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.     

Comparison of relative mRNA quantification models and the impact of RNA integrity in quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Relative quantification in quantitative real-time RT-PCR is increasingly used to quantify gene expression changes. In general, two different relative mRNA quantification models exist: the delta-delta Ct and the efficiency-corrected Ct model. Both models have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of simplification on the one hand and efficiency correction on the other. The particular problem of RNA integrity and its effect on relative quantification in qRT-PCR performance was tested in different bovine tissues and cell lines (n = 11). Therefore different artificial and standardized RNA degradation levels were used. Currently fully automated capillary electrophoresis systems have become the new standard in RNA quality assessment. RNA quality was rated according the RNA integrity number (RIN). Furthermore, the effect of different length of amplified products and RNA integrity on expression analyses was investigated. We found significant impact of RNA integrity on relative expression results, mainly on cycle threshold (Ct) values and a minor effect on PCR efficiency. To minimize the interference of RNA integrity on relative quantification models, we can recommend to normalize gene expression by an internal reference gene and to perform an efficiency correction. Results demonstrate that innovative new quantification methods and normalization models can improve future mRNA quantification.     

SYBR green dye-based probe-free SNP genotyping: Introduction of T-Plex real-time PCR assay

Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping is widely used in genetic association studies to characterize genetic factors underlying inherited traits. Despite many recent advances in high-throughput SNP genotyping, inexpensive and flexible methods with reasonable throughput levels are still needed. Real-time PCR methods for discovering and genotyping SNPs are becoming increasingly important in various fields of biology. In this study, we introduce a new, single-tube strategy that combines the tetra-primer ARMS PCR assay, SYBR Green I-based real-time PCR, and melting-point analysis with primer design strategies to detect the SNP of interest. This assay, T-Plex real-time PCR, is based on the T_m discrimination of the amplified allele-specific amplicons in a single tube. The specificity, sensitivity, and robustness of the assay were evaluated for common mutations in the FV, PII, MTHFR, and FGFR3 genes. We believe that T-Plex real-time PCR would be a useful alternative for either individual genotyping requests or large epidemiological studies.     

应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达

目的应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）对大鼠肝星状细胞（HSCs）的死亡受体5（DR5）mRNA表达的影响,探讨BMSCs诱导HSCs凋亡及其机制。方法采用贴壁筛选法培养、纯化SD大鼠BMSCs,传至第4代使用;大鼠原代HSCs细胞及肝纤维原细胞系冻融后传代使用。应用6孔塑料培养板,建立上下双层细胞共培养体系,常规培养。实验分为3组：（1）实验组：BMSCs与HSCs共培养;（2）空白对照组：HSCs单独培养;（3）阴性对照组：大鼠肝纤维原细胞与HSCs共培养。以上培养体系动态观察24、48、72h,应用流式细胞仪检测HSCs细胞凋亡率,采用SYBRGreenI荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测,以β-actin基因作为内参,计算各组DR5mRNA的相对表达量。结果在共培养组中,BMSCs促进了HSCs凋亡,与其他两组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）,空白对照组与阴性对照组比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。实验组BMSCs能明显上调HSCs中DR5mRNA的表达,与空白对照组和阴性对照组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）;空白对照组与阴性对照组DR5mRNA的表达比较无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。结论利用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达,为进一步研究BMSCs通过死亡受体途径调控HSCs凋亡以及为BMSCs用于治疗肝纤维化的机制研究提供了理论基础。     

应用实时荧光定量PCR方法定量检测双歧杆菌对Caco-2细胞的黏附

【目的】采用实时荧光定量PCR的方法定量分析黏附于Caco-2细胞的双歧杆菌,并建立一种快速有效分离黏附于细胞的细菌的方法。【方法】采用Triton X-100溶液处理黏附于Caco-2细胞上的菌体,确定获得最佳分离效果的处理时间;建立实时荧光定量PCR定量检测双歧杆菌的方法,获得标准曲线,进行特异性、灵敏度、重复性评价;应用建立的方法分析11株双歧杆菌对Caco-2细胞的黏附能力。【结果】Triton X-100处理黏附于Caco-2细胞的双歧杆菌的最佳作用时间为10 min。实时荧光定量PCR定量检测双歧杆菌的方法重复性好、特异性强、灵敏度高;起始模板浓度范围在104?108 CFU/mL之间具有良好的线形关系,相关系数>99%,在该浓度范围线性方程为：y=?3.345 2x+37.637 0。应用建立的方法定量分析双歧杆菌的黏附能力,与直接镜检法相比差异不显著(P>0.05),检测时间由48 h缩短至4 h。【结论】Triton X-100分离处理结合实时荧光定量PCR方法是一种快速、有效的检测双歧杆菌对Caco-2细胞黏附能力的方法。     

应用real-timePCR法快速定量人类粪便中双歧杆菌的研究

目的建立快速、准确从粪便标本中定量双歧杆菌的RT—PCR技术。方法传统培养定量法,普通PCR定量法,real—timePCR比较测量。结果（I）粪便标本前处理采取简单的离心和清洗、稀释步骤能去除粪便标本中的抑制物,实现不提取DNA直接进行PCR、real—time定量粪便中双歧杆菌。（2）本实验建立的PCR方法直接半定量粪便双歧杆菌技术在双歧杆菌值介于10^3～10^7CFU／ml时具有较好的分辨率,粪便标本普通PCR得理论菌数与培养得菌数值之间差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;real-timePCR直接定量双歧杆菌技术在双歧杆菌值介于10^1-10^7CFU／ml时具有较好的分辨率,粪便标本RT—PCR得理论菌数与培养得菌数值之间差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论利用PCR、real—timePCR直接半定量和定量粪便中的双歧杆菌可行。     

粪便中肠球菌SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

目的利用SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法,建立肠球菌实时荧光PCR检测方法,并初步应用于粪便中肠球菌的检测。方法根据GenBank发表的肠球菌23S rRNA基因序列的保守区域设计合成特异性的引物;利用构建的质粒标准品绘制两种标准曲线,构建基因拷贝数、细菌数为分析指标的定量分析模型并初步应用于粪便标本的检测分析。结果所建立的SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法检测灵敏度可达7个拷贝数/reaction。粪便样本根据实时荧光定量PCR方法所得的理论数值与培养菌值之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。非炎性腹泻标本中菌数与健康成人标本中菌数差异无显著性(P>0.05)。灵敏度曲线所得的数值大于菌数标准曲线,可能由于DNA提取过程中存在部分的损失。检测粪便标本结果显示SYBR GreenI荧光定量PCR方法较平板计数法敏感、快捷、简便。结论本研究建立了一种灵敏、特异、简便易行的肠球菌定量检测方法。     

Validation of an algorithm for automatic quantification of nucleic acid copy numbers by real-time polymerase chain reaction

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with on-line fluorescence detection has become an important technique not only for determination of the absolute or relative copy number of nucleic acids but also for mutation detection, which is usually done by measuring melting curves. Optimum assay conditions have been established for a variety of targets and experimental setups, but only limited attention has been directed to data evaluation and validation of the results. In this work, algorithms for the processing of real-time PCR data are evaluated for several target sequences (p53, IGF-1, PAI-1, Factor VIIc) and compared to the results obtained by standard procedures. The algorithms are implemented in software called SoFAR, which allows fully automatic analysis of real-time PCR data obtained with a Roche LightCycler instrument. The software yields results with considerably increased precision and accuracy of quantifications. This is achieved mainly by the correction of amplification-independent signal trends and a robust fit of the exponential phase of the signal curves. The melting curve data are corrected for signal changes not due to the melting process and are smoothed by fitting cubic splines. Therefore, sensitivity, resolution, and accuracy of melting curve analyses are improved.     

应用SYBR实时荧光定量Real—TimePCR法检测人宫颈癌MCPH1 mRNA表达

目的 应用SYBR实时荧光定量RT-PCR法检测MCPH1/BRIT1 mRNA的表达.方法 提取人宫颈癌总RNA,经逆转录PCR获得靶基因（MCPH1）及管家基因（GAPDH）的CDNA,采用SYBR Green 荧光实时定量法检测,以GAPDH基因作为内参,计算各组MCPH1 mRNA的相对表达量.结果 在31例宫颈癌标本中,MCPH1基因mRNA的表达,19例癌比正常低,1 例癌比正常高,其余标本无统计学意义;6例癌比癌旁低,1例癌比癌旁高,其余无统计学意义.结论 利用SYBR实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测出人宫颈癌中MCPH1基因mRNA的表达下调,为进一步研究MCPH1在宫颈癌中的作用及功能奠定了基础.     

Detection and quantification of Aspergillus ochraceus in green coffee by PCR

AIMS: The aim of this study was to detect and quantify DNA of the ochratoxinogenic fungus Aspergillus ochraceus in green coffee and to compare the results with the ochratoxin A content of naturally contaminated samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: A DNA extraction protocol based on a combination of ultrasonification and a commercial kit was tested for the recovery of fungal DNA. PCR and real-time PCR protocols were established for the detection of A. ochraceus. Sensitivity of the PCR was checked by the addition of inoculated green coffee and pure fungal DNA to uncontaminated green coffee samples. The A. ochraceus DNA content of 30 naturally contaminated green coffee samples was determined and compared with the ochratoxin A concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus ochraceus can be rapidly and specifically detected in green coffee by PCR. A positive correlation between the ochratoxin A content and the DNA quantity was established. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work offers a quick alternative to the conventional mycological detection and quantification of A. ochraceus in green coffee.     

小麦根腐病菌索氏平脐蠕孢SYBR Green I实时荧光定量PCR检测技术研究

由索氏平脐蠕孢Bipolaris sorokiniana引起的小麦根腐病,常和其他土传真菌病害混合发生,传统的症状鉴别方法很难区分,导致病害防控难度增加。为建立病菌实时荧光定量检测体系,根据ITS序列设计引物,筛选出1对特异性引物BS‐F/R,扩增片段大小为280bp。以菌丝DNA为标准品构建实时荧光定量标准曲线,并对其灵敏度、特异性、可重复性进行评价。结果表明,建立的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法速度快,灵敏度高,特异性强,重复性好。构建的荧光定量PCR标准曲线循环阈值与模板浓度呈良好的线性关系,溶解曲线的吸收峰单一,扩增效率良好。利用该定量检测体系,可以检测出田间小麦样品中52.8fg/μL的病菌DNA。     

竞争性RT-PCR测定法及BMP-2mRNA的定量检测

建立竞争性 PCR方法 ,以期用于转录水平基因表达的定量研究 .以检测大鼠颅骨骨细胞总RNA中骨形态发生蛋白 - 2 ( BMP- 2 ,bone morphogenetic protein- 2 ) m RNA含量为例 ,构建大鼠BMP- 2基因的竞争模板 ,以之为内对照进行竞争性 PCR.PCR反应结束后 ,电泳、拍照 ,扫描所扩增条带密度 ,作回归方程 .根据回归方程 ,计算出正常 7d Wistar大鼠颅骨总 RNA中 BMP- 2 m RNA含量为 1 .1 2 5amol/μg RNA.结果显示 ,成功构建了大鼠 BMP- 2基因的竞争模板 ,建立了可以测定大鼠颅骨骨细胞总 RNA中 BMP- 2 m RNA含量的竞争性 PCR方法 .     

Improved real-time PCR method for quantification of the abundance of all known ribotypes of the ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides by comparing 4 different preparation methods

Red tides by the ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides have caused large scaled mortality of fish and great loss in aquaculture industry in many countries. Detecting and quantifying the abundance of this species are the most critical step in minimizing the loss. The conventional quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method has been used for quantifying the abundance of this species. However, when analyzing > 500 samples collected during huge C. polykrikoides red tides in South Sea of Korea in 2014, this conventional method and the previously developed specific primer and probe set for C. polykrikoides did not give reasonable abundances when compared with cell counting data. Thus improved qPCR methods and a new specific primer and probe set reflecting recent discovery of 2 new ribotypes have to be developed. A new species-specific primer and probe set for detecting all 3 ribotypes of C. polykrikoides was developed and provided in this study. Furthermore, because the standard curve between cell abundance and threshold cycle value (Ct) is critical, the efficiencies of 4 different preparation methods used to determine standard curves were comparatively evaluated. The standard curves were determined by using the following 4 different preparations: (1) extraction of DNA from a dense culture of C. polykrikoides followed by serial dilution of the extracted DNA (CDD method), (2) extraction of DNA from each of the serially diluted cultures with different concentrations of C. polykrikoides cultures (CCD method), (3) extraction of DNA from a dense field sample of C. polykrikoides collected from natural seawater and then dilution of the extracted DNA in serial (FDD method), and (4) extraction of DNA from each of the serially diluted field samples having different concentrations of C. polykrikoides (FCD method). These 4 methods yielded different results. The abundances of C. polykrikoides in the samples collected from the coastal waters of South Sea, Korea, in 2014–2015, obtained using the standard curves determined by the CCD and the FCD methods, were the most similar (0.93–1.03 times) and the second closest (1.16–1.33 times) to the actual cell abundances obtained by enumeration of cells. Thus, our results suggest that the CCD method is a more effective tool to quantify the abundance of C. polykrikoides than the conventional method, CDD, and the FDD and FCD methods.     

Differences in amplification efficiency of standard curves in quantitative real-time PCR assays and consequences for gene quantification in environmental samples

High and comparable efficiency values are the key for reliable quantification of target genes from environmental samples using real-time PCR. Therefore it was the aim of this study to investigate if PCR amplification efficiencies of plasmid DNA used for the calculation of standard curves (i) remain constant along a logarithmic scale of dilutions and (ii) if these values are comparable to those of DNA extracted from environmental samples. It could be shown that comparable efficiency values within the standards cannot be achieved using log scale serial dilutions and a comparison of gene copy numbers from DNA extracted from environmental samples and standard DNA extracted from plasmids is only possible in a very small interval.     

Rapid identification of Bactrocera latifrons (Dipt., Tephritidae) by real-time PCR using SYBR Green chemistry

Abstract:  The solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), is a major agricultural pest in Asia and Hawaii, and it is important to prevent its widespread invasion in plant quarantine. In this study we introduced a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) essay, using SYBR Green I dye, to rapidly identify B. latifrons on an ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system. A latifron-specific PCR primer set was obtained based on mtDNA COI gene of B. latifrons . Nine Bactrocera fruit flies, B. latifrons , Bactrocera dorsalis , Bactrocera papayae , Bactrocera carambolae , Bactrocera philippinensis , Bactrocera occipitalis , Bactrocera correcta , Bactrocera cucurbitae and Bactrocera tau , were used to determine the specificity of primers lati1 and lati2. A series of genomic DNA dilutions of B. latifrons (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 20, 40 and 100 ng) were used to assess the sensitivity of the SYBR Green PCR. Template DNA concentration was one of the sources of variability in cycle threshold values (CT) and the optimum DNA concentration was between 1 and 20 ng. Genomic DNA isolated from larvae, pupae and adult specimens of B. latifrons were used to assess the specificity of the SYBR Green PCR. Melting curve analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to check the specificity of PCR products. Similar amplification plots were obtained using DNA from the three different stages of B. latifrons with primer set lati1/lati2. The melting temperature ( T _m) of PCR products was 77.5 ± 0.1°C, and the length of the amplified fragment 366 bp. Given the specificity and sensitivity of the assay, combined with high speed, low cost and the possibility of automating, SYBR Green PCR can be used as a rapid and specific technique for pest species identification in plant quarantine.