Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for measuring the N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase mRNA level in rodent cells

Exogenous reference gene normalization for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis under dynamic endogenous transcription

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2(-∆∆Ct) normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxin selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference β-III tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.

Deficiency of N-methylpurine-DNA-glycosylase expression in nonparenchymal cells, the target cell for vinyl chloride and vinyl fluoride

The ability to repair promutagenic damage resulting from exposure to carcinogens is a critical factor in determining quantitative relationships in carcinogenesis, including the target cell for neoplasia. One major pathway for the repair of alkylating agent-induced DNA damage involves removal of alkylated bases by N-methylpurine-DNA-glycosylase (MPG), the first enzyme in base excision repair. We have measured the expression level of MPG mRNA in liver, lung, and kidney of Sprague-Dawley rats as a function of age. A quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) method was used to measure cellular MPG mRNA. MPG mRNA was readily detectable in each tissue analyzed and the age-dependent and tissue specific expressions were not statistically different. The lowest amount of mRNA was measured in preweanling liver and the highest amounts were found in preweanling lung and kidney. Since MPG is reported to be responsible for excision of 1,N(6)-ethenoadenine and N(2),3-ethenoguanine, two promutagenic DNA adducts of vinyl chloride (VC) and vinyl fluoride (VF), we examined the regulation of this enzyme after carcinogen exposure. Expression of MPG was induced in rat liver by these carcinogens. In order to determine the repair capacity in different cell populations of liver, we measured MPG gene expression in isolated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells (NPC). The amount of MPG mRNA was 4.5-5 times higher in hepatocytes than in NPC of control rats. Induction of MPG expression was observed in hepatocytes of VF exposed-rats but not in NPC. The expression of MPG in NPC was only 15% of that of the hepatocytes from exposed rats. Western blots of MPG protein confirmed the cell type differences, but did not show increased protein in exposed vs. control liver and hepatocytes. Since metabolism of VC and VF requires CYP2E1, an enzyme exhibiting much greater activity in hepatocytes, formation of etheno adducts preferentially occurs in hepatocytes. These data suggest that cellular differences in the repair of N-alkylpurines may be a critical mechanism in the development of cell specificity in VC carcinogenesis.

A sandwich hybridization assay employing enzyme amplification for termination of specific ribosomal RNA from unpurified cell lysates

We have employed the power of the cyclic NAD-based enzyme amplification system to the determination of 16S rRNA. This generally applicable system employs two oligonucleotide probes, one of which is captured on a microtiter well surface and the other labeled with alkaline phosphatase. The detection of very low levels of hybridization of the capture probe is then achieved by the means of the ultrasensitive enzyme-amplified assay system, resulting in a highly sensitive, convenient, and rapid technology which can be directly employed on unpurified samples. We have been able to demonstrate the detection of 20 amol (10(7) molecules) of pure rRNA, and specific signals from as few as 2000 bacterial cells have also been demonstrated. The total procedural time can be short-5 to 18 h-depending on the dynamic range and sensitivity required. RNA target in the range of 10(12)-10(8) molecules can be assayed within 5 h. Extending the substrate incubation time enables between 10(11) and 10(7) molecules to be determined within 18 h. The system has great potential use with respect to studying the distribution and physiological states of cellular organisms.