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Cell-type-specific response to silicon treatment in soybean leaves revealed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing and targeted gene editing.

Mineral nutrient uptake and deposition profoundly influence plant development, stress resilience, and productivity. Silicon (Si), though classified as a non-essential element, significantly influences a plant's physiology, particularly in fortifying defense responses and mitigating stress. While the genetic and molecular mechanisms of Si uptake and transport are well studied in monocots, particularly rice, their role in dicot species, such as soybean, remains unclear at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, we utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to dissect cellular responses to Si accumulation in soybean leaves. We identified distinct cellular populations, including a unique Si-induced or Si-associated cell cluster within vascular cells, suggesting a specialized mechanism of Si distribution. Si treatment notably induced the expression of defense-related genes, with a pronounced enrichment in vascular cells, underscoring their pivotal role in activating plant defense mechanisms. Moreover, Si modulated the expression of genes involved in phytoalexin biosynthesis, salicylic acid, and immune receptor signaling, suggesting transcriptional priming of genes involved in defense responses. Further investigation of Si transporters revealed precise expression of an Si efflux gene in epidermal cells in response to Si treatment. We also validated the role of efflux Si transporters using a Xenopus oocyte assay and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of composite soybean plant roots. This study provides critical insights into the biotic stress regulatory networks influenced by Si treatment in soybean leaves at the single-cell level, thus laying the foundation for enhancing stress tolerance through optimized mineral nutrient uptake.

Glycine max

Efficient splicing of two yeast mitochondrial introns controlled by a nuclear-encoded maturase.

bI4 maturase encoded by the fourth intron of the yeast mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, controls the splicing of both the fourth intron of the cytochrome b gene and the fourth intron of the gene encoding subunit I of cytochrome oxidase. It has been shown previously that a cytoplasmically translated hybrid protein composed of the pre-sequence of subunit 9 of Neurospora ATPase fused to a part of the bI4 maturase can be guided to mitochondria where it could compensate maturase deficiencies. This in vivo complementation of maturase mutants can be easily estimated by restoration of respiration. This work examines the efficiency of different bI4 maturase constructions to restore respiration in different yeast maturase-deficient strains. It is shown that the N-terminal end of the bI4 maturase plays a crucial role in the maturase activity. Moreover, the 12 N-terminal amino acids of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein constitute the most efficient mitochondrial targeting sequence in this system. Surprisingly enough, it was found that the cytoplasmically translated bI4 maturase containing the 254 C-terminal amino acid coded by the intron open reading frame can complement maturase mutations without any added mitochondrial-targeting sequence.

Base Sequence

Bacterial expression, characterization and DNA binding studies on Drosophila melanogaster c-Myb DNA-binding protein.

The Drosophila Myb homologue retains an evolutionarily conserved typical sequence of three imperfect tandem tryptophan repeat units (R1-R2-R3) of 51-53 amino acids towards its N-terminus as its presumptive DNA binding domain. Using PCR amplification and the T7 expression vector pET 11d, we have overproduced this tryptophan repeat domain of Drosophila Myb in Escherichia coli and the protein has been purified. Circular dichroic measurements indicate that the protein has a high helical component (58.6%) in its overall structure. The protein is found to recognize the same cognate target sequence TAACGG, as recognized by the vertebrate proteins. The DNA binding properties of the protein have been investigated in detail by fluorescence spectroscopy taking advantage of the large number of tryptophan residues present in the protein. The fluorescence of the native Drosophila R123 was quenched when synthetic duplex DNA oligomers were added to the protein. The oligomers containing specific Myb target sites quenched the protein fluorescence to a greater extent than the non-specific DNA. Binding constants of the protein to the targets were also length dependent for smaller oligomers. Experiments with the collisional quencher acrylamide and cysteine modification reagent indicated that the specific and non-specific target sequences interact with the protein differently. In the former case both the buried and the exposed tryptophan residues were affected by DNA binding whereas in the latter only the solvent-exposed residues were involved.

Animals

Mutational specificity of oxidative DNA damage.

In this paper we describe our studies on the mutagenic consequences of oxidative DNA damage introduced by radiation-induced OH radicals (.OH) and by exposure to singlet oxygen (1O2), released by thermo-dissociation of the endoperoxide 3,3'-(1,4-naphthalidene) dipropionate (NDPO2). We have made use of M13mp10 bacteriophage and pUC18 plasmid DNA, containing a 144 base pair (bp) insert in the lacZ alpha gene. This 144 bp insert was used as a mutational target sequence. When dilute aqueous solutions of double-stranded (ds) M13mp10 (plus 144 bp insert) were gamma-irradiated in the presence of oxygen (O2; 100% .OH) or nitrous oxide (N2O; 90% .OH, 10% .H), very specific mutation spectra were found. Mainly bp substitutions were observed, of which C/G to G/C transversions are the predominant type. Moreover, the mutations are for the most part concentrated into two mutational hot spots: a minor and major one. Differences between the oxic (O2) and anoxic (N2O) mutation spectra could also be observed. Under N2O-1 bp deletions were detected, which are absent in the presence of O2, and in the anoxic spectrum more C/G to A/T transversions are present. To investigate whether these differences were due to the small amount of H radicals, which are formed under N2O, ds M13mp10 (plus 144 bp insert) was exposed to gamma-rays in phosphate buffer under nitrogen (55% .H, 45% .OH). Under these conditions a remarkable shift was observed from C/G-->G/C to C/G-->A/T transversions, while the mutations were far more scattered along the 144 bp sequence and no -1 bp deletions were detected. These results strongly suggest that H radicals do not cause -1 bp deletions, but may be responsible for the observed C/G to A/T transversions. The kind of bp substitution not only appeared to be dependent on the type of the water radicals, but also appeared to be strongly influenced by the replicon in which the target sequence is incorporated. When an oxygenated solution of pUC18 plasmid DNA (plus 144 bp insert) is irradiated, mainly C/G to A/T transversions were found at the same major hot spot instead of C/G to G/C transversions when the 144 bp sequence is part of M13mp10 DNA. Finally, in agreement with the observation that 1O2 reacts preferentially with guanine in DNA, a guanine is involved in most of the mutations scored after exposure of single-stranded (ss) M13mp10 DNA to NDPO2-generated 1O2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Base Sequence

In vitro selection of antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a hairpin structure.

Antisense oligonucleotides are widely used to selectively prevent pre-RNA splicing, mRNA translation or cDNA synthesis from a retroviral RNA template. However, intramolecular folding of the RNA chain can sequester the target sequence into a stable structure. Consequently, the antisense effect can be greatly reduced or even abolished. Hydrogen donor and acceptor sites are still available on nucleic acid bases involved in secondary structures. However, the rational design of antisense sequences able to recognize the three dimensional array of these sites is not available. We used an in vitro selection procedure to fish out aptastrucs, i.e., oligomers able ("apte") to bind to a structure. A population of randomly synthesized oligonucleotides was mixed with the structure of interest and oligodeoxynucleotide sequences bound to the target were selected and amplified. The selection involves the destruction of the unbound candidates by a restriction enzyme. This procedure can be used both for RNA and DNA target structures and does not require the purification of the bound oligonucleotides at each cycle of selection. Several cycles of selection-amplification, followed by cloning and sequencing, allowed us to identify three oligonucleotides able to form a complex with a DNA hairpin. Due to the sequence of the selected candidates, these aptastruc-hairpin complexes involve very likely non-canonical interactions between the two partners.

DNA

A method for difference cloning: gene amplification following subtractive hybridization.

We describe a procedure for genomic difference cloning, a method for isolating sequences present in one genomic DNA population ("tester") that is absent in another ("driver"). By subtractive hybridization, a large excess of driver is used to remove sequences common to a biotinylated tester, enriching the "target" sequences that are unique to the tester. After repeated subtractive hybridization cycles, tester is separated from driver by avidin/biotin affinity chromatography, and single-stranded target is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, rendering it double-stranded and clonable. We model two situations: the gain of sequences that result from infection with a pathogen and the loss of sequences that result from a large hemizygous deletion. We obtain 100- to 700-fold enrichment of target sequences.

Bacteriophage lambda

Both immunoglobulin promoter and enhancer sequences are targets for suppression in myeloma-fibroblast hybrid cells.

When immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing B cells are fused with fibroblastic cells, expression of Igs is suppressed by a mechanism that selectively abolishes transcription of Ig genes. The suppression is also maintained in proliferating hybrids. We have used gene transfer followed by cell fusion to study this phenomenon further. Here we report that expression of a rearranged Ig heavy chain gene, stably integrated into a myeloma genome, is completely suppressed upon fusion with fibroblasts by a mechanism that is equally active on the endogenous myeloma lambda light chain gene. To define regulatory sequences within the Ig transcriptional unit that are involved in this down-regulation, we examined the transcriptional contributions of the IgH chain gene enhancer and the kappa light chain gene promoter individually by linking them to a heterologous reporter gene. Mouse myeloma cells were stably transformed with such test constructs and subsequently fused with mouse fibroblasts. To avoid any significant loss of chromosomes, hybrid cells were isolated shortly after fusion by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and proliferating hybrids were harvested within 2-3 weeks. On the basis of RNase protection mapping of cytoplasmic RNA, and of nuclear run-on assays we showed that both the kappa light chain promoter and the IgH chain enhancer contain regulatory information that is made redundant or is suppressed in the hybrid environment.

Animals

KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations do not predict outcomes in pediatric core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: findings from the C-HUANAN-AML-15 multicenter cohort study.

Although core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) is generally considered a favorable-risk subtype in children, disease relapse remains a significant concern. The prognostic relevance of co-occurring mutations, particularly KIT and FLT3-ITD, remains debatable, and treatment intensity may modulate their impact. This multicenter analysis included 289 children (<&#x2009;14 years) with newly diagnosed CBF-AML enrolled in the C-HUANAN-AML-15 study (2015-2023). KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations were identified via cytogenetic analysis and targeted sequencing. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following induction chemotherapy. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. This multicenter analysis included 289 children (<&#x2009;14 years) with newly diagnosed CBF-AML enrolled in the C-HUANAN-AML-15 study (2015-2023). KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations were identified via cytogenetic analysis and targeted sequencing. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following induction chemotherapy. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. KIT mutations were detected in 103 patients (35.6%), predominantly involving exon 17 (69.9%), and were associated with extramedullary disease, sex chromosome loss, and trisomy 22. No significant differences in 5-year event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), or cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were observed between patients with and without KIT mutations. FLT3-ITD mutations (5.5% of patients) did not adversely affect outcomes. Neither mutation independently predicted survival. MRD positivity (MFC-MRD&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;0.1%) after the second induction cycle strongly predicted inferior EFS and OS and higher CIR, with corresponding results observed for molecular MRD and parallel findings for PCR-based MRD. In this large multicenter cohort, KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations did not adversely affect the prognosis of pediatric CBF-AML treated according to the C-HUANAN-AML-15 protocol. MRD after induction was the most powerful predictor of relapse and survival, underscoring its importance for risk stratification in future pediatric AML trials.

Humans

C/G to A/T transversions represent the main type of mutation induced by gamma-irradiation in double-stranded M13mp10 DNA in a nitrogen-saturated solution.

To get more insight into the possible mutagenic consequences of DNA damage induced by radiation-generated H radicals (.H), a nitrogen-saturated solution of double-stranded (ds) M13mp10 DNA in phosphate buffer was irradiated with gamma-rays. Under these conditions 55% of the DNA-damaging species consists of H radicals and 45% of OH radicals (.OH). The mutations were investigated in a 144-bp mutational target sequence inserted into the lacZ alpha gene. A very specific mutation spectrum was obtained with respect to the type of mutations. Twenty out of the 28 radiation-induced mutations were C/G to A/T transversions; the remaining 8 mutations were 4 C/G to G/C transversions, 2 C/G to T/A transitions, one T/A to A/T transversion and only one -1 bp deletion. The mutations were rather randomly distributed along the 144-bp mutation target sequence with no clear mutational hot spots. When these results are compared with those we have obtained previously after irradiation of ds M13mp10 DNA under O2 (100% .OH) or N2O (90% .OH; 10% .H) (Hoebee et al., 1988, 1989), the data strongly suggest that H radicals may be responsible for the observed C/G to A/T transversions but not for -1 bp deletions.

Bacteriophage M13

Molecular assembly of tobacco mosaic virus in vitro.

TMV assembly starts with a specific interaction between the assembly origin on the RNA and a disk aggregate of coat protein. The assembly origin is located in the 30K protein cistron for common and tomato strains of TMV and in the coat protein cistron for cowpea strain of TMV and for CGMMV. All the assembly origins have three essential structures: a long base-paired hairpin loop structure; a target sequence, GAPuGUUG, at the top of the hairpin loop structure; and a tract where every third base is a purine. The protein aggregate responsible for the initiation of TMV assembly is a 20S disk, a two-layered aggregate of 34 protein subunits. The two layers of a disk open apart onto the central hole and this structure may be critical for the disk to interact with the assembly origin on the RNA. The target sequence may bind specifically to this structure. Although only a low concentration of 20S disks exists in the usual assembly condition, one disk is enough to initiate TMV assembly. TMV elongation proceeds in two directions. Elongation to the 5'-end proceeds rapidly by preferential incorporation of protein subunits (or A protein) and in 5-7 min gives rise to 260 nm intermediate particles whose 5'-end is coated. A model of elongation toward the 5'-end is shown in Fig. 15. Protected RNAs from nuclease digestion during the assembly reaction produce a banding pattern on gels by electrophoresis. The banding pattern reflects features of the RNA rather than protein that are used in the assembly reaction, since the pattern was the same for assembly between TMV-RNA and CGMMV protein subunits as for assembly between TMV-RNA and TMV protein containing 20S aggregates. The 20S aggregate in the assembly solution has a helical structure with 39 protein subunits rather than the disk structure. Rapid addition of 20S helical aggregates to the top of the growing rod seems to be impossible because of its topological complexity. Elongation toward the 3'-end does not start for at least the first 4 min after initiation. It probably cannot begin until the 5'-end RNA tail disappears into the intermediate rod. Elongation toward the 3'-end favors 20S aggregates as the protein source and gives rise to the full-length rods in about 30 min after the initiation. There are no topological difficulties in adding 20S helical aggregates to the protruding RNA tail.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Genes, Viral

Regulation of HIV-1 gene expression.

The quantity and quality of HIV-1 gene expression is temporally controlled by a cascade of sequential regulatory interactions. Basal HIV-1 transcription is determined by interaction of cellular regulatory proteins with specific DNA target sequences within the HIV-1 long-terminal repeat. The most notable of these protein:DNA interactions involves NF-kappa B, a transcription factor that plays a pivotal role in the activation of genes important for cellular responses to infection and inflammation. A second level of control involves the virally encoded Tat trans-activator. Tat, in combination with as yet unidentified cellular proteins, activates HIV-1 gene expression through a specific interaction with the viral TAR RNA stem-loop target sequence. A final level of regulation is mediated by the viral Rev protein. Rev acts posttranscriptionally to induce the expression of HIV-1 structural proteins and thereby commits HIV-1 to the late, cytopathic phase of the viral replication cycle. Rev activity appears to require a critical, threshold level of Rev protein expression, thus preventing entry into this late phase in cells that are unable to support efficient HIV-1 gene expression. In total, this cascade of regulatory levels allows the HIV-1 provirus to respond appropriately to the intracellular milieu present in each infected cell. In activated cells, the combination of Tat and Rev can stimulate a very high level of viral gene expression and replication. In quiescent or resting cells, in contrast, these same regulatory proteins are predicted to maintain the HIV-1 provirus in a latent or nonproductive state.

Avian Leukosis Virus

Genomic hallmarks of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-associated meningiomas.

BACKGROUND: Population-based studies have linked progestin exposure to increased meningioma risk. However, the molecular basis of meningiomas associated with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)-a common injectable contraceptive-remains undefined. METHODS: We performed an integrated clinicopathologic and genomic analysis of meningiomas from 10 women with long-term DMPA exposure. Tumors underwent histopathological analysis, targeted sequencing, and DNA methylation profiling. Data were integrated with reference cohorts (Baylor and Heidelberg) and analyzed through classifier assignment, consensus clustering, copy number analysis, differential methylation testing, and dimensionality reduction. RESULTS: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-associated meningiomas were all newly diagnosed, World Health Organization grade 1 tumors with a predilection for the anterior and central skull base (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;6). Nine patients harbored multiple meningiomas. Four experienced regression of untreated meningiomas following DMPA cessation, while 5 demonstrated stabilization. Histopathology demonstrated relative overrepresentation of metaplastic morphology, an uncommon meningioma subtype. All DMPA-associated meningiomas mapped to benign molecular groups, and most exhibited low copy number alteration burden. Targeted sequencing revealed enrichment for TRAF7 mutations (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;5), with no NF2 mutations detected. Eight tumors shared consensus cluster identity, with cohesive grouping on principal component analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. No differential methylation was identified at the progesterone receptor locus. CONCLUSIONS: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-associated meningiomas represent a recognizable phenotype within the broader NF2-wildtype/TRAF7-enriched spectrum of benign meningiomas, characterized by chromosomal stability, a shared methylation profile, tumor multiplicity, and regression or stabilization following DMPA cessation. While derived from a small single-institution cohort, these findings provide a molecular framework for understanding progestin-associated meningioma biology, reinterpreting epidemiologic literature, and informing population-level risk stratification.

Humans

Targeted Gene Sequencing in a Male Adult Diagnosed With X-Linked Osteoporosis Due to a Novel p.(Arg398Profs*2) PLS3 Variant.

Pathogenic loss-of-function variants in the plastin-3 gene (PLS3), encoding plastin-3 protein, are associated with early-onset X-linked osteoporosis. We present the case of a young adult male patient, with a history of multiple fragility fractures and blue sclerae, who was clinically diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type 1 in childhood. He has been managed with intravenous bisphosphonate therapy, leading to an increase in bone density at the spine, stable bone density at the femoral neck, and a period free of fractures while on antiresorptive therapy. Two decades later, with a focus on reproductive family planning, a novel PLS3 variant was identified on genetic testing. This case report highlights an important role for genetic testing in patients with early-onset osteoporosis or a clinical diagnosis of OI. With the emergence of new targeted therapeutics and advanced reproductive options, such as preimplantation genetic testing, obtaining an accurate molecular diagnosis is key.

PLS3

Restriction and modification in Bacillus subtilis: two DNA methyltransferases with BsuRI specificity. II. Catalytic properties, substrate specificity, and mode of action.

The properties of two DNA methyltransferases, termed M. BsuRIa and M. BsuRIb, whose isolation was described in the preceding paper (Günthert, U., Freund, M., and Trautner, T. A. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 9340-9345) were compared. Both enzymes recognize the same target sequence in double-stranded DNA, leading to methylation of the internal cytosine: 5'GGCC. The enzymes have identical reaction constants with their substrates, DNA (km = 2.7 nM for the 5' GGCC sequence), and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (km = 0.7 microM). Initial rates of methyl group transfer were proportional to enzyme concentration over a range of 50-fold, indicating absence of aggregation. The enzymes are different in their ionic strength requirements using Tris-HCl, pH 8.4. M. BsuRIa is most active at 100 mM, M. BsuRIb at 440 mM. As measured by incorporation kinetics and heat inactivation, M. BsuRIa is the more stable enzyme of the two. Equilibrium dialysis was used to study the mode of methyl group transfer to the DNA with either enzyme. The data indicate that initially S-adenosyl-L-methionine binds to methyltransferase. This complex attaches to either modified or nonmodified DNA. The methyl group will then be transferred to a nonmodified target sequence, leading to the dissociation of enzyme and S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine from the DNA.

Bacillus subtilis

Can hammerhead ribozymes be efficient tools to inactivate gene function?

In order to improve hammerhead ribozyme efficiency and specificity, we have analyzed, both in vitro and in vivo, the activity of a series of ribozyme/substrate combinations that have the same target sequence but differ in the length of the ribozyme/substrate duplex or in their structure, i.e., the total length of the RNA. In vitro, we have found that optimal kcat/Km (at 37 degrees C) is obtained when the ribozyme/substrate duplex has a length of 12 bases, which according to the base composition represents a calculated free energy of binding of -16 kcal/mol. We discuss the importance of this value for ribozyme specificity and present strategies that may improve it. Increasing the length of the duplex from 14 to 17 bases (from -19 to -26 kcal/mol) produces a reduced ribozyme activity which is probably due to a slower rate of product dissociation. In addition, inclusion of either the substrate or the ribozyme in a long transcript produces a reduction (10 fold) of the kcat/Km, probably because of a different accessibility of the target sequence. In vivo, the activity of the trans-acting ribozyme was extremely low and detected in only one case: with a ribozyme/substrate duplex length of 13 bases and with both ribozyme and substrate embedded in short RNAs expressed at a very high level. The similarity of the results obtained in vitro and in vivo indicates that it is possible to use an in vitro system to optimize ribozymes which are to be used in vivo. Satisfactory results were obtained in vivo only with cisacting ribozymes. Altogether these results suggest that the ribozyme/substrate hybridization step is the limiting step in vivo and therefore it is not clear if ribozymes represent an improvement over antisense RNAs.

Base Sequence

Epigenetic regulation of the maize Spm transposon.

Expression and transposition of the Suppressor-mutator (Spm) transposon of maize are controlled by interacting epigenetic and autoregulatory mechanisms. Methylation of critical element sequences prevents both transcription and transposition, heritably inactivating the element. The promoter, comprising the terminal 0.2 kb of the element, and a 0.35-kb, highly GC-rich, downstream sequence are the methylation target sequences. The element encodes two proteins necessary for transposition, TnpA and TnpD. There are multiple TnpA binding sites, both in the 5' terminal promoter region and at the element's 3' end. In addition to its role in transposition, TnpA is both a positive and a negative regulator of transcription. TnpA represses the element's promoter when it is not methylated. When the element is inactive and its promoter methylated, TnpA activates the methylated promoter and facilitates both its transient and heritable demethylation.

Base Sequence

Coordinate action of a proximal homeoprotein binding site and a distal sequence confers the Ultrabithorax expression pattern in the visceral mesoderm.

Spatially regulated expression of the homeotic gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) in the visceral mesoderm can be mimicked in transformed Drosophila embryos by expression of a Ubx--beta-galactosidase fusion gene. Here we show that a proximal homeoprotien binding sequence downstream of the Ubx transcription start site, the B element, is required for this pattern. A distal upstream Ubx sequence, but not the B element, is sufficient to confer the pattern if linked to an hsp70 TATA box in a heterologous construct. The pattern in this case requires Ubx function, like endogenous Ubx expression in the visceral mesoderm, suggesting that the distal upstream sequence contains an important target sequence for autoregulation. We propose that the B element, in the context of the Ubx promoter, functions to mediate enhancer function of the distal sequence. Thus, the visceral mesoderm pattern requires coordinate action of a proximal and a distal regulatory element.

Animals

Electrochemically active DNA probes: detection of target DNA sequences at femtomole level by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Electrochemically active DNA probes were prepared by linking a ferrocene unit with 5'-aminohexyl-terminated oligonucleotides. The DNA sequences of probes 5a, 5b, and 5c were 5'-T12-3', 5'-T20-3', and 5'-TGCAG TTCCG GTGGC TGATC-3', respectively. Probe 5a could form a complex selectively with a single-strand poly(A) and a double-strand DNA fragment containing an A13 sequence and these complexes could be detected at femtomole levels by an electrochemical detector (ECD) on HPLC. The observed ECD response was proportional to the amount of the complex over the range 20-100 fmol. Probe 5c was capable of detecting femtomole levels of a restriction DNA fragment having oncogene v-myc. Moreover, probe 5b was able to detect picogram levels of mRNA taken from rat brain or yeast total cellular RNA. This proves that the electrochemically active DNA probes are useful in analyzing traces of DNA and RNA carrying the complementary sequence.

Base Sequence