Assessment of the specificity of Burkholderia and Pseudomonas qPCR assays for detection of these genera in soil using 454 pyrosequencing

In this study, two highly specific quantitative PCR assays targeting the bacterial genera Burkholderia and Pseudomonas were developed and evaluated on soil samples. The primers were targeting different multivariate regions of the 16S rRNA gene and designed to be compatible with quantitative PCR and the high throughput 454 pyrosequencing technique. The developed assays were validated using the standard methods. All tests with the new developed assays showed very high specificity. Pyrosequencing was used for direct analysis of the PCR product and applied as a specificity measurement of the primers. The Pseudomonas primers showed a 99% primer specificity, which covered 200 different Pseudomonas sequence clusters in 0.5 g of soil. In contrast to that the same approach using the genus-specific Burkholderia primers showed only 8% primer specificity. This discrepancy in primer specificity between the normal procedures compared with pyrosequencing illustrates that the common validation procedures for quantitative PCR primers may be misleading. Our results exemplify the fact that current 16S RNA gene sequence databases might lack resolution within many taxonomic groups and emphasize the necessity for a standardized and functional primer validation protocol. A possible solution to this could be to supplement the normal verification of quantitative PCR assays with a pyrosequencing approach.     

Rapid duplex PCR assay for the detection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains

For the detection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains, a duplex PCR has been developed based on differences observed between the fingerprint profiles of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. The profiles were obtained by using a primer derived from the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC) sequences. From the sequence of one pathogen-specific amplified fragment, a discriminative primer has been designed bridging the sequence of the highly conserved core region and 3' end of the ERIC element. In combination with three other primers, all located within the detected open reading frame that resembled the sequence of the bipA gene, this primer was applied in a duplex PCR assay to simultaneously detect Y. enterocolitica and to discriminate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. The same primer combinations were used in an on line rapid cycling real-time PCR assay. The used SYBR Green I format allowed for the easy translation of the PCR conditions and confirmation of the resulting amplicons. The time of analysis was reduced to approximately 60 min.     

Evaluation of new gyrB-based real-time PCR system for the detection of B. fragilis as an indicator of human-specific fecal contamination

A rapid and specific gyrB-based real-time PCR system has been developed for detecting Bacteroides fragilis as a human-specific marker of fecal contamination. Its specificity and sensitivity was evaluated by comparison with other 16S rRNA gene-based primers using closely related Bacteroides and Prevotella. Many studies have used 16S rRNA gene-based method targeting Bacteroides because this genus is relatively abundant in human feces and is useful for microbial source tracking. However, 16S rRNA gene-based primers are evolutionarily too conserved among taxa to discriminate between human-specific species of Bacteroides and other closely related genera, such as Prevotella. Recently, one of the housekeeping genes, gyrB, has been used as an alternative target in multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) to provide greater phylogenetic resolution. In this study, a new B. fragilis-specific primer set (Bf904F/Bf958R) was designed by alignments of 322 gyrB genes and was compared with the performance of the 16S rRNA gene-based primers in the presence of B. fragilis, Bacteroides ovatus and Prevotella melaninogenica. Amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to confirm the specificity of the primers to B. fragilis. The gyrB-based primers successfully discriminated B. fragilis from B. ovatus and P. melaninogenica. Real-time PCR results showed that the gyrB primer set had a comparable sensitivity in the detection of B. fragilis when compared with the 16S rRNA primer set. The host-specificity of our gyrB-based primer set was validated with human, pig, cow, and dog fecal samples. The gyrB primer system had superior human-specificity. The gyrB-based system can rapidly detect human-specific fecal source and can be used for improved source tracking of human contamination.     

DNA聚合酶与引物/模板的相互作用对PCR效率的影响

PCR是体外酶促合成特异DNA片段的一种方法,引物的优劣直接关系到PCR的特异性与成功与否。传统的PCR引物设计软件基本上忽略了DNA聚合酶与引物/模板的亲和性对PCR效率的影响。为揭示DNA聚合酶与引物/模板的相互作用是否对PCR的效率有影响,通过构建Taq DNA 聚合酶与不同序列引物/模板DNA相互作用的三维结构模型,采用MM/GBSA方法计算复合物的结合自由能,以结合自由能为参数,为人血清白蛋白基因(Human Serum Albumin gene,HSA gene)和结核杆菌pyrF基因(Mycobacterium tuberculosis pyrF gene)设计了PCR引物。PCR实验结果表明,引物的PCR效率与结合自由能相关：引物与聚合酶的结合自由能越低,PCR实验的效率相对越高。这说明DNA聚合酶与引物/模板的相互作用对PCR效率有重要影响。因此,引物/模板DNA与聚合酶的结合自由能可以作为PCR引物设计的新参数。     

Universal primers for fluorescent labelling of PCR fragments--an efficient and cost-effective approach to genotyping by fluorescence

Directly labelling locus‐specific primers for microsatellite analysis is expensive and a common limitation to small‐budget molecular ecology projects. More cost‐effective end‐labelling of PCR products can be achieved through a three primer PCR approach, involving a fluorescently labelled universal primer in combination with modified locus‐specific primers with 5′ universal primer sequence tails. This technique has been widely used but has been limited largely due to a lack of available universal primers suitable for co‐amplifying large numbers of size overlapping loci and without requiring locus‐specific PCR conditions to be modified. In this study, we report a suite of four high‐performance universal primers that can be employed in a three primer PCR approach for efficient and cost‐effective fluorescent end‐labelling of PCR fragments. Amplification efficiency is maximized owing to high universal primer Tm values (approximately 60+ °C) that enhance primer versatility and enable higher annealing temperatures to be employed compared with commonly used universal primers such as M13. We demonstrate that these universal primers can be combined with multiple fluorophores to co‐amplify multiple loci efficiently via multiplex PCR. This method provides a level of multiplexing and PCR efficiency similar to microsatellite fluorescent detection assays using directly labelled primers while dramatically reducing project costs. Primer performance is tested using several alternative PCR strategies that involve both single and multiple fluorophores in single and multiplex PCR across a wide range of taxa.     

Multiplex quantitative PCR using self-quenched primers labeled with a single fluorophore

Multiplex quantitative PCR based on novel design of fluorescent primers is described. Fluorogenic primers are labeled with a single fluorophore on a base close to the 3′ end with no quencher required. A tail of 5–7 nt is added to the 5′ end of the primer to form a blunt-end hairpin when the primer is not incorporated into a PCR product. This design provides a low initial fluorescence of the primers that increases up to 8-fold upon formation of the PCR product. The hairpin oligonucleotides (ΔG from –1.6 to –5.8 kcal/mol) may be as efficient as linear primers and provide additional specificity to the PCR by preventing primer-dimers and mispriming. Multiple fluorogenic primers were designed by specialized software and used for real-time quantitation of c-myc and IL-4 cDNAs in the presence of reference genes such as β-actin, GAPDH and 18S rRNA. Targets of 10–10⁷ copies were detected with precision in PCR using FAM-labeled primers for variable genes and JOE-labeled primers for the reference genes. This method was also used to detect single nucleotide polymorphism of the human retinal degeneration gene by allele-specific PCR with end-point detection using a fluorescent plate reader or a UV-transilluminator. We conclude that fluorogenic mono-labeled primers are an efficient and cost-effective alternative to FRET-labeled oligonucleotides.     

基于RefSeq的人类基因荧光定量PCR引物库的构建

利用NCBI提供的RefSeq序列,通过BLAT、Sim4和自主开发的剪接比对程序Ealter1.0对人类RefSeq转录本进行外显子预测,根据预测的外显子信息,采用自主开发SYBR Green I Real Time PCR引物设计程序E-qPCR-Design1.0高通量设计21,118对SYBR Green I Real Time PCR引物,同时选取5000条基因进行SYBR Green I Real Time PCR引物验证,95.92%的基因引物取得良好效果,1.64%的基因引物产生引物二聚体,1.08%的基因引物有非特异性扩增,通过生物信息技术分析与实验验证,建立了基于RefSeq的人类基因荧光定量PCR引物库。     

Polymeric LabChip Real-Time PCR as a Point-of-Care-Potential Diagnostic Tool for Rapid Detection of Influenza A/H1N1 Virus in Human Clinical Specimens

It is clinically important to be able to detect influenza A/H1N1 virus using a fast, portable, and accurate system that has high specificity and sensitivity. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop a highly specific primer set that recognizes only influenza A viral genes and a rapid real-time PCR system that can detect even a single copy of the viral gene. In this study, we developed and validated a novel fluidic chip-type real-time PCR (LabChip real-time PCR) system that is sensitive and specific for the detection of influenza A/H1N1, including the pandemic influenza strain A/H1N1 of 2009. This LabChip real-time PCR system has several remarkable features: (1) It allows rapid quantitative analysis, requiring only 15 min to perform 30 cycles of real-time PCR. (2) It is portable, with a weight of only 5.5 kg. (3) The reaction cost is low, since it uses disposable plastic chips. (4) Its high efficiency is equivalent to that of commercially available tube-type real-time PCR systems. The developed disposable LabChip is an economic, heat-transferable, light-transparent, and easy-to-fabricate polymeric chip compared to conventional silicon- or glass-based labchip. In addition, our LabChip has large surface-to-volume ratios in micro channels that are required for overcoming time consumed for temperature control during real-time PCR. The efficiency of the LabChip real-time PCR system was confirmed using novel primer sets specifically targeted to the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza A/H1N1 and clinical specimens. Eighty-five human clinical swab samples were tested using the LabChip real-time PCR. The results demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity, showing 72 positive and 13 negative cases. These results were identical to those from a tube-type real-time PCR system. This indicates that the novel LabChip real-time PCR may be an ultra-fast, quantitative, point-of-care-potential diagnostic tool for influenza A/H1N1 with a high sensitivity and specificity.     

Validation of real-time RT-PCR assays for mRNA quantification in baboons

Real-time RT-PCR has been used widely, both in fundamental research and in clinical diagnostics, for instance for quantification of RNA levels in human tissues and tissue biopsies. In the present study we provide a strategy to validate primers/probes for real-time RT-PCR quantification of baboon samples. The method is based on the TaqMan system and uses primers/probes that have been designed and validated for human real-time RT-PCR. A prerequisite for the accuracy of this strategy is a similar amplification efficiency between human and baboon PCR reactions. We propose two different methods, i.e. by calculating PCR efficiencies from the slope of a dilution curve or by using the linear regression method, to compare the amplification efficiency between human and baboon samples. In conclusion, by performing a simple validation experiment, real-time PCR assays based on human sequences, which are easily available, can be applied for analysis of baboon samples.     

基于荧光通用引物的多重定量RT-PCR基因表达谱分析平台的构建、优化及其应用

文章建立并优化了一种基于荧光通用引物的多重定量RT-PCR技术, 该技术采用了嵌合特异引物引导荧光通用引物的扩增方案, 多个目的基因被一对通用引物等比例扩增, 从而实现多重定量检测。该技术实现了经济可靠的中通量基因表达定量研究, 弥补了基因表达分析平台中cDNA芯片定量准确性低和Real-time quanti-tative PCR通量小的缺点, 完善了整个基因表达的分析过程。文章以小鼠X染色体上影响性发育启动的QTL区段为例, 选择11个目的基因进行了技术构建及优化, 确定了该技术的检测灵敏度为102拷贝, 通用引物与上游嵌合特异引物的比例以1:1为佳, 并且验证了该技术的重复性和准确性。降落式(Touchdown)PCR结合通用引物补加实验表明, 该优化步骤可大大改善低丰度表达基因的扩增。通过对2个品系(C3H/HeJ和C57BL/6J)15日龄小鼠的下丘脑和睾丸组织中的11个基因的表达分析, 在下丘脑中找到了一个差异表达的基因PHF6可用于进一步的基因功能研究。     

PathoGene: a pathogen coding sequence discovery and analysis resource

PathoGene is a web-based resource that streamlines the process of predicting genes in microorganisms and designs PCR primers for amplification to facilitate sequence analysis and experimentation. PathoGene currently supports primer design for every complete microbial, viral, and fungal genome as cataloged in GenBank by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The resulting primers can then be subjected to a stand-alone Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) system called PathoBLAST in which the predicted PCR product and/or primers can be compared against the genome of interest or a similar genome to find related genes or estimate primer quality.     

基于荧光定量PCR扩增反应的SNP测定法

建立一种利用荧光定量PCR扩增反应进行单核苷酸多态性(SNP)快速测定的方法.以人β肾上腺素受体2基因中的Arg16Gly为研究对象,利用荧光染料SYBRGreenⅠ标记定量PCR产物,通过PCR生长曲线和融解曲线分析结果进行SNP分型.为提高SNP测定的特异性,分别在野生型和突变型等位基因的特异性引物3′端倒数第3个碱基位置,引入了一个人为错配碱基,使引物的错误延伸率显著降低,大大提高了SNP分析的准确性.通过DNA测序验证荧光定量PCR对β肾上腺素受体2基因中Arg16Gly分型结果的准确率.实验结果表明,所建立的方法操作简便,结果准确,适合进行大规模样品的SNP检测工作.     

一种随机引物联合多特异性DNA片段检测结核分支杆菌的新方法

目的:针对目前结核性疾病实验室诊断的局限性,探索一种更为敏感和特异的结核分枝杆菌DNA检测新方法。方法:选取10株江苏地区流行的结核分支杆菌(MTB)菌株,选取临床其他常见菌株及分枝杆菌菌株作为对照组,分别提取DNA作为随机引物的模板。参考国内、外文献设计12条随机引物,并分别对MTB及对照菌株进行单个引物随机扩增,2%的琼脂糖凝胶电泳对扩增产物进行分离并切胶纯化,通过TA克隆将纯化片段连接到质粒pEASYTM-T5 Zero并进行测序,通过BLAST-nr比对验证是否为MTB DNA片段。按照所确定的MTB片段序列,在其内部设计、合成一对特异性引物。用此特异性引物扩增对应的随机引物扩增产物,获得MTB特异性条带图谱。并将该方法检测的敏感性和特异性与临床上常用的real-time PCR进行比较。结果:经BLAST-nr比对,随机引物IS986F,S535及IS986R扩增的条带与MTB DNA有高度同源性(均为99%)。随机引物IS986F、S535和IS986R分别联合其特异性引物可以检测稀释105倍、105倍和103倍的MTB DNA,其特异性分别为100%、90%和80%。常规real-time PCR可检测出稀释104倍的MTB DNA。结论:随机引物IS986F联合其特异性引物检测结核分枝杆菌的灵敏度和特异性优于S535、IS986R两组,特异性为100%,且灵敏度优于常规real-time PCR法。     

RTPrimerDB: the real-time PCR primer and probe database

The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology has become increasingly popular for nucleic acids detection and/or quantification. As primer/probe design and experimental evaluation is time-consuming, we developed a public database application for the storage and retrieval of validated real-time PCR primer and probe sequence records. The integrity and accuracy of the data are maintained by linking to and querying other reference databases. RTPrimerDB provides free public access through the Web to perform queries and submit user based information. Primer/probe records can be searched for by official gene symbol, nucleotide sequence, type of application, detection chemistry, LocusLink or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) identifier, and submitter's name. Each record is directly linked to LocusLink, dbSNP and/or PubMed to retrieve additional information on the gene/SNP for which the primers/probes are designed. Currently, the database contains primer/probe records for human, mouse, rat, fruit fly and zebrafish, and all current detection chemistries such as intercalating dyes (SYBR Green I), hydrolysis probes (Taqman), adjacent hybridizations probes and molecular beacons. Real-time PCR primer/probe records are available at http://www.realtimeprimerdatabase.ht.st.     

Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) Polymorphism: A Simple,Novel DNA Marker Technique for Generating Gene-Targeted Markers in Plants

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been used for numerous applications in plant molecular genetics research despite having disadvantages of poor reproducibility and not generally being associated with gene regions. A novel method for generating plant DNA markers was developed based on the short conserved region flanking the ATG start codon in plant genes. This method uses single 18-mer primers in single primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and an annealing temperature of 50°C. PCR amplicons are resolved using standard agarose gel electrophoresis. This method was validated in rice using a genetically diverse set of genotypes and a backcross population. Reproducibility was evaluated by using duplicate samples and conducting PCR on different days. Start codon targeted (SCoT) markers were generally reproducible but exceptions indicated that primer length and annealing temperature are not the sole factors determining reproducibility. SCoT marker PCR amplification profiles indicated dominant marker like RAPD markers. We propose that this method could be used in conjunction with these markers for applications such as genetic analysis, bulked segregant analysis, and quantitative trait loci mapping, especially in laboratories with a preference for agarose gel electrophoresis.     

Development and evaluation of a real-time quantitative PCR assay for Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is a ubiquitous mold and the most common mold contaminating foodstuffs. Many strains of A. flavus produce aflatoxins. In addition it is an allergen and an opportunistic pathogen of animals and plants. A. flavus often is underestimated in traditional culture analyses due to the expertise required and the cost associated with speciating members of the genus Aspergillus. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a primer and probe set for the rapid detection and quantitation of A. flavus in pure culture using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) amplification. Unique DNA regions were located in the genome of the target organism by sequence comparison with the GenBank database, and several candidate oligonucleotides were identified from the scientific literature for potential use with the TaqMan QPCR technology. Three primer and probe sets were designed and validated for specificity and sensitivity in laboratory experiments. Initial screening to test for sensitivity was performed with seven A. flavus isolates and selected nontarget fungi. Specificity testing was conducted with the selected primer and probe set, which amplified all nine A. flavus isolates tested, including an aflatoxin producing strain. The primers did not amplify DNA extracted from 39 other fungal species (comprising 16 genera), including 18 other Aspergillus species and six Penicillium species. No amplification of human or bacterial DNA was observed; however cross-reactivity was observed with Aspergillus oryzae. PCR analysis of DNA dilutions and the use of an internal positive control demonstrated that 67% of the fungal DNA samples assayed contained PCR inhibitors. The assay validated for the target organism is capable of producing PCR results in less than 1 h after DNA extraction. The results of this research demonstrate the capabilities of QPCR for the enhanced detection and enumeration of fungi of significance to human health.     

Global analysis of gene expression by differential display

Differential display (DD) is one of the most commonly used approaches for identifying differentially expressed genes. However, there has been lack of an accurate guidance on how many DD polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer combinations are needed to display most of the genes expressed in a eukaryotic cell. This study critically evaluated the gene coverage by DD as a function of the number of arbitrary primers, the number of 3′ bases of an arbitrary primer required to completely match an mRNA target sequence, the additional 5′ base match(s) of arbitrary primers in first-strand cDNA recognition, and the length of mRNA tails being analyzed. The resulting new DD mathematical model predicts that 80 to 160 arbitrary 13mers, when used in combinations with 3 one-base anchored oligo-dT primers, would allow any given mRNA within a eukaryotic cell to be detected with a 74% to 93% probability, respectively. The prediction was supported by both computer simulation of the DD process and experimental data from a comprehensive fluorescent DD screening for target genes of tumor-suppressor p53. Thus, this work provides a theoretical foundation upon which global analysis of gene expression by DD can be pursued.