Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the mannose-binding lectin gene using minor groove binder-DNA probes

Structural point mutations in exon 1 at codons 52, 54 and 57 and a promotor polymorphism at -221 bp of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene are associated with increased susceptibility to various infectious diseases. We developed a genotyping method based on the 5' nuclease (TaqMan) assay in combination with the use of minor-groove-binder (MGB) probes in screening for these mutations/polymorphisms. In contrast to conventional probes, MGB probes have a short length and can be used for detection of mutations that are in close proximity to each other, as is the case for the structural mutations in exon 1 of the MBL gene. Results obtained with the 5' nuclease assay using MGB probes were identical with results obtained with classical techniques such as restriction fragment length polymorphism, allele-specific PCR, and sequencing. In conclusion, the 5' nuclease assay using MGB probes is useful for large-scale screening of point mutations/polymorphisms, even when they are in close proximity.     

Rapid screening for HLA-B27 by a TaqMan-PCR assay using sequence-specific primers and a minor groove binder probe, a novel type of TaqMan trade mark probe

HLA-B27 is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). As typing for HLA-B27 is routinely performed by serological methods, false-positive results can be generated. Therefore, several more accurate molecular methods have been developed for HLA-B27 genotyping. We describe a real-time PCR method for the detection of the HLA-B27 allele using sequence-specific primers (SSP) combined with a fluorogenic MGB probe (minor groove binder probe), a novel type of TaqMan probe. The MGB increases the melting temperature (T(m)) of the probe, allowing the use of shorter probes. Moreover, the use of a non-fluorescent quencher (NFQ) attached to the MGB probe improves the efficiency of fluorescence quenching, thus providing a very low fluorescent background. We tested this method on 150 subjects (41 HLA-B27 positive and 109 HLA-B27 negative) who underwent routine HLA-B27 serological testing by flow cytometry (FC). Serology and our TaqMan assay gave identical results in all cases and no false positive or negative results were observed. A graphical representation of fluorescence and normalized reporter signal (DeltaRn) values demonstrated that HLA-B27 positive and HLA-B27 negative samples formed two tight clusters making it possible to clearly differentiate between HLA-B27 positive and negative samples. This single tube PCR method for the detection of HLA-B27 should be particularly suitable for the routine analysis of large numbers of samples in the laboratory.     

肝螺杆菌TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR快速检测方法的建立及应用研究

目的 建立特异、敏感、快速检测肝螺杆菌的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR方法.方法 针对肝螺杆菌flaB 基因的保守区设计特异性引物和探针,建立肝螺杆菌TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定最PCR方检测方法,验证方法的特异性、敏感性和稳定性.对2008-2011年期间采集的1081份临床样本中的肝螺杆菌进行检测,同时进行分离培养和常规PCR检测.结果 建立的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR方法对肝螺杆菌的检测具有高度的特异性,对幽门螺杆菌、空肠弯曲菌、泰泽氏菌、侵肺巴斯德氏菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌均无交叉反应,检测的灵敏度达8.3拷贝.标准曲线显示各浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.999,斜率为-3.227,TaqManMGB探针实时荧光定量PCR效率为100％.对1081份临床样本进行检测,TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR和常规PCR均能检出86份肝螺杆菌阳性样本,而细菌分离培养则仅检出4份阳性.结果显示,建立的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR方法比细菌分离培养方法更敏感,能够直接从临床样本中检出肝螺杆菌DNA,检测时间仅为2h.结论 研究建立的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR方法具有可靠、特异、敏感的特点,适用于肝螺杆菌的快速检测.     

Sensitive and specific detection of bovine immunodeficiency virus and bovine syncytial virus by 5' Taq nuclease assays with fluorescent 3' minor groove binder-DNA probes

Sensitive assays are required to detect bovine retroviruses in donor cattle used for the in vivo preparation of Australian tick fever vaccines. 5' Taq nuclease assays using 3' minor groove binder DNA probes (TaqMan)MGB) were developed and compared to conventional PCR assays for the sensitive detection of bovine syncytial virus (BSV) and bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV). Seven beef and dairy herds were screened to evaluate these tests. Comparative sensitivities of PCR tests were determined by testing log(10) dilutions of plasmids with inserts containing corresponding provirus sequences. Published PCR assays targeting BIV env sequences did not adequately amplify Australian BIV sequences. Pol sequences from Australian strains of BIV and BSV were used to design TaqMan MGB assays, which improved sensitivity 10-fold (BIV) and 100-fold (BSV), respectively, over conventional PCR tests. This is the first report of Australian sequences of BIV and BSV and the first 5' Taq nuclease assays described to detect these viruses. These methods could be applied to future studies requiring sensitive detection of these two bovine retroviruses.     

Rapid detection of the factor V Leiden (1691 G > A) and haemochromatosis (845 G > A) mutation by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and real time PCR

A rapid method based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the haemochromatosis genotype in 112 individuals and the factor V genotype in 134 individuals. The results were compared with conventional methods based on restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products. The two methods agreed in 244 of the 246 individuals; for the other two individuals, sequencing showed that they had been incorrectly genotyped by the standard method but correctly genotyped by FRET. The simplicity, speed, and accuracy of real time PCR analysis using FRET probes make it the method of choice in the clinical laboratory for genotyping the haemochromatosis and factor V genes.     

Development and evaluation of a DNA enzyme immunoassay method for env genotyping of subtypes A through G of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 group M, with discrimination of the circulating recombinant forms CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG

The tools currently available for genetic subtyping of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are laborious or can be used only for the analysis of a limited number of samples and/or subtypes. We developed and evaluated a molecular biology-based method using subtype-specific oligonucleotide probes for env genotyping of subtypes A through G, CRF01_AE, and CRF02_AG. DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) genotyping is based on nested PCR amplification of the 5' end of the env gene (proviral DNA), followed by subtype-specific hybridization and immunoenzymatic detection on microplates. DEIA genotyping was validated with a large number of samples (n = 128) collected in Europe (France; n = 47), West-Central Africa (Cameroon; n = 36), and West Africa (Senegal; n = 45). Three different formats, depending on the distribution of subtypes in the three countries, were developed. The results were compared with those obtained by sequencing of the V3-V5 region and phylogenetic analysis or an env heteroduplex mobility assay. Additional sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the DEIA region (the first codon of the env coding sequence to the middle of conserved region C1 of gp120) were performed to investigate the reasons for discrepancies. Intense and highly specific reactions between the oligonucleotide probes and the corresponding samples were observed. Overall, correct identification was achieved for 107 of 128 samples (83.6%). One sample was not amplified, 10 (8%) were nontypeable (NT), and 10 (8%) were misidentified. Six of the 10 discordant samples were further investigated by phylogenetic analysis, which indicated that these samples corresponded to recombinants involving the env 5' end and the V3 and V5 regions of the two parental clades. Sequencing of NT samples showed numerous differences between sample and probe sequences, resulting in a lack of hybridization, and revealed the limitations of the selected probes in terms of specificity and sensitivity. We demonstrated the feasibility of DEIA genotyping: six subtypes plus the two most prevalent circulating recombinant forms were discriminated by using the 5' end of the env gene. This method can be adapted to the local situation by including only probes that correspond to the prevalent strains.     

Determination of hepatitis B virus genotype by flow-through reverse dot blot.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcome and response to therapy of hepatitis B virus infection differ depending upon viral genotype. Most methods of determining the viral genotype are relatively time-consuming and costly. Moreover, the results of some methods are influenced by single nucleotide mutations. OBJECTIVES: To develop a novel HBV genotyping process insensitive to single nucleotide mutations using an improved reverse dot blot method employing the principle of "flow-through hybridization". STUDY DESIGN: The flow through reverse dot blot (FT-RDB) method was developed using DNA from different HBV genotypes. HBV sequences from Genebank were used to design primers and probes. Specificity and sensitivity of the method were evaluated with clinical samples in which the HBV viral load was quantified by real-time PCR. Results were compared to those of multiplex PCR and sequencing. Another 59 clinical samples were used to test the clinical applicability of the method. RESULTS: We showed that FT-RDB could be made insensitive to single nucleotide mismatch by adjusting the hybridization temperature. All HBV-negative samples showed no signals in the assay. The detection sensitivity of the method was found to be between 10(3) and 10(4) DNA copies/ml. The results of FT-RDB were 84% concordant with those of multiplex PCR, and 96% concordant with sequencing results in 101 cases. The genotype all 59 clinical samples was accurately identified. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the FT-RDB method was rapid, reliable, accurate and inexpensive. It appears to be useful for routine clinical HBV genotyping even in non-specialized hospital laboratories.     

A Homogeneous, Ligase-Mediated DNA Diagnostic Test

Single-nucleotide variations are the most widely distributed genetic markers in the human genome. A subset of these variations, the substitution mutations, are responsible for most genetic disorders. As single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are being developed for molecular diagnosis of genetic disorders and large-scale population studies for genetic analysis of complex traits, a simple, sensitive, and specific test for single nucleotide changes is highly desirable. In this report we describe the development of a homogeneous DNA detection method that requires no further manipulations after the initial reaction is set up. This assay, named dye-labeled oligonucleotide ligation (DOL), combines the PCR and the oligonucleotide ligation reaction in a two-stage thermal cycling sequence with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detection monitored in real time. Because FRET occurs only when the donor and acceptor dyes are in close proximity, one can infer the genotype or mutational status of a DNA sample by monitoring the specific ligation of dye-labeled oligonucleotide probes. We have successfully applied the DOL assay to genotype 10 SNPs or mutations. By designing the PCR primers and ligation probes in a consistent manner, multiple assays can be done under the same thermal cycling conditions. The standardized design and execution of the DOL assay means that it can be automated for high-throughput genotyping in large-scale population studies.     

Parallel genotyping of human SNPs using generic high-density oligonucleotide tag arrays

Large scale human genetic studies require technologies for generating millions of genotypes with relative ease but also at a reasonable cost and with high accuracy. We describe a highly parallel method for genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using generic high-density oligonucleotide arrays that contain thousands of preselected 20-mer oligonucleotide tags. First, marker-specific primers are used in PCR amplifications of genomic regions containing SNPs. Second, the amplification products are used as templates in single base extension (SBE) reactions using chimeric primers with 3' complementarity to the specific SNP loci and 5' complementarity to specific probes, or tags, synthesized on the array. The SBE primers, terminating one base before the polymorphic site, are extended in the presence of labeled dideoxy NTPs, using a different label for each of the two SNP alleles, and hybridized to the tag array. Third, genotypes are deduced from the fluorescence intensity ratio of the two colors. This approach takes advantage of multiplexed sample preparation, hybridization, and analysis at each stage. We illustrate and test this method by genotyping 44 individuals for 142 human SNPs identified previously in 62 candidate hypertension genes. Because the hybridization results are quantitative, this method can also be used for allele-frequency estimation in pooled DNA samples.     

采用PCR微板核酸杂交-ELISA技术进行HBV DNA基因分型的研究

目的 采用PCR微板核酸杂交－ELISA技术对HBV DNA进行基因分型研究。方法 采用PCR、核酸杂交和酶联显色技术,首先将HBV DNA进行PCR扩增,并将扩增产物加入预先包被HBV通用探针的微孔板,再加入HBV各基因型显色探针,同时进行微板核酸夹心杂交－ELISA显色,对152例临床诊断为不同程度乙型肝炎患者血清中HBV DNA进行基因分型。结果 152例不同临床表面的肝炎患得血清中的HBV DNA的基因型大多集中在B、C和D这3种基因型,其所占比例分别为：B型28．29％（43／152）,C型（37．50％（57／152）、D硎型18．42％（28／152）;A型、E型、F占比例很少,各占有3．29％（5／152）。还存在一定比例的混合基因型,B、C、D三型不同组合的混合型共占10．53％（16／152）。结论 PCR微板核酸杂交－ELISA方法可以准确、快速、简便进行HBV基因分型,在探讨HBV的流行病学及观察各基因型毒力强弱及致病性大小方面有重要意义。     

Sequence variation can affect the performance of minor groove binder TaqMan probes in viral diagnostic assays.

A minor groove binder (MGB) TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in clinical specimens. Upon evaluation of the assay, notable differences were observed in the overall fluorescent response obtained from RSV positive specimens, with some linear amplification curves deviating only slightly from baseline fluorescence. Sequencing of the probes targets in these RSV strains revealed single base mismatches with the MGB TaqMan probe. Overall, these results highlight the usefulness of MGB TaqMan probes for the detection of mismatches, but suggest that MGB Taqman probes have limitations for routine screening for uncharacterised viral strains.     

Sensitive and specific detection of proviral bovine leukemia virus by 5' Taq nuclease PCR using a 3' minor groove binder fluorogenic probe

Sensitive assays are required to detect proviral bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in donor cattle used for the in vivo preparation of Australian tick fever vaccines. 5' Taq nuclease assays using 3' minor groove binder DNA probes (TaqManMGB) were developed and compared to conventional PCR assays for sensitive detection of Australian BLV. Seven beef and dairy herds were screened using DNA prepared by a variety of protocols to evaluate these tests. Comparative sensitivities of PCR tests were determined by testing log(10) dilutions of plasmids with inserted BLV sequences. Animals were also screened by the BLV standard agar-gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) and commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibodies, and an ELISA for detecting viral antigens expressed (VAE) in lymphocyte cultures. The TaqMan MGB assay based on the pol region was the most sensitive and specific for the detection of BLV. This is the first report of a sensitive BLV 5' Taq nuclease assay.     

A sensitive, type-specific, fluorogenic probe assay for detection of human papillomavirus DNA.

A simple method for the detection of a number of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes associated with cervical cancer has been developed. The assay exploits the 5'-->3' exonucleolytic activity of Taq DNA polymerase to increase the signal from fluorescent dyes by releasing them from genotype-specific probes during PCR. The probes are oligonucleotides with a 5' reporter dye (6-carboxyfluorescein), a quencher dye (6-carboxy-tetramethyl-rhodamine), and a phosphate-blocked 3' end. In the intact probe, the proximity of the reporter and the quencher results in suppression of reporter fluorescence by Förster-type energy transfer (V. T. Förster. Ann. Phys. 2:55-75, 1948). If the probe is bound downstream of either primer during PCR, the 5'-->3' exonucleolytic activity of Taq polymerase degrades it, allowing the reporter to diffuse away from the quencher, which results in an increase in reporter fluorescence. The increased fluorescence is directly related to the amount of target DNA and can be detected with an automated fluorometer. Probes for the L1 region of the cervical-cancer-associated HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35 were synthesized and the assays were optimized. The most sensitive assay can detect as few as two copies of HPV DNA in human cervical specimens.     

Detection and genotyping of oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum by real-time PCR and melting curve analysis

Several real-time PCR procedures for the detection and genotyping of oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum were evaluated. A 40-cycle amplification of a 157-bp fragment from the C. parvum beta-tubulin gene detected individual oocysts which were introduced into the reaction mixture by micromanipulation. SYBR Green I melting curve analysis was used to confirm the specificity of the method when DNA extracted from fecal samples spiked with oocysts was analyzed. Because C. parvum isolates infecting humans comprise two distinct genotypes, designated type 1 and type 2, real-time PCR methods for discriminating C. parvum genotypes were developed. The first method used the same beta-tubulin amplification primers and two fluorescently labeled antisense oligonucleotide probes spanning a 49-bp polymorphic sequence diagnostic for C. parvum type 1 and type 2. The second genotyping method used SYBR Green I fluorescence and targeted a polymorphic coding region within the GP900/poly(T) gene. Both methods discriminated between type 1 and type 2 C. parvum on the basis of melting curve analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the application of melting curve analysis for genotyping of C. parvum oocysts.     

Single nucleotide variation detection by ligation of universal probes on a 3D poyacrylamide gel DNA microarray

We attempted to simultaneously analyze single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in a number of samples by integrating the high fidelity of ligation of universal probes with the robustness of three‐dimensional (3D) polyacrylamide gel DNA microarray. By performing a ligation reaction between the 5′ phosphate terminus of the sequencing primer and the 3′ hydroxyl terminus of the labeled probe, we accurately identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of 33 genomic DNA samples and two point mutations in the PCR‐amplified 83 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) samples immobilized in gel. Fluorescent imaging allowed genotyping with a high call rate (100%). The average fluorescence intensity obtained by ligation of universal probes was about 85% of that acquired by dual‐color fluorescence hybridization, and the detection specificities of these two methods were similar. Because the fluorescently labeled probes can be used to detect all SNVs, ligation of universal probes was thought to be more cost effective. Our study demonstrated that this method can detect SNVs in an economic, authentic, and high‐throughput format on the 3D microarray platform. Hum Mutat 30:1–9, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Serological determination of hepatitis C virus genotype: comparison with a standardized genotyping assay.

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, determination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype could be routinely run in the future to tailor treatment schedules. The suitabilities of two versions of a serological, so-called serotyping assay (Murex HCV Serotyping Assay version 1-3 [SA1-3] and Murex HCV Serotyping Assay version 1-6 [SA1-6]; Murex Diagnostics Ltd.), based on the detection of genotype-specific antibodies directed to epitopes encoded by the NS4 region of the genome, for the routine determination of HCV genotypes were studied. The results were compared with those of a molecular biology-based genotyping method (HCV Line Probe Assay [INNO-LiPA HCV]; Innogenetics S.A.), based on hybridization of PCR products onto genotype-specific probes designed in the 5' noncoding region of the genome, obtained with pretreatment serum samples from 88 patients with chronic hepatitis C eligible for interferon therapy. Definitive genotyping was performed by sequence analysis of three regions of the viral genome in all samples with discrepant typing results found among at least two of the three assays studied. In all instances, sequence analysis confirmed the result of the INNO-LiPA HCV test. The sensitivity of SA1-3 was 75% relative to the results obtained by the genotyping assay. The results were concordant with those of genotyping for 92% of the samples typeable by SA1-3. The sensitivity of SA1-6 was 89% relative to the results obtained by the genotyping assay. The results were concordant with those of genotyping for 94% of the samples typeable by SA1-6. Overall, SA1-6 had increased sensitivity relative to SA1-3 but remained less sensitive than the genotyping assay on the basis of PCR amplification of HCV RNA. Cross-reactivities between different HCV genotypes could be responsible for the mistyping of 8 (SA1-3) and 6% (SA1-6) of the samples. Subtyping of 1a and 1b is still not possible with the existing peptides, but discriminating between subtypes may not be necessary for routine use.     

Genotyping of the granulocyte-specific NA antigens from small quantities of blood or serum

Abstract: To avoid the well-known shortcomings of phenotyping granulocytes for the NA antigens using NA-specific human sera, a DNA-based method to determine the NA genotype was developed. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood cells or serum, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immobilized on nylon membrane and genotyped using digoxigenin-labeled, sequence-specific oligonucleotides (SSO). The genotyping results of whole blood samples from 54 and of serum from 20 individuals correlated perfectly with our phenotyping using the antigen capture assay MAIGA. In three cases with the phenotype "NA-null" no hybridization of the NA-specific oligonucleotides occurred. These data show that SSO is a reliable method for NA genotyping especially if only small volumes of blood or even only serum probes are available.     

A sensitive method to detect the hepatitis B virus mutations by using solid phase PCR on oligonucleotide array

A sensitive method based on solid phase PCR on oligonucleotide array was established to detect two point mutations 1896G-A and 1901G-A in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, in which 6 probes including these two point mutations were immobilized on modified glass slides through 5' terminal linker, while the 3' terminal was made to be free. The mutated loci were designed to locate on the last nucleotides of 3' terminal respectively, and the positive control probes lacked the last nucleotide of 3' terminal in comparison with the probes used for detection. Probes fixed on oligonucleotide array were also the solid phase amplification primers. One pair of liquid primers was used to amplify the short template product from whole HBV DNA. Using target DNA as template, the solid primers were extended under the action of Taq DNA polymerase and incorporated with Cy-3dCTP as marker. During the thermal cycling reaction, probes served as solid phase amplification primers and amplification products bound to the oligonucleotide array, which could be visualized by incorporation with fluorescent dyes. After amplification, the oligonucleotide array was washed, performed with laser scanning, and then used for quantitative analysis to obtain the information for mutations. The hybridization results were compared with DNA sequencing. It was demonstrated that in case of sample A, the ratios of fluorescence intensities in wide type and in the mutated types of 1896G-A and 1901G-A mutations in HBV were 3.81:1 and 1:3.79 respectively, while, in case of sample B, those were 1:2.89 and 1:3.03 respectively, indicating the presence of point mutations in these two loci. These results correlated to those obtained from DNA sequencing analysis in which the fluorescence intensity ratios in wide type and in the mutated types of 1996G-A and 1901D-A mutations in HBV were 1.26:1 and 1.67:1 respectively. From the above observations, it is evident that the method using solid phase PCR based on oligonucleotide array appears to be a sensitive and promising way to detect mutations with low-density.     

Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes by melting-curve analysis of quantitative polymerase chain reaction products

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative agent of non-A and non-B viral hepatitis. Factors associated with disease progression following HCV infection include the viral genotype, the patient's alcohol consumption and viral load. In this study, the COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR test, a commercially available quantitative assay for HCV RNA, was used for HCV genotyping analysis. Amplification products obtained from 100 HCV-positive cases were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing using a single pair of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes and melting-curve analysis. Of 100 samples tested, two inhibited the PCR, two samples yielded discrepancies between our results and the reference laboratory results and the remaining samples provided correct typing. The present report suggests that HCV genotypes can be determined rapidly with FRET probes directly from COBAS AMPLICOR MONITOR test PCR products.     

反向点杂交检测中国人群常见4种G6PD突变方法的建立及评价

目的建立基于PCR-RDB技术的可同时检测中国人群G6PD最常见的4种基因突变类型的基因分型方法并对其作出评价。方法分别针对中国人群G6PD最常见的4种基因突变类型95(A→G)、1376(G→T)、1388(G→A)、1024(C→T)设计PCR扩增引物和基因分型探针,将探针固定到尼龙膜上制做成杂交膜条,建立PCR扩增体系和杂交体系。利用13例已知基因型的样本建立针对这4种基因突变类型的PCR-RDB检测方法。盲法对109例上述4种G6PD样本和正常样本进行PCR-RDB检测以及基因序列测定,并对两种方法所得结果进行对比。结果 PCR-RDB法准确地检测出了检测范围内所有的突变类型和正常样本,检测结果与测序结果完全一致。结论 PCR-RDB是一种经济、简便、高效、准确的G6PD基因分型方法 ,可用于G6PD的分型诊断和分型研究,并可做为一种常规方法推广到临床进行基因分型检测。