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Detection of mRNA by non-radioactive direct primed in situ reverse transcription.

There are various techniques to detect mRNA in tissue specimens. Among these in situ hybridization is widely applied, and for the detection of small quantities of RNA in situ reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (in situ RT-PCR) has been applied. Furthermore in situ transcription, where signal is produced by direct incorporation of labeled nucleotides during production of a cDNA by reverse transcription, has been shown by a few investigators. We present a non-radioactive in situ reverse transcriptase (in situ RT) protocol which is at least as sensitive as in situ hybridization but avoids probe production and long procedures of preincubation, incubation, and washing. Digoxigenin-labeled UTP is incorporated into a cDNA produced by in situ reverse transcription of mRNA. This method is combined with the fast and sensitive immunogold-silver detection system allowing demonstration of the mRNA within 7 h compared to days in the case of in situ hybridization. Contrary to in situ RT-PCR this new method of in situ RT has no background problems due to non-specific amplification or diffusion of the reaction product.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning of mRNAS which increase rapidly in human lymphocytes cultured with concanavalin-A and cycloheximide.

To induce or "superexpress" genes involved in the entry of cultured GO lymphocytes into the G1-phase of the cell cycle, the cells were treated for 2 hours with a lectin (concanavalin-A) and a protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide). A cDNA library was generated from small quantities of RNA by the high efficiency method of Gubler & Hoffman (1). 30,000 colonies were screened for differential hybridization to cDNA corresponding to treated cultures, but not to cDNA corresponding to control cultures. 50 recombinants were identified on this basis. One recombinant (#7) corresponded to mRNA (2150 base pairs) which was increased by cycloheximide alone, but was not increased by concanavalin A. Another recombinant (#19) corresponded to 2 mRNAs (980 and 1120 base pairs) one or both of which were increased either by concanavalin-A or by cycloheximide. It is speculated that the latter mRNAs are products of a locus which is activated when the concentration of a repressor is decreased by concanavalin-A or cycloheximide.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Assessment of lymphokine profiles in activated lymphocytes by semiquantitative PCR.

Several methods are currently used to detect the expression of specific mRNAs in leukocytes. While Northern blot analysis and RNase protection assays are commonly chosen for quantitative assessment of mRNA levels, these methods require a significant quantity of RNA, making their use unfeasible when limiting numbers of cells are available. Alternatively, use of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique allows detection of specific mRNAs even at low copy number. It is, however, difficult to establish the conditions which allow consistent semi-quantitative assessment of specific mRNA expression, using the RT-PCR method. We report here a modification of the RT-PCR technique, which has enabled us to compare lymphokine mRNA expression profiles in mixed cell populations activated either in vivo or in vitro. This modification is based on the use of standard RNAs generated by in vitro transcription of size-modified CD3 and IFN-gamma-specific PCR products subcloned into the pGEM3 plasmid. Equal amounts of standard RNAs are introduced into each sample, reverse transcribed and co-amplified with cellular mRNA to control the reproducibility and efficiency of the method. The template therefore follows the cellular RNA through all steps of the analysis, and the corresponding 32P-labelled PCR products are subsequently separated by PAGE procedure. The amount of radioactivity incorporated into lymphokine-specific bands is determined by densitometry and normalized against the density of standard bands. Under optimal PCR conditions this method is linear over a 50-fold range of dilutions. The technique is specific, reproducible and fast, allowing an analysis of lymphokine-specific mRNA profiles in samples containing 10(4)-10(6) cells.

Animals↗

The relative importance of premortem acidosis and postmortem interval for human brain gene expression studies: selective mRNA vulnerability and comparison with their encoded proteins.

To help account for the variable quality and quantity of RNA in human brain, we have studied the effect of premortem (agonal state) and postmortem factors on the detection of poly(A)+mRNA and eight mRNAs. For comparison, the influence of the same factors upon gene products encoded by the mRNAs was studied immunocytochemically or by receptor autoradiography. Brain pH declined with increasing age at death and was related to agonal state severity, but was independent of postmortem interval and the histological presence of hypoxic changes. By linear regression, pH was significantly associated with the abundance of several of the RNAs, but not with poly(A)+mRNA, immunoreactivities, or binding site densities. Postmortem interval had a limited influence upon mRNA and protein products. Freezer storage time showed no effect. Parallel rat brain studies showed no relationship between postmortem interval (0-48 h) and amounts of total RNA, poly(A)+RNA, or two individual mRNAs; however, RNA content was reduced by 40% at 96 h after death. pH is superior to clinical assessments of agonal state or mode of death in predicting mRNA preservation. It provides a simple means to improve human brain gene expression studies. pH is stable after death and during freezer storage and can be measured either in cerebrospinal fluid or in homogenised tissue.

Acidosis↗

Histological and histochemical investigations on the Langerhans' islets of the frog (Rana ridibunda).

The Langerhans' islets of the frog Rana ridibunda are built up of A, B, and D cells like other vertebrates. The phospholipids (Baker's test) are located in the capillary pole of the B-Cells, where also beta-granules are present. In the cells of the endocrine pancreas there is found also some quantity of glycogen, but the reaction for zink is negative. The quantity of RNA in the cytoplasme of the islet's cells is minimum.

Animals↗

Minilibraries constructed from cDNA generated by arbitrarily primed RT-PCR: an alternative to normalized libraries for the generation of ESTs from nanogram quantities of mRNA.

The generation of expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) depends on the arbitrary selection of individual cDNA clones from libraries. The efficiency of this process reflects the clonal structure of the library used and can be significantly increased using size selected, directional, normalized cDNA libraries. This strategy, however, is not readily applicable when mRNA is limiting, as is the case in the study of complex microorganisms such as parasites, fetal tissues or tumor biopsies. We show here that the construction and systematic sequencing of minilibraries of cDNAs produced by arbitrarily primed PCR provides an alternative means of efficiently generating ESTs in situations where only nanogram quantities of RNA are available. This methodology greatly compensates for unequal message abundance, avoids the need for complex library construction, is equally applicable to the analysis of abundant or rare biological material and is ideally suited to multicenter programmes.

Animals↗

Multiple fibroblast growth factors support growth of the ureteric bud but have different effects on branching morphogenesis.

Together with glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), soluble factors present in a metanephric mesenchyme (MM) cell conditioned medium (BSN-CM) are necessary to induce branching morphogenesis of the isolated ureteric bud (UB) in vitro (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96 (1999) 7330). Several lines of evidence are presented here in support of a modulating role for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in this process. RT-PCR revealed the expression of two FGF receptors, FGFR1(IIIc) and FGFR2(IIIb), in isolated embryonic day 13 rat UBs, which by indirect immunofluorescence displayed a uniform distribution. Rat kidney organ culture experiments in the presence of a soluble FGFR2(IIIb) chimera or a neutralizing antibody to FGF7 suggested an important contribution of FGFs other than FGF7 to the branching program. Several FGFs, including FGF1, FGF2, FGF7 and FGF10, in combination with GDNF and BSN-CM were found to affect growth and branching of the isolated UB, albeit with very different effects. FGF1 and FGF7 were at extreme ends of the spectrum, with FGF10 (more FGF1-like) and FGF2 (more FGF7-like) falling in between. FGF1 induced the formation of elongated UB branching stalks with distinct proliferative ampullary tips, whereas FGF7 induced amorphous buds displaying nonselective proliferation with little distinction between stalks and ampullae. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated that FGF1 treatment induced cytoskeletal organization, intercellular junctions and lumens along the stalk portion of the developing tubules, while the ampullary regions contained 'less differentiated' cells with an abundant secretory apparatus. In contrast, FGF7-induced UBs displayed this 'less differentiated' morphology regardless of position on the structure and were virtually indistinguishable from FGF1-induced ampullae. Consistent with this, GeneChip array analysis (employing a novel nanogram-scale assay consisting of two rounds of amplification and in vitro transcription for analyzing small quantities of RNA) revealed that FGF7-induced UBs expressed more markers of cell proliferation than FGF1, which caused the UB to express cytoskeletal proteins, extracellular matrix proteins, and at least one integrin, some of which may be important in UB branch elongation. Thus, while the various FGFs examined all support UB growth, FGF1 and FGF10 appear to be more important for branching and branch elongation, and may thus play a role in determination of nephron number and patterning in the developing kidney. These in vitro data may help to explain results from knockout and transgenic studies and suggest how different FGFs may, together with GDNF and other factor(s) secreted by MM cells, regulate branching morphogenesis of the UB by their relative effects on its growth, branching and branch elongation and differentiation, thereby affecting patterning in the developing kidney.

3T3 Cells↗

Detection of changes occurring during recovery from the dauer stage in Heterorhabditis bacteriophora.

Nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis are insect parasites that are widely used as biological control agents. When conditions are unfavourable for reproduction in H. bacteriophora, a long-lived, non-feeding, survival and dispersal stage, the dauer juvenile (DJ), is formed. This DJ stage is also adapted for host finding and infection. When it infects a suitable host, the DJ recovers and resumes growth and development. We describe a series of methods for improved detection of recovery in H. bacteriophora. We also describe some of the physiological changes that occur immediately after the onset of recovery in these nematodes as revealed using fluorescent nucleic acid binding SYTO dyes. Although recovery could be monitored using morphological changes, we found that observation of the uptake of fluorescent latex microspheres by recovering nematodes was a far more sensitive and efficient means of detecting recovery. SYTO dyes were also found to be useful indicators of recovery, binding to the pharyngeal glands and genital primordia as little as 3 h after the onset of recovery. The use of SYTO dyes also indicated that the pharyngeal glands produce large quantities of RNA following the onset of recovery, implying that these structures may produce proteins important in the infection and/or feeding process of H. bacteriophora.

Animals↗

Automated sorting of live transgenic embryos.

The vast selection of Drosophila mutants is an extraordinary resource for exploring molecular events underlying development and disease. We have designed and constructed an instrument that automatically separates Drosophila embryos of one genotype from a larger population of embryos, based on a fluorescent protein marker. This instrument can also sort embryos from other species, such as Caenorhabditis elegans. The machine sorts 15 living Drosophila embryos per second with more than 99% accuracy. Sorting living embryos will solve longstanding problems, including (1) the need for large quantities of RNA from homozygous mutant embryos to use in DNA microarray or gene-chip experiments, (2) the need for large amounts of protein extract from homozygous mutant embryos for biochemical studies, for example to determine whether a multiprotein complex forms or localizes correctly in vivo when one component is missing, and (3) the need for rapid genetic screening for gene expression changes in living embryos using a fluorescent protein reporter.

Animals↗

Combined laser capture microdissection and serial analysis of gene expression from human tissue samples.

Cell-specific gene expression profiling from heterogeneous human tissues is confounded by cell purification limitations. Here, we describe a technique to generate gene expression profiles of pure populations of prostate cancer cells obtained from fresh-frozen prostatectomy specimens and small initial quantities of RNA by combining laser capture microdissection and microserial analysis of gene expression (LCM-microSAGE). Two microSAGE libraries were obtained from approximately 100,000 laser pulses, estimated to contain fewer than 3 x 10(5) cells and 20-30 ng mRNA. Two libraries were sequenced to a depth of 10,111 and 10,463 unique tags from normal and cancer cells, representing 6453 and 6923 genes, respectively. Most transcripts were expressed at similar levels, but cancer cells compared with normal cells had increased expression of 385 tags and decreased expression of 389 tags. A total of 20 genes were differentially expressed (P<0.05); five of these genes were upregulated and 15 were downregulated in cancer cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results from three selected genes corroborated the existence of cell-specific gene expression in LCM-microSAGE-derived libraries. In conclusion, the LCM-microSAGE approach demonstrates that large-scale expression profiles of known and unknown transcripts can be generated from pure populations of target cells obtained from human tissue samples comprised of heterogeneous mixtures of cell types.

Gene Expression Profiling↗

Renin-angiotensin blockade lowers MCP-1 expression in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular macrophage accumulation in diabetes implicates monocyte recruitment mechanisms in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To test the hypothesis that overexpression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a monocyte chemoattractant, is attenuated by renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition, we assessed expression of genes regulating monocyte transmigration in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. METHODS: Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semiquantitate mRNA expression in glomeruli harvested by sieving at serial intervals after the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin in Munich-Wistar rats. Although subject to limitations, competitive RT-PCR provides an objective measure suited to the minute quantities of RNA extractable from glomerular isolates. RESULTS: Time-dependent elevation of MCP-1 expression was dramatically suppressed by treatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril or the AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan, and was closely associated with effects on proteinuria and glomerular macrophage number. By contrast, no sustained suppression of the cell adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 or the classic MCP-1 stimulators tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1beta followed RAS inhibition, and suppression of transforming growth factor-beta1 expression was transient. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that glomerular macrophage recruitment in experimental diabetes is largely determined by angiotensin-stimulated MCP-1 expression. We conclude that the RAS is an important regulator of local MCP-1 expression, either directly or through glomerular hemodynamic effects, and that our data strongly implicate macrophage recruitment and activation in the pathogenesis of early diabetic glomerular injury.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Systemic expression of a bacterial gene by a tobacco mosaic virus-based vector.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) produces large quantities of RNA and protein on infection of plant cells. This and other features, attributable to its autonomous replication, make TMV an attractive candidate for expression of foreign sequences in plants. However, previous attempts to construct expression vectors based on plant RNA viruses, such as TMV, have been unsuccessful in obtaining systemic and stable movement of foreign genes to uninoculated leaves in whole plants. A hybrid viral RNA (TB2) was constructed, containing sequences from two tobamoviruses (TMV-U1 and odontoglossum ringspot virus). Two bacterial sequences inserted independently into TB2 moved systemically in Nicotiana benthamiana, although they differed in their stability on serial passage. Systemic expression of the bacterial protein neomycin phosphotransferase was demonstrated. Hybrid RNAs containing both TMV-U1 and the inserted bacterial gene sequences were encapsidated by the odontoglossum ringspot virus coat protein, facilitating their transmission and amplification on passaging to subsequent plants. The vector TB2 provides a rapid means of expressing genes and gene variants in plants.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular detection of measles virus in primary cell cultures of otosclerotic tissue.

CONCLUSION: Primary cell cultures were established from otosclerotic/otospongiotic footplate bone particles. Although this procedure is time-consuming, the quality and quantity of RNA isolated from these cells were much higher in comparison with the direct isolation of RNA from footplate bone samples and the preparation was more suitable for the detection of measles virus (MeV) RNA. OBJECTIVE: Morphological and biochemical investigations suggest that persistent MeV infection participates in the development of otosclerotic foci. However, this hypothesis is controversial because the detection of MeV in otosclerotic foci is inconsistent since the results are dependent on the presence and stage of foci in the investigated bone particles. Unfortunately, this cannot be confirmed before investigation. To study the presence of the MeV by different techniques in otosclerotic foci, stapes footplate fragments were collected during stapedectomy from patients suffering from clinical otosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MeV-specific RT-PCR was performed on total RNA isolated directly from four fresh frozen footplate bone fragments and from the cells of 16 primary cultures of otosclerotic tissue samples. In order to rescue persisting MeV, the primary footplate cells were cocultured with MeV permissive B95a cells. RESULTS: MeV was not detected in RNA from fresh frozen otosclerotic materials, but analysis of the RNA from 5 of the 16 primary cell cultures showed MeV-positive results. Nucleotide sequencing of a 317 bp MeV-specific RT-PCR fragment confirmed the presence of the MeV RNA genome. Here, we report the first determination of MeV sequences in total RNA isolated from primary cells cultured from otosclerotic tissue. Persisting MeV in primary footplate cells could not be recovered by coculturing with B95a cells.

Adult↗

Detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 gene expression in latently and productively infected mouse ganglia using the polymerase chain reaction.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV) sequences in the DNA, and HSV gene expression in total cell RNA, extracted from cervical and trigeminal ganglia of mice during productive and latent infection with HSV-1, strain SC16. Such gene expression was detected in 1 microgram or less of RNA, the quantity anticipated to be present in one or two cervical ganglia. Within the limits of the primers available, gene expression during latency appeared to be restricted to the latency-associated transcript (LAT). The 195 base portion of the LAT amplified by the PCR was sequenced and found to contain several base changes and deletions with respect to published sequences for different HSV strains. These mutations, within the putative open reading frame 2 of the LAT, formed stop or terminator signals, which suggests that the LAT does not act to establish or maintain latency through translation to a protein. The primers for the LAT also amplified a 300 bp fragment from any murine and some other mammalian RNAs. Apart from the oligonucleotide primers, this fragment did not show any homology with HSV.

Animals↗

Customized molecular phenotyping by quantitative gene expression and pattern recognition analysis.

Description of the molecular phenotypes of pathobiological processes in vivo is a pressing need in genomic biology. We have implemented a high-throughput real-time PCR strategy to establish quantitative expression profiles of a customized set of target genes. It enables rapid, reproducible data acquisition from limited quantities of RNA, permitting serial sampling of mouse blood during disease progression. We developed an easy to use statistical algorithm--Global Pattern Recognition--to readily identify genes whose expression has changed significantly from healthy baseline profiles. This approach provides unique molecular signatures for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and graft versus host disease, and can also be applied to defining the molecular phenotype of a variety of other normal and pathological processes.

Algorithms↗

In situ-synthesized novel microarray optimized for mouse stem cell and early developmental expression profiling.

Applications of microarray technologies to mouse embryology/genetics have been limited, due to the nonavailability of microarrays containing large numbers of embryonic genes and the gap between microgram quantities of RNA required by typical microarray methods and the miniscule amounts of tissue available to researchers. To overcome these problems, we have developed a microarray platform containing in situ-synthesized 60-mer oligonucleotide probes representing approximately 22,000 unique mouse transcripts, assembled primarily from sequences of stem cell and embryo cDNA libraries. We have optimized RNA labeling protocols and experimental designs to use as little as 2 ng total RNA reliably and reproducibly. At least 98% of the probes contained in the microarray correspond to clones in our publicly available collections, making cDNAs readily available for further experimentation on genes of interest. These characteristics, combined with the ability to profile very small samples, make this system a resource for stem cell and embryogenomics research.

Animals↗

Nerve growth factor treatment of sensory neuron primary cultures causes elevated levels of the mRNA encoding the ATP synthase beta-subunit as detected by a novel PCR-based differential cloning method.

The mRNA encoding the rat ATP synthase beta-subunit was rapidly induced by nerve growth factor, within 60 min, in cultured adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. ATP synthase beta-subunit cDNA clones were isolated from a lambda library. The library was constructed using rat dorsal root ganglion mRNA that was differentially screened with cDNA-derived probes from untreated and nerve-growth-factor-treated primary cultures of adult rat dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. Radiolabelled probes were made from submicrogram quantities of RNA, by a novel PCR-based technique, which allows small amounts of primary tissue to be used for library screening. The use of this technique in isolating novel differentially expressed mRNAs is discussed.

Animals↗