Method for manufacturing whole-genome microarrays by rolling circle amplification

Comparative genomic hybridization: DNA preparation for microarray fabrication

The spatial resolution of microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) is dependent on the length and density of target DNA sequences covering the chromosomal region of interest. Here we describe the methods developed at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Cambridge, UK) to construct microarrays comprising large-insert clones available through genome sequencing projects. These methods are applicable to Bacterial and Phage Artificial Chromosomes (BAC and PAC) as well as fosmid and cosmid clones. The protocols are scalable for the construction of microarrays composed of several hundreds up to several ten thousands clones.

Toward improved biochips based on rolling circle amplification--influences of the microenvironment on the fluorescence properties of labeled DNA oligonucleotides

Microarrays have become an increasingly important tool for biotechnology and molecular diagnostics. Despite many advantages, their sensitivity is still insufficient for such tasks as the analysis of small sample quantities and for the detection of alterations in gene expression of low-abundance genes. Accordingly, amplification strategies are necessary. Approaches to amplify the signal intensity include the increase of the number of dye molecules per target through either particle labels or rolling circle amplification, as used for this study.

Clinical array comparative genomic hybridization: a new paradigm

BACKGROUND

Although the clinical utility of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is undisputed, the implementation of this technology is a unique experience for each laboratory.

OBJECTIVE

Endeavors to construct a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based CGH microarray targeting microdeletion and duplication syndromes related to mental retardation and developmental delay are described.

METHOD

Covering each chromosome at the 650-band level, the array comprises 1360 BAC clones with emphasis on the subtelomeric and pericentromeric regions and enrichment of genomic hot spots containing genes associated with specific constitutional disorders. During development of the array, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and end-sequencing analysis eliminated 24% of BACs that were mismapped or cross-hybridized, underscoring the need rigorously to assess arrayed elements. Performance of the BACs was tested further with chromosome-specific add-in experiments.

CONCLUSION

Of the first 500 clinical cases, 54 (11%) showed chromosome abnormalities, which were confirmed by FISH with BACs from the aberrant loci or by conventional cytogenetics. Array CGH is a powerful tool that is now being implemented in the realm of diagnostic testing.

Detection of proteins based on amino acid sequences by multiple aptamers against tripeptides

A number of different ligands have been tested in the course of the development of protein array technology. The most extensively studied example of protein ligands has been based on antibody-antigen interaction. Other examples include protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, and protein-small molecule interactions. All these ligands can recognize and specifically bind to protein epitopes. In this study, we have developed a novel technology using DNA-based aptamers to detect proteins based on their amino acid sequences. Mouse cathepsin D was used for the proof of principle experiment. Four tripeptides, Leu-Ala-Ser, Asp-Gly-Ile, Gly-Glu-Leu, and Lys-Ala-Ile, were selected based on the published amino acid sequence of mouse cathepsin D. DNA aptamers against the tripeptides were isolated using the systematic evolution of ligands of exponential enrichment method. We have demonstrated that the aptamers specifically interacted with mouse cathepsin D using the structure-switch method. We further performed a proximity-dependent ligation assay to demonstrate that multiple aptamers could specifically detect the protein from cell extracts. In principle, one library containing 8000 aptamers should be enough to detect almost all proteins in the whole proteome in all organisms. This technology could be applied to generate a new generation of protein arrays.

Multiple displacement amplification to create a long-lasting source of DNA for genetic studies

In many situations there may not be sufficient DNA collected from patient or population cohorts to meet the requirements of genome-wide analysis of SNPs, genomic copy number polymorphisms, or acquired copy number alternations. When the amount of available DNA for genotype analysis is limited, high performance whole-genome amplification (WGA) represents a new development in genetic analysis. It is especially useful for analysis of DNA extracted from stored histology slides, tissue samples, buccal swabs, or blood stains collected on filter paper. The multiple displacement amplification (MDA) method, which relies on isothermal amplification using the DNA polymerase of the bacteriophage phi29, is a recently developed technique for high performance WGA. This review addresses new trends in the technical performance of MDA and its applications to genetic analyses. The main challenge of WGA methods is to obtain balanced and faithful replication of all chromosomal regions without the loss of or preferential amplification of any genomic loci or allele. In multiple comparisons to other WGA methods, MDA appears to be most reliable for genotyping, with the most favorable call rates, best genomic coverage, and lowest amplification bias.

Comparative genomic hybridization

Altering DNA copy number is one of the many ways that gene expression and function may be modified. Some variations are found among normal individuals ( 14, 35, 103 ), others occur in the course of normal processes in some species ( 33 ), and still others participate in causing various disease states. For example, many defects in human development are due to gains and losses of chromosomes and chromosomal segments that occur prior to or shortly after fertilization, whereas DNA dosage alterations that occur in somatic cells are frequent contributors to cancer. Detecting these aberrations, and interpreting them within the context of broader knowledge, facilitates identification of critical genes and pathways involved in biological processes and diseases, and provides clinically relevant information. Over the past several years array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has demonstrated its value for analyzing DNA copy number variations. In this review we discuss the state of the art of array CGH and its applications in medical genetics and cancer, emphasizing general concepts rather than specific results.

DNA reassociation using oscillating phenol emulsions

Reassociating double-stranded DNA from single-stranded components is necessary for many molecular genetics experiments. The choice of a DNA reassociation method is dictated by the complexity of the starting material. Reassociation of simple oligomers needs only slow cooling in an aqueous environment, whereas reannealing the many single-stranded DNAs of complex genomic mixtures requires both a phenol emulsion to accelerate DNA reassociation and dedicated equipment to maintain the emulsion. We present a method that is equally suitable for reassociating either simple or complex DNA mixtures. The Oscillating Phenol Emulsion Reassociation Technique (OsPERT) was primarily developed to prepare heteroduplex DNA from alkali-denatured high molecular weight human genomic DNA samples in which hundreds of thousands of fragments need to be reannealed, but the simplicity of the technique makes it practical for less demanding DNA reassociation applications.

Amplification of circularizable probes for the detection of target nucleic acids and proteins

BACKGROUND

Circularizable oligonucleotide probe (C-probe) is a unique molecule that offers significant advantages over conventional probes.

METHODS

Closed circular structure can be formed through ligation of the juxtaposed ends of the C-probe after hybridization with a target, and subsequently locked onto its target through the helical turns formed between the complementary sequences of the target and the C-probe (padlock probe). Under isothermal condition, C-probe can be amplified by rolling circle amplification (RCA) to generate multimeric single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). This multimeric ssDNA can be further amplified by a ramification mechanism (RAM) through primer extension and downstream DNA displacement, resulting in an exponential amplification. Usually, an unbiased product is generated by either RCA or ramification amplification method (or RAM) due to the generic primers of C-probe and its localization onto DNA targets.

CONCLUSIONS

These advantages make C-probe amplification very useful for research and molecular diagnosis, especially in areas where other techniques were proved to be inadequate. The development of C-probe-based technologies offers a promising prospect for molecular diagnosis. The applications of C-probe, RCA, RAM, in situ detection, microarray, immunoassay, single nucleotide polymorphism, and whole genome amplification, etc. are discussed in this review.

Detection and calibration of microdeletions and microduplications by array-based comparative genomic hybridization and its applicability to clinical genetic testing

PURPOSE

Genome-wide telomere screening by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has revealed that approximately 6% of unexplained mental retardation is due to submicroscopic telomere imbalances. However, the use of FISH for telomere screening is labor intensive and time consuming, given that 41 telomeres are interrogated. We have evaluated the use of array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) as a more efficient tool for identifying telomere rearrangements.

METHODS

In this study, 102 individuals with unexplained mental retardation, with either normal or abnormal FISH results, were selected for a blinded retrospective study using aCGH. Results between the two methodologies were compared to ascertain the ability of aCGH to be used in a clinical diagnostics setting.

RESULTS

We detected 100% of all imbalances previously identified by FISH (n = 17) and identified two additional abnormalities, a 10q telomere duplication and an interstitial duplication of 22q11. Interphase FISH analysis verified all abnormal array results. We also demonstrated that aCGH can accurately calibrate the size of telomere imbalances by using an array with "molecular rulers" for the telomeric regions of 1p, 16p, 17p, and 22q.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that aCGH is an equivalent methodology to telomere FISH for detecting submicroscopic deletions. In addition, small duplications that are not easily visible by FISH can be accurately detected using aCGH. Because aCGH allows simultaneous interrogation of hundreds to thousands of DNA probes and is more amenable to automation, it offers an efficient and high-throughput alternative for detecting and calibrating unbalanced rearrangements, both of the telomere region, as well as other genomic locations.

Array comparative genomic hybridization and its applications in cancer

Alteration in DNA copy number is one of the many ways in which gene expression and function may be modified. Some variations are found among normal individuals, others occur in the course of normal processes in some species and still others participate in causing various disease states. For example, many defects in human development are due to gains and losses of chromosomes and chromosomal segments that occur before or shortly after fertilization, and DNA dosage-alteration changes occurring in somatic cells are frequent contributors to cancer. Detecting these aberrations and interpreting them in the context of broader knowledge facilitates the identification of crucial genes and pathways involved in biological processes and disease. Over the past several years, array comparative genomic hybridization has proven its value for analyzing DNA copy-number variations. Here, we discuss the state of the art of array comparative genomic hybridization and its applications in cancer, emphasizing general concepts rather than specific results.

Cloning of CviPII nicking and modification system from chlorella virus NYs-1 and application of Nt.CviPII in random DNA amplification

The cloning and expression of the CviPII DNA nicking and modification system encoded by chlorella virus NYs-1 is described. The system consists of a co-linear MTase encoding gene (cviPIIM) and a nicking endonuclease encoding gene (cviPIINt) separated by 12 nt. M.CviPII possesses eight conserved amino acid motifs (I to VIII) typical of C5 MTases, but, like another chlorella virus MTase M.CviJI, lacks conserved motifs IX and X. In addition to modification of the first cytosine in CCD (D = A, G or T) sequences, M.CviPII modifies both the first two cytosines in CCAA and CCCG sites as well. Nt.CviPII has significant amino acid sequence similarity to Type II restriction endonuclease CviJI that recognizes an overlapping sequence (RG--CY). Nt.CviPII was expressed in Escherichia coli with or without a His-tag in a host pre-modified by M.CviPII. Recombinant Nt.CviPII recognizes the DNA sequence CCD and cleaves the phosphodiester bond 5' of the first cytosine while the other strand of DNA at this site is not affected. Nt.CviPII displays site preferences with CCR (R = A or G) sites preferred over CCT sites. Nt.CviPII is active from 16 to 65 degrees C with a temperature optimum of 30-45 degrees C. Nt.CviPII can be used to generate single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) for isothermal strand-displacement amplification. Nt.CviPII was used in combination with Bst DNA polymerase I large fragment to rapidly amplify anonymous DNA from genomic DNA or from a single bacterial colony.