Identification of plant-derived genetically modified organisms in food and feed using a hydrogel oligonucleotide microchip

A method of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by hybridization on a hydrogel oligonucleotide biochip was developed for simultaneous identification of ten different transgenic elements of plant DNA in food and feed products. The biochip contained 22 immobilized oligonucleotide probes that were intended for (1) detection of plant DNA, (2) determination of plant species (soybean, maize, potato, and rice), and (3) identification of transgenic elements, including sequences of 35S CaMV, 35S FMV, rice actin gene promoters, nos, 35S CaMV, ocs, pea rbcS1 gene terminators, and bar, gus, and nptII marker genes. The limit of detection was 0.5% for genetically modified (GM) soybean and maize in the analyzed samples. The tests on food and feed products using the developed approach and real-time PCR showed full agreement in determination of transgenic DNA in the samples. The proposed assay can be used for selection of GM samples by screening food and feed products for subsequent quantitative determination of GM component based on the identified transgene.     

山西市场动物饲料中转基因成分的检测

为了评估转基因玉米和大豆在山西动物饲料市场的占有率和标识情况,采用改良十六烷基三甲基溴化铵法 (Hexadecyltrimethy ammonium bromide, CTAB) 提取山西市场抽取的30份鸡和猪饲料,通过定性PCR打包筛查,对检测阳性结果打包饲料拆包并检测CaMV 35S启动子、NOS终止子、玉米内标zSSIIb、大豆内标Lectin和CryIA (b)基因。同时检测玉米和大豆转化体事件MON810和GTS40-3-2。结果表明,83.3%的饲料含有转基因成分。所抽取的玉米、大豆、猪饲料和鸡饲料转基因成分阳性率分别为6.67%、100%、93.3%和73.3%。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果与定性PCR一致。结果提示,鸡和猪饲料中转基因成分在山西市场的占有率较高。     

PCR-Free Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms Using Magnetic Capture Technology and Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy

The safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has attracted much attention recently. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification is a common method used in the identification of GMOs. However, a major disadvantage of PCR is the potential amplification of non-target DNA, causing false-positive identification. Thus, there remains a need for a simple, reliable and ultrasensitive method to identify and quantify GMO in crops. This report is to introduce a magnetic bead-based PCR-free method for rapid detection of GMOs using dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS). The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter commonly used in transgenic products was targeted. CaMV35S target was captured by a biotin-labeled nucleic acid probe and then purified using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads through biotin-streptavidin linkage. The purified target DNA fragment was hybridized with two nucleic acid probes labeled respectively by Rhodamine Green and Cy5 dyes. Finally, FCCS was used to detect and quantify the target DNA fragment through simultaneously detecting the fluorescence emissions from the two dyes. In our study, GMOs in genetically engineered soybeans and tomatoes were detected, using the magnetic bead-based PCR-free FCCS method. A detection limit of 50 pM GMOs target was achieved and PCR-free detection of GMOs from 5 µg genomic DNA with magnetic capture technology was accomplished. Also, the accuracy of GMO determination by the FCCS method is verified by spectrophotometry at 260 nm using PCR amplified target DNA fragment from GM tomato. The new method is rapid and effective as demonstrated in our experiments and can be easily extended to high-throughput and automatic screening format. We believe that the new magnetic bead-assisted FCCS detection technique will be a useful tool for PCR-free GMOs identification and other specific nucleic acids.     

饲料原料中转基因成分的PCR检测

采用PCR检测方法从饲料的主要原料豆粕、玉米蛋白粉中成功地检出启动子35S (35S-promoter,originated from cauliflower mosaic virus)、终止子NOS (nopaline synthase-terminator,derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens)、耐除草剂基因EPSPS(5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase)和抗虫基因CryIA（b）(delta-endotoxin,evolved from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki)等转基因成分,并通过扩增玉米自身蛋白基因Zein( a protein extracted from corn gluten)及大豆自身基因Lectin(chitin-binding protein)的引物和阴阳性对照、阴阳性质控,避免假阳性、假阴性结果。该方法已在口岸进口饲料原料转基因检测中得到初步应用。 Abstract:Based on the heterogenous genes usually used in transgenic crops,the PCR technique was performed with primers derived from CaMV 35S promoter(35S-promoter,originated from cauliflower mosaic virus),NOS terminator(nopaline synthase-terminator,derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens),EPSPS(5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene,and CryIA(b)(delta-endotoxin,evolved from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki)gene to detect transgenic agents from feed raw materials of soybean dregs and corn gluten meal,respectively.Endogenous corn Zein(a protein extracted from corn gluten) gene,soybean Lectin(chitin-binding protein) gene and negative,positive control were applied for avoiding false results.The method established here has been succeessfully applied in detecting transgenic elements in imported feed raw material.     

抗草甘膦转基因大豆PCR检测及问题探讨

转基因植物的检测具有重要的意义。用抗草甘膦转基因大豆中的外源CaMV35S启动子、CP4 EPSPS和巢式PCR引物,应用PCR方法,从中扩增出预期大小的DNA片段。将扩增产物回收后测序,经同源性分析扩增产物为CaMV35S启动子和CP4 EPSPS的一部分序列。与常规PCR相比,巢式PCR在检测转基因大豆中具有更高的特异性。讨论了PCR检测过程中假阴性和假阳性的原因。     

Overexpression of maize anthocyanin regulatory gene Lc affects rice fertility

Seventeen independent transgenic rice plants with the maize anthocyanin regulatory gene Lc under control of the CaMV 35S promoter were obtained and verified by molecular identification. Ten plants showed red spikelets during early development of florets, and the degenerate florets were still red after heading. Additionally, these plants exhibited intense pigmentation on the surface of the anther and the bottom of the ovary. They were unable to properly bloom and were completely sterile. Following pollination with normal pollen, these plants yielded red caryopses but did not mature normally. QRT-PCR analysis indicated that mRNA accumulation of the CHS-like gene encoding a chalcone synthase-related protein was increased significantly in the sterile plant. This is the first report to suggest that upregulation of the CHS gene expression may result in rice sterility and affect the normal development of rice seeds.     

Heat-inducible expression of FLP gene in maize cells

The soybean heat-shock gene promoter ( Gmhsp 17.5-E ) has been used to direct expression of gusA and FLP genes in maize cells. At inducible temperatures, in transient expression assays, gusA gene expression controlled by the heat-shock promoter is about 10-fold higher than the expression directed by the CaMV 35S promoter. The Gmhsp 17.5-E promoter preserves its regulatory functions in heterologous maize cells after random integration into genomic DNA.
Heat-shock inducible expression of the FLP gene was investigated by co-transformation of the FLP expression vector (pHsFLP) and a recombination test vector (pUFNeo-FmG) into maize protoplasts. Co-transformed protoplasts were incubated at 42°C for 2 h. This treatment induced recombination of 20–25% of the available FRT sites in transient assays. As a result of heat-shock treatment of stably co-transformed maize cells, activation of gusA gene expression and an associated decrease or elimination of NPT-II activity in transgenic maize lines was observed. Molecular evidence was obtained of the expected DNA excision process catalyzed by the FLP protein in maize transgenic cells. Thus, the experiments presented in this paper indicate that the FLP protein can recognize and subsequently recombine the FRT target sites that had integrated into plant genomic DNA, and that regulated expression of the FLP gene is possible in maize cells using the soybean heat-shock promoter.     

抗草甘膦转基因大豆PCR的检测

目的:建立快速、有效的鉴别转基因作物与非转基因作物及其产品的检测方法体系。方法:用抗草甘膦转基因大豆中的外源CaMV35S启动子和CP4-EPSPS基因引物,应用PCR方法,从中扩增出预期大小的DNA片段,将扩增产物回收后测序。结果:经同源性分析,扩增产物为CaMV35S启动子和CP4-EPSPS基因的一部分序列。结论:初步建立了转基因大豆的检测方法,同时讨论了PCR检测过程中假阴性和假阳性的原因。     

5种转基因油菜转化体特异性多重PCR检测方法

【目的】全球转基因植物及其产品的数量和种类越来越多,迫切需要可同时精准高效检测多个转化载体的检测方法。【方法】针对RF1、MS8、Topas19/2、Oxy235和RF3等5个转基因油菜品系的侧翼序列及油菜内源基因cruciferin A(Cru A)序列设计多重聚合酶链式反应特异性引物,通过对转基因油菜、转基因大豆、转基因玉米、转基因水稻、转基因棉花等不同作物进行PCR扩增来测试所选择的引物特异性,优化多重PCR反应引物的浓度,用所建立的检测体系对不同混合比例的转基因油菜进行多重PCR扩增来测试所建立的检测方法的灵敏度。【结果】通过测试,仅在含有目标样品中检测出阳性结果,灵敏度达0.05%,表明所建立的6重PCR检测方法可同时精准检测RF1、MS8、Topas19/2、Oxy235和RF3等5种转基因油菜转化载体。【结论】所建立的6重转基因油菜转化体特异性PCR检测方法通量高、特异性好、灵敏度高,符合有关转基因产品检测的要求,可作为转基因油菜检测的有效方法。     

Monitoring the occurrence of genetically modified soybean and maize around cultivated fields and at a grain receiving port in Korea

Increased imports of genetically modified (CM) soybean and maize might cause genetic contamination of those crops that are conventionally bred, as well as wild soybeans within Korea. Leaves of maize and both cultivated and wild soybeans were sampled in and near rural fields to detect the presence of transgenes. Roadsides around a major grain port in Incheon were also surveyed to monitor the occurrence of incoming CM soybean and maize. The amplificability of DNA extracted from the collected samples was determined by PCR using soybean- or maize-specific primers: lectin and zein genes, respectively. The presence or absence of transgenes was detected by primer sets for the 35S and nos genes. Transgenes were not found in the cultivated or wild soybean or in the maize collected from cultivated fields. However, we obtained one GM maize plant among seven along the roadsides around Incheon Port. Although the effect of a single GM maize plant would be negligible and would not pose any threat to natural environments, an increase in the import of GM plants might lead to future, unapproved cultivation of GM crops. Therefore, appropriate monitoring is necessary to detect the occurrence of GM plants in areas around grain receiving ports and within agroecosystems.     

Assessing the Transfer of Genetically Modified DNA from Feed to Animal Tissues

In Europe, public and scientific concerns about the environmental and food safety of GM (Genetically Modified) crops overshadow the potential benefits offered by crop biotechnology to improve food quality. One of the concerns regarding the use of GM food in human and animal nutrition is the effect that newly introduced sequences may have on the organism. In this paper, we assess the potential transfer of diet-derived DNA to animal tissues after consumption of GM plants. Blood, spleen, liver, kidney and muscle tissues from piglets fed for 35 days with diets containing either GM (MON810) or a conventional maize were investigated for the presence of plant DNA. Only fragments of specific maize genes (Zein, Sh-2) could be detected with different frequencies in all the examined tissues except muscle. A small fragment of the Cry1A(b) transgene was detected in blood, liver, spleen and kidney of the animals raised with the transgenic feed. The intact Cry1A(b) gene or its minimal functional unit were never detected. Statistical analysis of the results showed no difference in recovery of positives for the presence of plant DNA between animals raised with the transgenic feed and animals raised with the conventional feed, indicating that DNA transfer may occur independently from the source and the type of the gene. From the data obtained, we consider it unlikely that the occurrence of genetic transfer associated with GM plants is higher than that from conventional plants.     

核酸层析法转基因快速检测体系的建立及应用

随着我国转基因研究及产业化进程提速,转基因检测的重要性日益凸显,因而快速、高效的分子检测新方法的研发具有重要的生产实践及科研意义。在转基因检测中,常规PCR技术具有检测范围广的特点,但较为费时费力,且对实验条件要求较高;而胶体金蛋白试纸法检测方便、快捷,但可检范围窄。基于此,建立了一套基于核酸层析法快速转基因检测的方法体系。将经液氨研磨后的样品通过一管法提取DNA后直接进行PCR扩增,再将PCR扩增产物滴加到胶体金检测卡上,通过直接观察胶体金卡条显色状况进行结果判别。此方法最终检验出玉米内参基因ZSSⅡB及Zein、大豆内参基因SPS、水稻内参基因Lectin,转基因元件启动子CaMV35S及终止子NOS,以及抗虫基因Cry1Ab/1Ac、抗除草剂基因Bar、Pat、CP4-EPSPS及选择标记基因NPTⅡ、Pmi等外源基因;并成功检出特异性转基因事件Mir604及Bt11。研究获得的核酸层析检测方法具有灵敏度高、省时省力且对检测条件要求低等优点,集PCR法与蛋白试纸检测法二者优势于一身,可广泛应用于转基因产品的精确快速检测,为我国转基因生物安全监管提供了良好的技术支撑。     

A novel multiplex quantitative DNA array based PCR (MQDA-PCR) for quantification of transgenic maize in food and feed

We have developed a novel multiplex quantitative DNA array based PCR method (MQDA-PCR). The MQDA-PCR is general and may be used in all areas of biological science where simultaneous quantification of multiple gene targets is desired. We used quantification of transgenic maize in food and feed as a model system to show the applicability of the method. The method is based on a two-step PCR. In the first few cycles bipartite primers containing a universal 5′ ‘HEAD’ region and a 3′ region specific to each genetically modified (GM) construct are employed. The unused primers are then degraded with a single-strand DNA-specific exonuclease. The second step of the PCR is run containing only primers consisting of the universal HEAD region. The removal of the primers is essential to create a competitive, and thus quantitative PCR. Oligo nucleotides hybridising to internal segments of the PCR products are then sequence specifically labelled in a cyclic linear signal amplification reaction. This is done both to increase the sensitivity and the specificity of the assay. Hybridisation of the labelled oligonucleotides to their complementary sequences in a DNA array enables multiplex detection. Quantitative information was obtained in the range 0.1–2% for the different GM constructs tested. Seventeen different food and feed samples were screened using a twelve-plex system for simultaneous detection of seven different GM maize events (Bt176, Bt11, Mon810, T25, GA21, CBH351 and DBT418). Ten samples were GM positive containing mainly mixtures of Mon810, Bt11 and Bt176 DNA. One sample contained appreciable amounts of GA21. An eight-plex MQDA-PCR system for detection of Mon810, Bt11 and Bt176 was evaluated by comparison with simplex 5′ nuclease PCRs. There were no significant differences in the quantifications using the two approaches. The samples could, by both methods, be quantified as containing >2%, between 1 and 2%, between 0.1 and 1%, or <0.1% in 43 out of 47 determinations. The described method is modular, and thus suited for future needs in GM detection.     

用PCR和SDS-PAGE两种方法对转基因大豆的检测

采用PCR和SDS-PAGE电泳两种方法对转基因大豆(美国)和非转基因大豆(国内3个不同样品)进行了检测．结果显示：转基因大豆可以检测出195bp的花椰菜花叶病毒启动子(CaMV35S)序列片段和320bp的抗草甘膦基因(EPSPS)片段;SDS-PAGE蛋白质电泳中有一约40kDa的蛋白带出现;而非转基因的3个国内大豆品种中均没有CaMV35S启动子序列片段和抗草甘膦基因片段,SDS-PAGE蛋白质电泳检测也没有发现转基因大豆中存在的40kDa的蛋白带．     

Selective delivery of interleukine-1 receptor antagonist to inflamed joint by albumin fusion

Background

There is an increasing need for quantitative technologies suitable for molecular detection in a variety of settings for applications including food traceability and monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crops and their products through the food processing chain. Conventional molecular diagnostics utilising real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence-based determination of amplification require temperature cycling and relatively complex optics. In contrast, isothermal amplification coupled to a bioluminescent output produced in real-time (BART) occurs at a constant temperature and only requires a simple light detection and integration device.

Results

Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) shows robustness to sample-derived inhibitors. Here we show the applicability of coupled LAMP and BART reactions (LAMP-BART) for determination of genetically modified (GM) maize target DNA at low levels of contamination (0.1-5.0% GM) using certified reference material, and compare this to RT-PCR. Results show that conventional DNA extraction methods developed for PCR may not be optimal for LAMP-BART quantification. Additionally, we demonstrate that LAMP is more tolerant to plant sample-derived inhibitors, and show this can be exploited to develop rapid extraction techniques suitable for simple field-based qualitative tests for GM status determination. We also assess the effect of total DNA assay load on LAMP-BART quantitation.

Conclusions

LAMP-BART is an effective and sensitive technique for GM detection with significant potential for quantification even at low levels of contamination and in samples derived from crops such as maize with a large genome size. The resilience of LAMP-BART to acidic polysaccharides makes it well suited to rapid sample preparation techniques and hence to both high throughput laboratory settings and to portable GM detection applications. The impact of the plant sample matrix and genome loading within a reaction must be controlled to ensure quantification at low target concentrations.     

不同启动子控制下Ac转座酶基因的表达对玉米Ds因子在水稻中切离频率的影响

用水稻愈伤组织比较了Ac启动子、35S启动子与Ubi启动子控制下Ac转座酶基因（Ts）的表达对Ds因子切离频率的影响。结果表明Ubi启动子与Ac转座酶编码区嵌合基因（Ubipro-Ts）反式激活Ds因子的切离频率最高,达到了72.9%。通过杂交将Ubipro-Ts基因导入Ds因子转化植株,得到9株Ubipro-Ts基因与Ds因子共存的F1代杂交水稻植株,其中有8株Ds因子发生了切离。用Inverse-PCR的方法从其中一株杂交植株中克隆到Ds因子的旁邻序列,其DNA顺序与亲本中Ds因子原插入位点的序列不同,表明Ds因子转座到了新的基因组位点。     

Specific 5S ribosomal RNA primers for plant species i dentification in admixtures 3

The DNA sequences of the spacers between the 5S ribosomal RNA genes were determined for the cereals maize, barley, soghum, rye, rice, oat, and wheat. Species-specific primers were designed from the spacer region. PCR with these primers and a common primer from the conserved 5S ribosomal RNA gene sequence was investigated as a method for detection of the seven cereal species. DNA from these species could be specifically detected in mixtures. This technique could find application in the determination of the composition of admixtures or processed cereal products. The protocol described has potential for general application in the identification of plant species.     

A Rapid DNA Extraction Method for RFLP and PCR Analysis from a Single Dry Seed

A single-seed DNA extraction method was developed for rapid identification of plant genotype. The method was applied to 12 plant species, including the oil seeds sesame and soybean. The results were comparable to those obtained for oil-less seeds such as rice. This method will be useful for genotypic selection which requires rapid screening of large populations. It can also be used to identify varietal purity of seed stocks by PCR and RFLP analysis. The method includes two major steps, (i) treatment by proteinase K in an SDS extraction buffer, and (ii) grinding of a single half seed in the buffer after incubation. About 1.5–2 µg of DNA per half seed (the endosperm part) of rice was obtained and more than 200 half seed samples could be handled by one person in a day. The DNA could be used for fingerprinting and detection of target genes in a transgenic plant by PCR. The amplified PCR products from the half seed DNA exhibited the same banding patterns as those from leaf DNA. Yield and quality of DNA extracted from half seeds of rice was also sufficient for RFLP analysis. The remnant half seeds containing the embryo can be maintained for later germination of selected genotypes.     

玉米转基因成分筛查策略

本研究通过查阅相关数据库中转基因玉米品系中的常用遗传转化载体中含有的调控元件和标记基因,并结合目前国内外现有转基因检测标准方法,建立了基于P-CaMV 35S、T-NOS、Bar基因、Pat基因、Cp4-epsps基因、NPTⅡ基因、cry1A基因、P-Rice actin、phy结构特异性片段等9种元件/基因实时荧光PCR方法的玉米转基因筛查策略,并对32种转基因玉米进行筛查实验测试,结果表明本筛查策略可覆盖30种独立性状转化体。同时还构建了包含玉米内标基因及9种目标元件/基因序列的质粒分子,经过验证该质粒分子具有良好的可替代性,可作为阳性对照与本检测方法配套使用。