蛋白质检测新技术——邻位连接技术及初步应用

邻位连接技术（proximity ligation assay,PLA）,是新研发的一项高灵敏度的蛋白质体外分析技术。该方法利用一对邻位探针（proximity probes）对靶分子进行双识别,通过连接反应产生可扩增的检测信号,以实时 PCR进行放大和检测,将对蛋白质的检测转变成为对DNA的检测,实现痕量蛋白的分析,具有极高的检测灵敏度和特异性。综述了邻位连接技术的原理、研究进展以及该技术在蛋白质分析及疾病诊断领域的初步应用。     

Reverse ChIP:研究DNA-蛋白质相互作用的新方法

反向染色质免疫共沉淀技术(reverse chromatin immunoprecipitation assay,Reverse ChIP)是一种在体内状态下分析DNA-蛋白质相互作用的新方法.它用特异的核酸探针捕获靶DNA片段及与其相结合的蛋白质,蛋白质用质谱仪检测,以达到确定靶DNA位点全部相关蛋白质的目的.其可对靶DNA位点相关蛋白质进行全面、系统地鉴定,特别是寻找已知DNA元件相应的调节蛋白.在发现、鉴定靶DNA位点相关蛋白质和研究DNA-蛋白质相互作用中有重要应用价值.     

柑桔溃疡病菌滚环扩增检测体系的建立

根据柑桔溃疡病菌(Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.citri,Xac)独有的蛋白基因序列和锁式探针公共连接序列分别设计特异性的锁式探针及其扩增引物,优化系列反应条件,建立了特异性的柑桔溃疡病菌滚环扩增体系.初步检测结果表明该体系能够特异性地检出Xac的菌体细胞及其DNA,而检测不出供试的其它植物病原细菌和柑桔叶面常见的多种附生细菌;对Xac靶片段克隆质粒DNA的检测灵敏度为10 2 copy/μL,对Xac菌悬液的检测灵敏度为20 cfu/μL,比常规PCR的检测灵敏度稍高.用滚环扩增技术和常规PCR技术对田间采集的实际样品进行了检测,两种方法的检测结果没有显著差异(P＞0.01).由于锁式探针的公共连接序列对扩增的条件要求一致,本体系的建立可以为植物病原微生物多靶标检测和病害检疫检验提供新的技术支撑.     

RecA蛋白介导的三链核酸结构形成及其序列提取

人工合成的单链DNA分子经PCR扩增形成双链DNA分子。将RecA蛋白与生物素标记的寡聚核酸探针序列在ATPγS存在的情况下共同哺育,使RecA蛋白包裹寡聚核酸探针,然后加入含同源序列的上述双链DNA分子经适当环境哺育形成了稳定的局部三链核酸结构。通过加入链亲和素包裹的磁珠吸附生物素化的探针,这样同源双链DNA分子与寡聚核酸探针形成的局部三链核酸结构也被吸附在磁珠上。使用磁分离装置提取这一结构,逐步降低盐离子浓度以洗脱双链DNA分子。将洗脱液中残留的蛋白质去除,经PCR扩增可获得目的DNA序列。同时使用同源探针和非同源探针在其它序列中提取目的DNA序列,结果显示目的DNA序列只被同源探针提取。实验结果显示了这一三链核酸结构形成的序列特异性,并且其稳定性随盐离子浓度降低而下降。提示在这一结构中同源的寡聚核酸单链与双链DNA分子形成了氢键结合,同时提示使用文中描述的方法可以提取特异的序列,用以克隆相应的基因。     

核酸条形码技术：扩展蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用检测通量的新方法

蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用(protein-protein interaction, PPI)几乎参与了机体内所有重要的生物学过程,在细胞的基本生命过程中扮演了至关重要的角色,开发高通量的PPI检测新方法具有重要的生物学意义。目前,下一代测序技术(next-generation sequencing, NGS)发展快速,能在几天内测定超过10亿个模板的DNA序列。由于并行DNA测序技术所特有的敏感性、特异性、高通量和多路复用优势,其已被用作广谱分子计数器,应用于基因组测序和转录物组测序等领域。核酸条形码技术通过将寡核苷酸标签与目标蛋白质连接起来,从而标记编码蛋白质。之后,利用高通量的测序方法检测相互作用的蛋白质,实现了PPI的高通量检测。这一技术推动了PPI检测方法的飞速发展,提升了单次实验检测的通量,为构建PPI网络提供了强有力的技术支持。本文详细阐述了核酸条形码在PPI检测方法中的设计、生成和读取;通过分析核酸条形码技术在PPI研究中的应用范例,探讨了各自的优势和不足,并评估了数据的可靠性,讨论了基于核酸条形码技术的PPI检测方法未来的发展趋势。     

核酸分析技术与植物的分子分类

植物分子分类学应用收集的分子生物学资料进行植物系统研究,主要通过研究植物蛋白或核酸(RNA或DNA)的组分和系列,系统分析植物间的亲缘关系并分类排定它们在植物系统中的位置。在分类学中应用最早的是蛋白质电泳技术,由于蛋白质易变性,组成蛋白的氨基酸种类多,蛋白的分离纯化和序列分析比较繁琐,蛋白操作技术的应用局限性较大。由于核酸操作技术的发展,近几年来不少研究者利用植物的细胞核、叶绿体或线粒体基因组的某些特征,对不少植物进行了系统分类。本文旨在介绍核酸分析技术     

滚环扩增信号放大技术在生物检测中应用的研究进展

滚环扩增(Rolling circle amplification,RCA)是一种快速、灵敏且恒温的单链DNA(Single-stranded DNA,ssDNA)扩增技术,与染色或探针联用可实现检测信号的放大,在生物检测等方面得到广泛的应用。文中对RCA的构建方法进行了简介,综述了近几年其在致病菌、核酸肿瘤标记物、蛋白质、生物小分子和病毒等检测中的研究进展,并对其未来的发展趋势进行了展望。     

多重连接依赖性探针扩增技术及其应用进展

多重连接依赖性探针扩增(MLPA)是一种高通量、针对待测核酸中靶序列进行定性和相对定量分析的新技术。该技术具有分辨率高、操作简便、设备要求低等诸多优势而广泛用于检测人类基因组内拷贝数变异(CNV)。近年来,MLPA在技术与应用上又有许多新的发展,如运用化学合成法制备3'、5'探针,MLPA在基因甲基化检测、基因表达水平分析、基因部分片段重复区域拷贝数分析及转基因基因分型中的应用,并且MLPA与基因芯片微阵列技术的结合,使得多重连接探针扩增真正具备了高通量检测能力。本文就MLPA技术及其应用进展作一综述。     

蛋白质相互作用研究的新技术与新方法

目前,蛋白质相互作用已成为蛋白质组学研究的热点. 新方法的建立及对已有技术的改进标志着蛋白质相互作用研究的不断发展和完善．在技术改进方面,本文介绍了弥补酵母双杂交的蛋白定位受限等缺陷的细菌双杂交系统;根据目标蛋白特性设计和修饰TAP标签来满足复合体研究要求的串联亲和纯化技术,以及在双分子荧光互补基础上发展的动态检测多个蛋白质间瞬时、弱相互作用的多分子荧光互补技术．还综述了近两年建立的新方法：与免疫共沉淀相比,寡沉淀技术直接研究具有活性的蛋白质复合体;减量式定量免疫沉淀方法排除了蛋白质复合体中非特异性相互作用的干扰;原位操作的多表位－配基绘图法避免了样品间差异的影响,以及利用多点吸附和交联加固研究弱蛋白质相互作用的固相蛋白质组学方法.     

一种新的基于适体和酶切保护分析的超灵敏蛋白质检测方法

以凝血酶适体(aptamer)为例,利用适体和核酸外切酶特性,通过定量PCR扩增建立一种高灵敏的蛋白质检测方法.首先合成3段寡核苷酸序列即凝血酶适体探针,上游连接子和下游连接子.将适体探针与凝血酶温育结合后,再加入核酸外切酶I降解未能结合的探针.接着将保护下来的探针与连接子杂交、连接和对连接产物进行定量PCR .分别建立连接产物标准品浓度与Ct 值的标准曲线和凝血酶浓度与连接产物浓度的标准曲线,通过定量PCR对凝血酶进行定量.结果显示,基于适体的外切酶保护凝血酶检测方法灵敏度较高,连接产物标准品浓度的对数值和Ct 值之间的方程为y =- 2 95x + 33 6 5 (R2 =0. 990 ,P <0 .0 1) ;凝血酶浓度和连接产物浓度对数值之间的方程为y =0 94x - 0 . 2 9(R2 =0 . 998,P <0 . 0 1) ,还对可能影响检测的有关参数举行了探讨.     

Self-assembly of proximity probes for flexible and modular proximity ligation assays

Proximity ligation assay (PLA) is a recently developed strategy for protein analysis in which antibody-based detection of a target protein via a DNA ligation reaction of oligonucleotides linked to the antibodies results in the formation of an amplifiable DNA strand suitable for analysis. Here we describe a faster and more cost-effective strategy to construct the antibody-based proximity ligation probes used in PLA that is based on the noncovalent interaction of biotinylated oligonucleotides with streptavidin followed by the interaction of this complex with biotinylated antibodies.     

Protein detection using proximity-dependent DNA ligation assays

The advent of in vitro DNA amplification has enabled rapid acquisition of genomic information. We present here an analogous technique for protein detection, in which the coordinated and proximal binding of a target protein by two DNA aptamers promotes ligation of oligonucleotides linked to each aptamer affinity probe. The ligation of two such proximity probes gives rise to an amplifiable DNA sequence that reflects the identity and amount of the target protein. This proximity ligation assay detects zeptomole (40 x 10(-21) mol) amounts of the cytokine platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) without washes or separations, and the mechanism can be generalized to other forms of protein analysis.     

Molecular tools for a molecular medicine: analyzing genes, transcripts and proteins using padlock and proximity probes

Procedures and reagents are needed to specifically detect all the macromolecules that are being identified in the course of genome projects. We discuss how this challenge may be met using a set of ligation-based reagents termed padlock probes and proximity ligation probes. These probes include elements with affinity for specific nucleic acid and protein molecules, respectively, along with unique identifier DNA sequence elements that encode the identity of the recognized target molecules. The information content of DNA strands that form in the detection reactions are recorded after amplification, allowing the recognized target molecules to be identified. The procedures permit highly specific solution-phase or localized analyses of large sets of target molecules as required in future molecular analyses.     

Protein biomarker validation via proximity ligation assays

The ability to detect minute amounts of specific proteins or protein modifications in blood as biomarkers for a plethora of human pathological conditions holds great promise for future medicine. Despite a large number of plausible candidate protein biomarkers published annually, the translation to clinical use is impeded by factors such as the required size of the initial studies, and limitations of the technologies used. The proximity ligation assay (PLA) is a versatile molecular tool that has the potential to address some obstacles, both in validation of biomarkers previously discovered using other techniques, and for future routine clinical diagnostic needs. The enhanced specificity of PLA extends the opportunities for large-scale, high-performance analyses of proteins. Besides advantages in the form of minimal sample consumption and an extended dynamic range, the PLA technique allows flexible assay reconfiguration. The technology can be adapted for detecting protein complexes, proximity between proteins in extracellular vesicles or in circulating tumor cells, and to address multiple post-translational modifications in the same protein molecule. We discuss herein requirements for biomarker validation, and how PLA may play an increasing role in this regard. We describe some recent developments of the technology, including proximity extension assays, the use of recombinant affinity reagents suitable for use in proximity assays, and the potential for single cell proteomics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biomarkers: A Proteomic Challenge.     

Design and Validation of DNA Libraries for Multiplexing Proximity Ligation Assays

Here, we present an in silico, analytical procedure for designing and testing orthogonal DNA templates for multiplexing of the proximity ligation assay (PLA). PLA is a technology for the detection of protein interactions, post-translational modifications, and protein concentrations. To enable multiplexing of the PLA, the target information of antibodies was encoded within the DNA template of a PLA, where each template comprised four single-stranded DNA molecules. Our DNA design procedure followed the principles of minimizing the free energy of DNA cross-hybridization. To validate the functionality, orthogonality, and efficiency of the constructed template libraries, we developed a high-throughput solid-phase rolling-circle amplification assay and solid-phase PLA on a microfluidic platform. Upon integration on a microfluidic chip, 640 miniaturized pull-down assays for oligonucleotides or antibodies could be performed in parallel together with steps of DNA ligation, isothermal amplification, and detection under controlled microenvironments. From a large computed PLA template library, we randomly selected 10 template sets and tested all DNA combinations for cross-reactivity in the presence and absence of antibodies. By using the microfluidic chip application, we determined rapidly the false-positive rate of the design procedure, which was less than 1%. The combined theoretical and experimental procedure is applicable for high-throughput PLA studies on a microfluidic chip.     

Multiplexed homogeneous proximity ligation assays for high-throughput protein biomarker research in serological material

A high throughput protein biomarker discovery tool has been developed based on multiplexed proximity ligation assays in a homogeneous format in the sense of no washing steps. The platform consists of four 24-plex panels profiling 74 putative biomarkers with sub-pm sensitivity each consuming only 1 μl of human plasma sample. The system uses either matched monoclonal antibody pairs or the more readily available single batches of affinity purified polyclonal antibodies to generate the target specific reagents by covalently linking with unique nucleic acid sequences. These paired sequences are united by DNA ligation upon simultaneous target binding forming a PCR amplicon. Multiplex proximity ligation assays thereby converts multiple target analytes into real-time PCR amplicons that are individually quantified using microfluidic high capacity qPCR in nano liter volumes. The assay shows excellent specificity, even in multiplex, by its dual recognition feature, its proximity requirement, and most importantly by using unique sequence specific reporter fragments on both antibody-based probes. To illustrate the potential of this protein detection technology, a pilot biomarker research project was performed using biobanked plasma samples for the detection of colorectal cancer using a multivariate signature.     

A novel single‐cell method provides direct evidence of persistent DNA damage in senescent cells and aged mammalian tissues

The DNA damage response (DDR) arrests cell cycle progression until DNA lesions, like DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs), are repaired. The presence of DSBs in cells is usually detected by indirect techniques that rely on the accumulation of proteins at DSBs, as part of the DDR. Such detection may be biased, as some factors and their modifications may not reflect physical DNA damage. The dependency on DDR markers of DSB detection tools has left questions unanswered. In particular, it is known that senescent cells display persistent DDR foci, that we and others have proposed to be persistent DSBs, resistant to endogenous DNA repair activities. Others have proposed that these peculiar DDR foci might not be sites of damaged DNA per se but instead stable chromatin modifications, termed DNA‐SCARS. Here, we developed a method, named ‘DNA damage in situ ligation followed by proximity ligation assay’ (DI‐PLA) for the detection and imaging of DSBs in cells. DI‐PLA is based on the capture of free DNA ends in fixed cells in situ, by ligation to biotinylated double‐stranded DNA oligonucleotides, which are next recognized by antibiotin anti‐bodies. Detection is enhanced by PLA with a partner DDR marker at the DSB. We validated DI‐PLA by demonstrating its ability to detect DSBs induced by various genotoxic insults in cultured cells and tissues. Most importantly, by DI‐PLA, we demonstrated that both senescent cells in culture and tissues from aged mammals retain true unrepaired DSBs associated with DDR markers.