smaller than 200 base pairs in length. These results suggest that not all of the chromatin isolated from liver nuclei retains its native structure. In contrast to endogenous endonuclease and micrococcal nuclease digests of chromatin, pancreatic DNAase I digests of isolated chromatin and of chromatin in situ consist of an extremely heterogeneous population of DNA fragments which migrates as a continuum on gels. A similar electrophoretic pattern is obtained with purified DNA digested by micrococcal nuclease. The presence of spermine (0.15 mM) and spermidine (0.5 mM) in preparative and incubation buffers decreases the rate of digestion of chromatin by endogenous endonuclease in situ approx. 10-fold, without affecting the size of the resulting DNA fragments. The rates of production of the smallest DNA fragments, monomer, dimer, and trimer, are nearly identical when high molecular weight DNA is present in excess, indicating that all of the chromatin multimers are equally susceptible to endogenous endonuclease. These observations points out the effects of various experimental conditions on the digestion of chromatin by nucleases.     

A rapid two-dimensional fractionation of DNA restriction fragments

Genomic DNA that has been digested with a restriction endonuclease and fractionated by electrophoresis on an agarose gel can be recovered on glass-fiber filters by a new blotting scheme. The DNA fragments in each fraction are then digested with a second restriction nuclease and then separated on a slab gel, resulting in a two-dimensional display of the restriction fragments. This rapid fingerprinting technique is useful in the analysis of complex genomes and in the isolation and cloning of particular sequences.     

Isolation of single-stranded DNA from loop-mediated isothermal amplification products.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), in which a specific DNA sequence can be directly amplified under isothermal conditions, yields DNA in large quantities of more than 500 microg/ml. We have developed a method to isolate single-stranded DNA fragments from LAMP products that are stem-loop DNAs with several inverted repeats of the target DNA. This method requires the TspRI restriction enzyme, a primer hybridized to the 3' overhanging sequence at its cleavage site, and a DNA polymerase with strand displacement activity. The LAMP products are digested with TspRI and are then extended using the primer, producing the strand-specific DNA fragments. All processes, from LAMP reaction to primer extension, can be carried out at the same temperature. The use of strand-specific DNA would be conducive for detection by hybridization technique such as DNA microarrays.     

Use of DNA fingerprinting to determine parentage in muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus).

The detection of high levels of genetic variability by DNA fingerprinting probes has allowed researchers to accurately assess relatedness. Multiple-mating strategies are characteristic of the mating systems of small mammals. As such, techniques that provide an accurate indication of how individuals are related genetically is of great importance to assess the mating system of a species. In this study, we applied the DNA fingerprinting technique to captive and wild muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) to determine its usefulness for parentage analysis in wild populations. We found that DNA digested with the restriction enzyme Hae III and probed with Jeffrey's minisatellite 33. 15 identified a large amount of polymorphism in both groups of muskrats. The DNA fingerprinting technique correctly assessed parentage within the captive group. In the wild population, paternity was assigned between two adult males based on diagnostic fragments and similarity of banding patterns. The likelihood that paternity could be misassigned to a full sibling was high in this free-ranging population. However, because natal dispersal in muskrats is male biased, it is unlikely that two brothers would associate with the same female.     

六株成团肠杆菌 (Enterobacteragglomerans)接合子的分子生物学分析

对 6株成团肠杆菌 (Enterobacteragglomerans)接合子的分子生物学进行了分析 .6株菌与nifHDK基因有杂交 .菌株总DNA经BamHⅠ酶切后与pEA9 DNA进行Southern杂交 ,只有 2株菌具有完整的质粒DNA ,其余菌株质粒DNA发生了 15 3～ 137 7kb不同程度的缺失 .用切割位点较少的限制性内切酶XbaⅠ酶切 6株菌的总DNA ,经脉冲场凝胶电泳 (PFGE)后用pEA9 DNA为探针进行Southern杂交 ,每株菌的pEA9 DNA明显大于用BamHⅠ酶切后的杂交结果 ,表明质粒与染色体发生了整合 .转座子Tn5或插入序列IS 12 2 2和IS 12 71可能参与质粒与染色体的整合过程 .     

LoxP-directed cloning: use of Cre recombinase as a universal restriction enzyme.

We have developed a novel way to use the Cre/loxP system for in vitro manipulation of DNA and a technique to clone DNA into circular episomes. The method is fast, reliable, and allowsflexible cloning of DNA fragments into episomes containing a loxP site. We show that a loxP site can serve as a universal target site to clone a DNA fragment digested with any restriction enzyme(s). This technique abolishes the need for compatible restriction sites in cloning vectors and targets by generating custom-designed 5' 3', or blunt ends in the desired orientation and reading frame in the vector Therefore, this method eliminates the limitations encountered when DNA fragments are cloned into vectors with a confined number of cloning sites. The 34-bp loxP sequence assures uniqueness, even when large episomes are manipulated. We present three examples, including the manipulation of a bacterial artificial chromosome. Because DNA manipulation takes place at a loxP site, we refer to this technique as loxP-directed cloning.     

A rapid in vitro method for obtaining RNA accessibility patterns for complementary DNA probes: correlation with an intracellular pattern and known RNA structures.

A technique is described to identify the rare sequences within an RNA molecule that are available for efficient interaction with complementary DNA probes: the target RNA is digested by RNase H in the presence of a random pool of complementary DNA fragments generated from the same DNA preparation that was used for target RNA synthesis. The DNA region was amplified by PCR, partially digested with DNase and denatured prior to RNA binding. In the presence of single-stranded DNA fragments the RNA was digested with RNase H such that, on average, each molecule was cut once. Cleavage sites were detected by gel electrophoresis either directly with end-labeled RNA or by primer extension. The pattern of accessible sites on c- raf mRNA was determined and compared with the known profile of activity of oligonucleotides found in cells, showing the merit of the method for predicting oligonucleotides which are efficient for in vivo antisense targeting. New susceptible sites in the 3'-untranslated region of c- raf mRNA were identified. Also, four RNAs were probed to ascertain to what extent structure predicts accessibility: the P4-P6 domain of the Tetrahymena group I intron, yeast tRNAAsp, Escherichia coli tmRNA and a part of rat 18S rRNA.     

Solid-Phase Nested Deletion: A New Subcloning-less Method for Generating Nested Deletions

We have developed a new subcloning-less method for generatingnested deletions which we have termed Solid-Phase Nested Deletion.The basic procedure for this method is as follows. The targetDNA fragment is cloned in the multiple cloning site of a cloningvector, pUC or its derivatives, and amplified by PCR using aset of primers, one of which is 5'-biotinylated. The amplifiedDNA is partially digested by a restriction enzyme with a 4-baserecognition sequence. The digested DNA is ligated with a syntheticadapter DNA. Monodiverse beads coupled with streptavidin (Dynabeads^TMM-280 streptavidin) are added to the mixture and the biotinylatedDNA fragments are separated by applying magnetic field. Theunidirectionally deleted DNA fragments are recovered by PCRfrom the magnetic beads, and size-fractionated by agarose gelelectrophoresis. The DNA fragments are amplified by PCR andused for sequencing. We demonstrate the potential of this methodusinga 4878-bp EcoRI fragment of phage DNA.     

Nuclear reassemblyin vitro is independent of nucleosome/chromatin assembly

It was show11 that nuclear reassembly was induced by small pieces of DNA fragments in cell-free extracts ofXenopus. In an attempt to learn the relationship between the nuclear reassembly and nucleosome/chromatin assembly, limited amounts of CM-Cellulose are used to eliminate the capacity of the egg extract S-150 to assemble chromatin. while the forming of nucleosomes is checked with DNA supercoiling by plasmid DNA pBR322 incubated in the extract, and further analysed by micrococcal nuclease digestion. This depleted extract is then used to induce nuclear reassembly around demembraned sperms with membrane vesicles. It is found that CM-Cellulose depletes histones H2A and H2B efficiently and blocks the assembly of nucleosomes, the demembraned sperms are yet reconstituted into nuclei in the treated S-150, although the chromatin in reassembled nuclei does not produce protected DNA fragments when digested with micrococcal nuclease. It suggests that in the cell-free system ofXenopus, DNA can be formed into nuclei without assembly of nucleosomes or chromatin.     

Nuclear reassembly in vitro is independent of nucleosome/chromatin assembly

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Genome walking of large fragments: an improved method

The PCR-based genome walking method has been commonly used to isolate upstream regions from known cDNA sequences. The limitation of this technique is based on the location of the restriction site upstream to the gene-specific primer in the genome; hence, different restriction enzymes have to be used to isolate larger upstream fragments. In this paper, we present the advantageous use of partial and size-selected DNA as templates for genome walking, in isolating larger upstream fragments. We have successfully tested this approach to isolate larger upstream fragments using the FailSafe PCR System. Use of partial digestion and size selection can provide better chances in obtaining larger flanking regions of known DNA sequence, when compared to use of total digested DNA.