Development of a peptide nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction clamping assay for semiquantitative evaluation of genetically modified organism content in food

In the present study a peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clamping method was developed and applied to the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMO), to test PCR products for band identity and to obtain a semiquantitative evaluation of GMO content. The minimal concentration of PNA necessary to block the PCR was determined by comparing PCRs containing a constant amount of DNA in the presence of increasing concentration of target-specific PNA. The lowest PNA concentration at which specific inhibition took place, by the inhibition of primer extension and/or steric hindrance, was the most efficient condition. Optimization of PCR clamping by PNA was observed by testing five different PNAs with a minimum of 13 bp to a maximum of 15 bp, designed on the target sequence of Roundup Ready soybean. The results obtained on the DNA extracted from Roundup Ready soybean standard flour were verified also on DNA extracted from standard flours of maize GA21, Bt176, Bt11, and MON810. A correlation between the PNA concentration necessary for inducing PCR clamping and the percentage of the GMO target sequence in the sample was found.     

Development of melting temperature-based SYBR Green I polymerase chain reaction methods for multiplex genetically modified organism detection

Commercialization of several genetically modified crops has been approved worldwide to date. Uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods to identify these different insertion events have been developed, but their use in the analysis of all commercially available genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is becoming progressively insufficient. These methods require a large number of assays to detect all possible GMOs present in the sample and thereby the development of multiplex PCR systems using combined probes and primers targeted to sequences specific to various GMOs is needed for detection of this increasing number of GMOs. Here we report on the development of a multiplex real-time PCR suitable for multiple GMO identification, based on the intercalating dye SYBR Green I and the analysis of the melting curves of the amplified products. Using this method, different amplification products specific for Maximizer 176, Bt11, MON810, and GA21 maize and for GTS 40-3-2 soybean were obtained and identified by their specific Tm. We have combined amplification of these products in a number of multiplex reactions and show the suitability of the methods for identification of GMOs with a sensitivity of 0.1% in duplex reactions. The described methods offer an economic and simple alternative to real-time PCR systems based on sequence-specific probes (i.e., TaqMan chemistry). These methods can be used as selection tests and further optimized for uniplex GMO quantification.     

PCR detection of genetically modified soya and maize in foodstuffs

The detection of genetically modified foodstuffs is becoming both a food sales and legal necessity. This study reports a rapid DNA extraction/PCR-based method for the detection of genetically modified soya (GMS) and maize (GMM) in mixed samples of transgenic and unmodified soybeans and maize kernels, and a variety of processed samples including soya flour, soya protein isolates, extruded defatted soya, acid- and alcohol-precipitated soya concentrates, soya lecithin, maize grits, seasoned corn puffs and salted corn chips. The presence of GMS DNA was determined with two pairs of primers directed towards different GMS target sequences and GMM by one primer pair. In addition, a multiplex PCR reaction which utilises an internal positive control was developed for both genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Results indicated that the methods are sensitive and specific enough to detect GMS down to a level of 0.01% dry weight in single-product PCRs and 0.1% in multiplex PCRs and GMM down to 0.001% dry weight in single-product PCRs and 0.01% in multiplex PCR. The methods are considered to represent a viable route for the commercial detection of GMS and GMM in foodstuffs.     

转基因玉米Bt176液相芯片检测方法的建立

为建立转基因玉米Bt176的液相芯片检测方法,根据已公布的转基因玉米Bt176外源插入基因CaMV35S启动子序列,外源基因3’端与玉米基因组DNA连接区序列,同时以玉米特异Zein内源基因序列为参照,利用Primer Premier5.0等软件设计特异性引物和探针。将探针与荧光编码微球偶联后,与PCR产物杂交反应,用液相芯片检测仪(Bio-plex 200)检测荧光信号。检测结果显示,该方法具有高特异性及灵敏度,各条探针之间无交叉反应,最低检测限可达0.01%。初步建立了检测转基因玉米Bt176的液相芯片技术,为其他转基因作物的快速高通量检测提供了借鉴和经验。     

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.     

Identification of genetically modified vegetable sources in food and feed using hydrogel oligonucleotide microchip

A method of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by the hybridization on a hydrogel oligonucleotide biochip was developed for simultaneous identification of ten different transgenic elements of plant DNA in feed and food products. The biochip contained 22 immobilized probes intended for (i) detection of plant DNA; (ii) plant species determination (soybean, maize, potato, rice); (iii) identification of transgenic elements, including 35S CaMV, 35S FMV, rice actine gene promoters, nos, 35S CaMV, ocs, pea rbcS1 gene terminators, and bar, gus, nptII marker genes. The limit of detection was 0.5% of genetically modified (GM) soybean and maize in analyzed samples. Identification of transgenic DNA in food and feed products using either the developed approach or real-time PCR led to virtually identical results. The assay can be used for selection of GM samples by screening food and feed products for subsequent quantitative determination of the GM component based on the identified transgene.     

Development of a multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR for detection of genetically modified organisms

The commercially available genetically modified plants authorized worldwide and therefore the target sequences for molecular detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are ever-increasing. The European Union has implemented a set of very strict procedures for approval to grow, import and/or utilize GMOs as food or food ingredients. As a result, GMO laboratories and food production industry currently are forced to apply different methods to test raw material and complex processed food products. Three exogenous genes (the 35 s promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus (35 s), nos terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (nos), and the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene) are commonly used in GMO detection. In this paper, a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) system was developed which allows simultaneously detection of the three exogenous genes in one reaction tube. The determined limits for the multiplex qPCR assays were 4 copies/reaction in maize samples. The specificity of the assays was demonstrated to be 100% according to the detection results of 23 genetically modified (GM) crops and 97 complex processed food products. The validation data show the individual PCR efficiency was accredited with negligible impacts between three detection channels in 7500 fluorescence quantitative PCR machine. These results indicate that this high-throughput multiplex qPCR method which combined with a reference gene is feasible for screening of GMOs, even for the processed food.     

Detection limits of the strip test and PCR for genetically modified corn in Brazil

Brazilian legislation establishes a labeling limit for products that contain more than 1% material from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We assessed the sensitivity of the lateral flow strip test in detection of the GMO corn varieties Bt11 and MON810 and the specificity and sensitivity of PCR techniques for their detection. For the strip test, the GMO seeds were mixed with conventional seeds at levels of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% for Bt11, and 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6% for MON810. Three different methodologies were assessed and whole seeds, their endosperm and embryonic axis were used. For the PCR technique, the GMO seeds of each of the two varieties were mixed with conventional seeds at levels of 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, and 0.5%. The seeds were ground and the DNA extracted. For detection of the GMO material, specific primers were used for MON810 and Bt11 and maize zein as an endogenous control. The sensitivity of the strip test varied for both maize varieties and methodologies. The test was positive for Bt11 only at 0.8%, in contrast with the detection limit of 0.4% indicated by the manufacturer. In the multiplex PCR, the primers proved to be specific for the different varieties. These varieties were detected in samples with one GMO seed in 100. Thus, this technique proved to be efficient in detecting contaminations equal to or greater than 1%.     

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction/membrane hybridization assay for detection of genetically modified organisms

To improve detection efficiency and result accuracy, four screening primer pairs, four identifying primer pairs, one common primer pair and corresponding probes were designed for the development of multiplex polymerase chain reaction/membrane hybridization assay (MPCR-MHA) for detection of the foreign genes insert in genetically modified organisms (GMOs). After detecting condition and parameter were optimized and determined, MPCR reactions were developed for amplifying several target genes simultaneously in one tube. Primers were labeled with biotin at the 5'-end; biotinylated MPCR products were detected by hybridization to the oligonucleotide probes immobilized on a membrane with subsequent colorimetric detection to confirm hybridization. The testing of screening primers can judge whether the sample contains GMOs, and that of identifying primers can further judge what kinds of trait genes are contained in the sample. We detected nine soybean samples, six maize samples, seven potato samples and two rice samples by the MPCR-MHA method; at the same time we also detected them with single PCR-MHA method. The results between two methods have good consistency.     

Screening genetically modified organisms using multiplex-PCR coupled with oligonucleotide microarray

In this research, we developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex-PCR) coupled with a DNA microarray system simultaneously aiming at many targets in a consecutive reaction to detect a genetically modified organism (GMO). There are a total of 20 probes for detecting a GMO in a DNA microarray which can be classified into three categories according to their purpose: the first for screening GMO from un-transgenic plants based on the common elements such as promoter, reporter and terminator genes; the second for specific gene confirmation based on the target gene sequences such as herbicide-resistance or insect-resistance genes; the third for species-specific genes which the sequences are unique for different plant species. To ensure the reliability of this method, different kinds of positive and negative controls were used in DNA microarray. Commercial GM soybean, maize, rapeseed and cotton were identified by means of this method and further confirmed by PCR analysis and sequencing. The results indicate that this method discriminates between the GMOs very quickly and in a cost-saving and more time efficient way. It can detect more than 95% of currently commercial GMO plants and the limits of detection are 0.5% for soybean and 1% for maize. This method is proved to be a new method for routine analysis of GMOs.     

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。     

商业化种植的六种基因改良玉米品系的鉴定检测方法

以PCR方法鉴定检测六种商业化种植的基因改良玉米 (geneticallymodifiedmaize,简称GM 玉米 )。针对Mon810 (Monsanto公司 )、Bt11(Novartis公司 )、Event176 (Novartis公司 )、CBH 35 1(AgrEvo公司 )、T14/T2 5Liberty (AgrEvo公司 )及GA2 1(Monsanto公司 )GM 玉米转入的外源基因质粒图谱 ,设计具有品系特异性的引物进行PCR检测 ,建立了GM 玉米品系鉴定检测的方法。     

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.     

Chemically modified primers for improved multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the amplification of multiple targets in a single reaction, presents a new set of challenges that further complicate more traditional PCR setups. These complications include a greater probability for nonspecific amplicon formation and for imbalanced amplification of different targets, each of which can compromise quantification and detection of multiple targets. Despite these difficulties, multiplex PCR is frequently used in applications such as pathogen detection, RNA quantification, mutation analysis, and (recently) next generation DNA sequencing. Here we investigated the utility of primers with one or two thermolabile 4-oxo-1-pentyl phosphotriester modifications in improving multiplex PCR performance. Initial endpoint and real-time analyses revealed a decrease in off-target amplification and a subsequent increase in amplicon yield. Furthermore, the use of modified primers in multiplex setups revealed a greater limit of detection and more uniform amplification of each target as compared with unmodified primers. Overall, the thermolabile modified primers present a novel and exciting avenue for improving multiplex PCR performance.     

加工产品中转基因玉米Bt11成分实时荧光PCR定量(性)检测

实验在玉米自身基因和外源基因的边界序列之间设计了具有品种和品系特异性的引物和探针 ,并以实时荧光PCR技术 ,建立了加工产品中转基因玉米Bt1 1成分品系鉴定检测和定量检测的方法。实验对加热条件和时间对检测转基因成分的影响作了探讨 ,并检测了部分市售食品和饲料。检测结果发现 ,加热时间温度越高、时间越长 ,对转基因成分定量检测的影响越大 ;在所检测的样品中可以检测出转基因玉米Bt1 1成分 ,有些样品还同时检出其他转基因成分。本研究实验建立的方法 ,可以用于加工产品中转基因成分的定量检测 ,也可以用于定性检测 ,或作为常规PCR定性检测后的确证实验方法。     

双重数字PCR在转基因大豆检测中的应用

利用微滴式数字PCR(droplet digital PCR, ddPCR)平台建立针对MON87705、MON87769、DP356043三种转基因大豆中外源基因的双重PCR检测方法。利用双重数字PCR方法检测特异性、定量范围等参数,优化所用引物探针组合及实验体系程序,检测外源基因与内标准基因的拷贝数。结果表明,所用引物探针组合在数字PCR方法中仅对目标大豆品系有荧光信号,具有特异性,可用于转基因大豆品系的筛选与鉴别。检测了大豆的转基因成分含量,结果与材料标准品参数基本一致,并根据结果设定定量检测限为0.5%,定性检测限为0.05%,可满足低纯度样品检测的需求。双重数字PCR体系能够准确且稳定的满足实际检测需要,在实际应用上具有良好的发展前景。     

转基因大豆、玉米、油菜和水稻品系特异性检测质粒标准分子的快速构建及应用

本文采用重叠延伸PCR技术快速构建了转基因大豆GTS40-3-2、玉米NK603、油菜RT73和水稻TT51-1的4种品系作物的质粒标准分子.经快速PCR鉴定及测序分析验证后,将构建的阳性质粒标准分子应用于实时荧光定量PCR标准曲线的构建,并建立其相应的荧光定量PCR检测体系,同时对该体系的扩增效率、精确度、灵敏度等指标进行了评估. 结果显示,建立的实时荧光定量PCR检测体系中,目标序列的扩增效率均在97.434%~101.479%正常范围内（R2≥0.995）,定量极限为20 copies,表明我们已成功构建了这4种转基因作物的品系质粒标准分子,并能有效应用于实时荧光定量PCR标准曲线的构建.     

转Cry1Ab基因水稻分子特征及其特异性PCR检测方法

转Cry1Ab基因水稻Bt01为一种新型的转基因水稻, 文章首先利用Southern blotting验证了外源基因Cry1Ab转入了Bt01中, 且为单拷贝, 再利用TAIL-PCR方法获得了其插入位点信息, 根据获得的Bt01的5′端插入位点序列, 设计了相应的定性与定量PCR检测体系的引物及探针, 实验结果显示, 定性PCR检测体系的最低检测极限(LOD)为10个拷贝, 定量PCR检测体系的LOD为5拷贝, 最低定量极限(LOQ)为10拷贝。同时为了验证建立的定量PCR体系的准确性, 利用该体系检测已知转基因水稻Bt01含量分别为3%和0.5%的样品, 定量结果分别为2.7%和0.47%。研究结果表明, 该转化体特异性定性与定量检测方法具有高度的特异性和良好的灵敏性, 为转基因水稻Bt01的身份识别和检测提供了有效的方法。     

A practicable detection system for genetically modified rice by SERS-barcoded nanosensors

Since the global cultivation of genetically modified crops constantly expands, it remains a high demand to establish different ways to sort food and feed that consist or contain genetically modified organisms. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a flexible tool for biological analysis due to its excellent properties for detecting wide varieties of target biomolecules including nucleic acids. In the present study, a SERS-barcoded nanosensor was developed to detect Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene-transformed rice expressing insecticidal proteins. The barcoded sensor was designed by encapsulation of gold nanoparticles with silica and conjugation of oligonucleotide strands for targeting DNA strands. The transition between the cry1A(b) and cry1A(c) fusion gene sequence was used to construct a specific SERS-based detection method with a detection limit of 0.1 pg/mL. In order to build the determination models to screen transgene, a series mixture of Bt rice and normal rice were prepared for SERS assay, and the limit of detection was 0.1% (w/w) transgenic Bt rice relative to normal rice. The sensitivity and accuracy of the SERS-based assay was comparable with real-time PCR. The SERS-barcoded analytical method would provide precise detection of transgenic rice varieties but also informative supplement to avoid false positive outcomes.     

Pollen-mediated gene flow in maize in real situations of coexistence

We present the first study on cross-fertilization between Bt and conventional maize in real situations of coexistence in two regions in which Bt and conventional maize were cultivated. A map was designed and the different crops were identified, as were the sowing and flowering dates, in Bt and conventional maize fields. These data were used to choose the non-transgenic fields for sampling and analysis by the real-time quantification system-polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR) technique. In general, the rate of cross-fertilization was higher in the borders and, in most of the fields, decreased towards the centre of the field. Nine fields had values of genetically modified organism DNA to total DNA of much lower than 0.9%, whereas in three the rate was higher. Some differences were found when comparing our results with those of common field trials. In real conditions of coexistence and in cropping areas with smaller fields, the main factors that determined cross-pollination were the synchronicity of flowering and the distances between the donor and receptor fields. By establishing an index based on these two variables, the rate of the adventitious presence of genetically modified maize could be predicted, as well as the influence of other factors. By applying this index, and in the case of a fully synchronous flowering time, a security distance between transgenic and conventional fields of about 20 m should be sufficient to maintain the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms as a result of pollen flow below the 0.9% threshold in the total yield of the field.