Comparative Study of Seven Commercial Kits for Human DNA Extraction from Urine Samples Suitable for DNA Biomarker-Based Public Health Studies

Human genomic DNA extracted from urine could be an interesting tool for large-scale public health studies involving characterization of genetic variations or DNA biomarkers as a result of the simple and noninvasive collection method. These studies, involving many samples, require a rapid, easy, and standardized extraction protocol. Moreover, for practicability, there is a necessity to collect urine at a moment different from the first void and to store it appropriately until analysis. The present study compared seven commercial kits to select the most appropriate urinary human DNA extraction procedure for epidemiological studies. DNA yield has been determined using different quantification methods: two classical, i.e., NanoDrop and PicoGreen, and two species-specific real-time quantitative (q)PCR assays, as DNA extracted from urine contains, besides human, microbial DNA also, which largely contributes to the total DNA yield. In addition, the kits giving a good yield were also tested for the presence of PCR inhibitors. Further comparisons were performed regarding the sampling time and the storage conditions. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, an important gene related to smoking has been genotyped using the developed tools. We could select one well-performing kit for the human DNA extraction from urine suitable for molecular diagnostic real-time qPCR-based assays targeting genetic variations, applicable to large-scale studies. In addition, successful genotyping was possible using DNA extracted from urine stored at −20°C for several months, and an acceptable yield could also be obtained from urine collected at different moments during the day, which is particularly important for public health studies.     

Combined expression patterns of QTL-linked candidate genes best predict thermotolerance in Drosophila melanogaster

Knockdown resistance to high temperature (KRHT) is a thermal adaptation trait in Drosophila melanogaster. Here we used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to test for possible associations between KRHT and the expression of candidate genes within quantitative trait loci (QTL) in eight recombinant inbred lines (RIL). hsp60 and hsc70-3 map within an X-linked QTL, while CG10383, catsup, ddc, trap1, and cyp6a13 are linked in a KRHT-QTL on chromosome 2. hsc70-3 expression increased by heat-hardening. Principal Components analysis revealed that catsup, ddc and trap1 were either co-expressed or combined in their expression levels. This composite expression variable (e-PC1) was positively associated to KRHT in non-hardened RIL. In heat-hardened flies, hsp60 was negatively related to hsc70-3 on e-PC2, with effects on KRHT. These results are consistent with the notion that QTL can be shaped by expression variation in combined candidate loci. We found composite variables of gene expression (e-PCs) that best correlated to KRHT. Network effects with other untested linked loci are apparent because, in spite of their associations with KRHT phenotypes, e-PCs were sometimes uncorrelated with their QTL genotype.     

一种快速构建cRNA标准曲线检测基因表达方法的建立

为了建立一种适于实验室乃至常规定量检测mRNA表达的、可快速构建cRNA标准曲线的方法,设计带有T7启动子序列和PolyT序列的引物对目的基因和内参照进行PCR,克隆入载体作为体外合成cRNA的模板,快速构建cRNA标准.结果表明：该曲线的线性范围至少达6个数量级,相关系数为0.99.该法快速、简便,适用于所有靶基因.     

SYBR GREEN实时荧光定量分析牙龈卟啉单胞菌在初次感染和再感染根管内的定植

目的 采用SYBR GREEN实时荧光定量PCR分析和比较牙龈卟啉单胞菌（Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. gingivalis）在初次治疗和再治疗感染根管中的定植情况。方法 选择2013年9月至2014年10月于首都医科大学附属北京口腔医院牙体牙髓科就诊的慢性根尖周炎患者的120颗单根管患牙为研究对象,按初次治疗和再治疗分为2组,每组60人。采用SYBR GREEN 实时荧光定量PCR（real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerasechain reaction,RTFQ-PCR）比较P. gingivalis在两种感染根管内的检出率和DNA表达水平。结果 RTFQ-PCR结果发现P. gingivalis在初次治疗的感染根管内检出率为45.0%,再治疗感染根管的检出率为41.7%,两者间差异无统计学意义（P=0.713）;P. gingivalis在初次治疗的感染根管内的DNA相对表达量（0.197±0.380）和再感染根管内相对表达量（0.449±0.150）比较差异无统计学意义（P=0.301）。结论 P. gingivalis与两种感染根管关系均密切,提示其在初次感染和再感染根尖周炎的发病过程中都发挥致病作用。     

The Detection of Hamster Connexins: A Comparison of Expression Profiles with Wild-Type Mouse and the Cancer-Prone Min Mouse

The open reading frames of 17 connexins from Syrian hamster (using tissues) and 16 connexins from the Chinese hamster cell line V79, were fully (Cx30, Cx31, Cx37, Cx43 and Cx45) or partially sequenced. We have also detected, and partially sequenced, seven rat connexins that previously were unavailable. The expression of connexin genes was examined in some hamster organs and cultured hamster cells, and compared with wild-type mouse and the cancer-prone Min mouse. Although the expression patterns were similar for most organs and connexins in hamster and mouse, there were also some prominent differences (Cx29 and 30.3 in testis; Cx31.1 and 32 in eye; Cx46 in brain, kidney and testis; Cx47 in kidney). This suggests that some connexins have species-specific expression profiles. In contrast, there were minimal differences in expression profiles between wild type and Min mice. Species-specific expression profiles should be considered in attempts to make animal models of human connexin-associated diseases.     

马铃薯卷叶病毒复制酶基因5端克隆及序列分析

马铃薯卷叶病毒（Ｐｏｔａｔｏｌｅａｆｒｏｌｖｉｒｕｓ,ＰＬＲＶ）是正链ＲＮＡ病毒,属黄化病毒组（Ｌｕｔｅｏｖｉｒｕｓ）〔１〕,严格虫传,分布广泛,难以控制,侵染马铃薯能引起大面积减产,给马铃薯生产造成巨大损失。ＰＬＲＶ基因组全长６．０ｋｂ,有６个读...     

Presence of an additional PstI fragment in intron 1 of the chicken growth hormone-encoding gene

A previously unreported 196-bp PstI fragment was found in intron 1 of the gene encoding chicken growth hormone (cGH) when a PCR assay for an MspI restriction fragment length polymorphism was established. A pair of PCR primers was designed according to the published cGH sequence and used to amplify a fragment which contained two MspI sites, one polymorphic and another non-polymorphic. However, amplification of genomic DNA from two strains of meat-type chickens and three strains of White Leghorn chickens yielded a PCR product which was about 200 bp larger than expected. The fragment from one of the meat-type chickens was subcloned into the vector pCR-Script SK⁺, and sequenced. It revealed the presence of an extra fragment of 196 bp which was flanked by the PstI sites and occurred at nt + 308 of the previously reported cGH sequence.     

Competitor internal standards for quantitative detection of mycoplasma DNA

Abstract Homologous internal controls were used as competitor DNA in the polymerase chain reaction for the quantitative detection of mycoplasma DNA. PCR primer sets were designed on the basis of the most conserved nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene of mycoplasma species. Amplification of this gene was examined in five different mycoplasma species: Mycoplasma orale, M. hyorhinus, M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum and M. pneumonias . To evaluate the primers, a number of different cell lines were assayed for the detection of mycoplasma infections. All positive cell lines showed a distinct product on agarose gels while uninfected cells showed no DNA amplification. Neither bacterial nor eukaryotic DNA produced any cross-reaction with the primers used, thus confirming their specificity. Internal control DNA to be used for quantitation was constructed by modifying the sizes of the wild-type amplified products and cloning them in plasmid vectors. These controls used the same primer binding sites as the wild-type and the amplified products were differentiated by a size difference. The detection limits for all the mycoplasma species by competitive quantitative PCR were estimated to range from 4 to 60 genome copies per assay as determined by ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. These internal standards also serve as positive controls in PCR-based detection of mycoplasma DNA, and therefore accidental contamination of test samples with wild-type positive controls can be eliminated. The quantitative PCR method developed will be useful in monitoring the progression and significance of mycoplasma in the disease process.     

人α1/158Ⅴ型(α1c型)干扰素基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及其产物的初步纯化

采用DNA聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术,将本实验室从中国人胎肝细胞染色体DNA中发现和分离的IFN-α1/158V基因的原始克隆,改造成适于进行非融合蛋白原核表达的结构形式,并在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达。测得重组IFN-α1/158V的抗病毒活性为1.9×10~7单位/升菌液。随后又采用以单克隆抗体亲和层析为主的纯化流程对表达产物进行初步纯化,获得了在SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳上呈现单一条带的纯化产物。     

降低差异显示-PCR假阳性和提高重复性的几种策略

简要介绍了几种提高mRNA差异显示重复性和降低假阳性的策略. mRNA差异显示技术从建立时起就引起了科学家的广泛兴趣, 是克隆不同生理或病理过程中差异表达基因的一种高灵敏度、简单、有效的方法.但mRNA差异显示因其假阳性率高和重复性低,限制了其在生命科学中的应用.     

Detection of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Planta by a Real-time PCR Assay

Stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a very serious disease on oilseed rape worldwide. In this study, a pair of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers was designed based on the nucleotide sequence of a DNA region amplified by a microsatellite primer M13. The primer pair amplified a 252-bp fragment from all S. sclerotiorum isolates collected from oilseed rapes at different locations in different years, but not from any other fungus tested. Using this pair of primers, a real-time PCR assay was developed to rapidly detect early infection of S. sclerotiorum on petals of oilseed rape. The real-time PCR assay developed in this study could help growers make a timely decision on fungicide application.