DNA胞嘧啶的甲基化与去甲基化进展

DNA胞嘧啶甲基化调控基因的表达以及多种生物功能,如细胞分化。概念上,DNA去甲基化是将已甲基化DNA核苷转化为未修饰核苷,是DNA甲基化的逆向过程。但在生物体内,这是一个涉及多步反应的非常复杂的过程。本综述简要介绍了动植物中DNA胞嘧啶的甲基化与去甲基化的研究现状,并讨论了恶性肿瘤(癌症)、阿尔茨海默氏病、心血管疾病、肺纤维病变和进食障碍等多种疾病中的甲基化与去甲基化异常。     

DNA羟甲基化测序技术

5-羟甲基胞嘧啶(5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5hmC)是继5-甲基胞嘧啶(5-methylcytosine, 5mC)之后发现的第六种碱基, 已在多种哺乳动物组织和细胞中检出. 与5mC相比, 5hmC的含量更低, 但5hmC也具有非常重要的生物学功能. 已有的研究表明, 5hmC参与了染色体重新编程、基因表达的转录调控, 并在DNA去甲基化过程中发挥重要作用. 另外, 5hmC可能与特定肿瘤的发生密切相关, 有可能成为肿瘤早期诊断的生物标志物. 因此, 发展可靠、灵敏和准确的5hmC检测技术至关重要. 本综述针对DNA羟甲基化的检测及测序技术进行了简要介绍.     

白菜DNA甲基化水平的反相离子对高效液相色谱法研究

建立了反相离子对液相色谱测定白菜的DNA甲基化水平的方法。采用的色谱柱为HypersilBDSC18柱(200mm×4.0mm,5μm),以pH4.0的甲醇-5mmol·L-1庚烷磺酸钠-三乙胺(10:90:0.2,体积比)的混合液为流动相,UV检测器波长为273nm。通过测定DNA水样所产生的胞嘧啶和甲基胞嘧啶的含量,即可得知DNA甲基化程度。胞嘧啶和甲基胞嘧啶回收率分别为99.6%及103.3%,RSD为3.7%(日内)及5.2%(日间)。     

溴代胞嘧啶分子内三螺旋DNA的理论研究

运用分子力学方法研究了 3个含溴代胞嘧啶的分子内三螺旋及相应的未溴代分子内三螺旋DNA .理论结果表明 :当分子内三螺旋Hoogsteen嘧啶链的胞嘧啶被溴代胞嘧啶取代后其稳定性最强 ;而当分子内三螺旋 2条嘧啶链的胞嘧啶同时被溴代后 ,其稳定性最差 .从分子力学计算得到 ,4种分子内三螺旋的碱基以C3′ endo糖环构象为主 .在三螺旋YTCY( 2条嘧啶链中的胞嘧啶均被溴代胞嘧啶取代 )中 ,也含有一定数量的C2′ endo糖环构象 .因此 ,分子内三螺旋YTCY是A DNA和B DNA的综合体 ,而其他 3种三螺旋则是典型的A DNA .     

DNA中醛基嘧啶的化学检测

基因组DNA除A、G、T、C四大经典碱基外,还存在上百种稀有碱基。其中,醛基嘧啶(5-醛基胞嘧啶和5-醛基尿嘧啶)是DNA中天然存在的嘧啶类修饰碱基,在哺乳动物细胞中广泛分布。5-醛基胞嘧啶除参与DNA主动去甲基化过程外,还具备独立的表观遗传功能;而5-醛基尿嘧啶通常被认为是一种基因毒性很高的DNA氧化损伤。根据醛基嘧啶的特征结构,有针对性地开发准确、灵敏和简便的检测方法,从全基因组范围内对他们进行定性、定量和区域定位,是进一步明确这类碱基修饰物调控机制的基础和前提。本文从选择性化学标记的角度总结了近年来醛基嘧啶检测方法的研究进展。     

老鼠Tet1蛋白能氧化单链脱氧核糖核酸上的5-甲基胞嘧啶到5-羟甲基胞嘧啶和5-羧基胞嘧啶(英文)

5-甲基胞嘧啶在哺乳动物细胞中具有广泛的作用.而它被双脱氧家族Tet蛋白氧化所得的产物5-羟甲基胞嘧啶、5-醛基胞嘧啶和5-羧基胞嘧啶也被证明在细胞发育和5-甲基胞嘧啶动态平衡调控中具有关键的作用.已有的研究结果表明,Tet蛋白能够识别双链DNA上的5-甲基胞嘧啶,并将其氧化成5-羟甲基胞嘧啶、5-醛基胞嘧啶和5-羧基胞嘧啶.我们通过质谱仪检测发现,老鼠Tet1蛋白的DNA结合结构域还能识别和氧化单链DNA上的5-甲基胞嘧啶.这一发现暗示我们,Tet蛋白家族不但具有已经发现的氧化双链DNA上5-甲基胞嘧啶的功能,还有可能作用于DNA的复制及转录,甚至具有氧化单链RNA上对应的甲基修饰碱基的能力.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定生物组织全基因组DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平

测定全基因组DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平对于研究环境污染物暴露的影响及致病机理具有重要的作用。本文建立了液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）同时测定动物组织中全基因组DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平的方法。从动物组织样品中提取DNA,并将其酶解成单核苷,利用液相色谱-串联质谱法测定5-甲基胞嘧啶核苷、5-羟甲基胞嘧啶核苷和鸟嘌呤核苷的含量,计算全基因组DNA甲基化率和羟甲基化率。利用该方法研究了砷暴露对大鼠肝脏和小脑全基因组DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平的影响,得到了砷影响DNA甲基化及羟甲基化的初步数据。该方法具有良好的重现性、灵敏度和稳定性,可以同时检测差异较大的DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平。为同时研究DNA甲基化和羟甲基化水平提供了有力的支持。     

DNA甲基化-非甲基化碱基间堆积作用的理论研究

运用二级Mфller-Plesset(MP2)理论方法和cc-pVDZ基组优化了6-甲基鸟嘌呤(O6-MethylG),4-甲基胸腺嘧啶(O4-MethylT)以及5-甲基胞嘧啶(C5-MethylC)与DNA碱基鸟嘌呤(G),腺嘌呤(A),胞嘧啶(C),胸腺嘧啶(T)之间的堆积构型.在MP2/aug-cc-pVXZ//MP2/cc-pVDZ(X=D,T)水平上,采用完全基组外推方法校正了堆积碱基对间的相互作用能,并用完全均衡校正法(CP)校正了基组重叠误差(BSSE).MP2计算结果表明,DNA碱基甲基化使得嘧啶-嘧啶、嘧啶-嘌呤堆积碱基间的平行旋转角发生明显改变,并使堆积碱基间的相互作用能增大.在MP2/cc-pVDZ计算级别上得到了各堆积碱基对的全电子波函数,并用分子中的原子理论(AIM)分析了堆积碱基对间的弱相互作用.AIM分析结果显示,甲基化增强了堆积碱基间的π-π作用,且甲基氢与相邻碱基间形成H2CH…X(X=O,N,CH3,NH2)等类型的氢键.甲基化损伤使碱基间重叠程度增大、π-π作用增强以及堆积碱基间形成多个氢键,是堆积作用能增加的主要原因.     

液相色谱-串联质谱分析组织中基因组脱氧核糖核酸羟甲基胞嘧啶水平

5-羟甲基胞嘧啶通过阻止脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)甲基化转移酶1(DMNT1)甲基化胞嘧啶来影响DNA甲基化的程度。本文建立了液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)测定组织中全基因组5-羟甲基胞嘧啶水平的方法。采用苯酚-氯仿提取组织DNA,提取的DNA用88%甲酸在140 ℃下裂解,DNA裂解液加入同位素胞嘧啶作内标,经N2吹干后,加乙腈-水(9:1, v/v)溶解,用LC-MS/MS检测5-羟甲基胞嘧啶的含量,并计算全基因组中5-羟甲基胞嘧啶的水平。结果表明,5-羟甲基胞嘧啶的线性范围为0.1～30 ng/mL,相关系数为0.9969,检出限(信噪比为3计)和定量限(信噪比为10计)分别为0.057 ng/mL和0.090 ng/mL;日内相对标准偏差和日间相对标准偏差分别为5.13%和6.24%;加标回收率为90.24%～97.53%。用该方法检测了大鼠大脑组织DNA羟甲基化水平,平均结果为0.66%。该方法简便,重现性好,灵敏度较高,能满足全基因组5-羟甲基胞嘧啶定量检测的要求。     

以锌原卟啉为功能单体的分子印迹聚合物对胞嘧啶的识别作用

以锌原卟啉(ZnPP)为功能单体,甲基丙烯酸为共功能单体合成了生物碱基———胞嘧啶的分子印迹聚合物.通过静态吸附紫外检测的方法,对印迹和非印迹聚合物与胞嘧啶及腺嘌呤、尿嘧啶、胸腺嘧啶的结合特性分别进行了对比,分子印迹聚合物(MIP)与非分子印迹聚合物(NMIP)对胞嘧啶的吸附率差值为20.8%,远远高于其他三种碱基,说明MIP对胞嘧啶具有分子识别能力,实现了对胞嘧啶的分子识别.     

Label‐free Electrochemiluminescent Enantioselective Sensor for Distinguishing between Chiral Metallosupramolecular Complexes

Chiral molecular recognition of DNA is important for rational drug design and for developing structural probes of DNA conformation. Developing a convenient and inexpensive assay for sensitive and selective identification of DNA‐specific binding compounds with rapid, easy manipulation is in ever‐increasing demand. Here, we present a “turn‐on” and label‐free electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor for distinguishing chiral metallosupramolecular complexes based on DNA three‐way junction formation selectively induced by the analyte. The fabricated ECL sensor shows excellent performance in the chiral discrimination of two enantiomers with an enantioselective recognition ratio of up to 4.4. More importantly, as a “turn‐on” detection system, the ECL chiral sensor does not suffer from false positives and limited signal range of “signal‐off” systems. Therefore, this concept may provide a new insight into the design of efficient sensors for distinguishing chiral molecules and for investigating the interactions between DNA and small molecules.     

An optical DNA-based biosensor for the analysis of bioactive constituents with application in drug and herbal drug screening

The efficient and rapid detection of bioactive compounds in complex matrices of different origins (natural or synthetic) is a key step in the discovery of molecules with potential application in therapy. Among them, molecules able to interact with nucleic acids can represent important targets.In this study, an optical DNA biosensor, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transduction, has been studied in its potential application as new analytical device for drug screening. This device was applied to the analysis of pure synthetic or natural molecules and also to some fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of an extract of Chelidonium majus L. (great celandine), a plant containing benzo[c]phenanthridinium alkaloids having intercalating properties.The ability of these molecules to interact with the double stranded nucleic acid (dsDNA) immobilised on the sensor surface has been investigated. The optical sensing relies on the SPR-based bench instrument Biacore X™ and represents an example of multiuse sensor. The results obtained demonstrate the potential application of this device for the rapid screening of bioeffective compounds. The characteristics of the biosensor offer the possibility to be coupled to chemical analysis as in hyphenated technologies.     

Biosensor-based on-site explosives detection using aptamers as recognition elements

Reliable observation, detection and characterisation of polluted soil are of major concern in regions with military activities in order to prepare efficient decontamination. Flexible on-site analysis may be facilitated by biosensor devices. With use of fibre-optic evanescent field techniques, it has been shown that immunoaffinity reactions can be used to determine explosives sensitively. Besides antibodies as molecular recognition elements, high-affinity nucleic acids (aptamers) can be employed. Aptamers are synthetically generated and highly efficient binding molecules that can be derived for any ligand, including small organic molecules like drugs, explosives or derivatives thereof. In this paper we describe the development of specific aptamers detecting the explosives molecule TNT. The aptamers are used as a sensitive capture molecule in a fibre-optic biosensor. In addition, through the biosensor measurements the aptamers could be characterised. The advantages of the aptamer biosensor include its robustness, its ability to discriminate between different explosives molecules while being insensitive to other chemical entities in natural soil and its potential to be incorporated into a portable device. Results can be obtained within minutes. The measurement is equally useful for soil that has been contaminated for a long time and for urgent hazardous spills.     

Covalent attachment of functionalized cardiolipin on a biosensor gold surface allows repetitive measurements of anticardiolipin antibodies in serum

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a relevant serological indicator of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). A solid-state surface with covalently bound ω-amine-functionalized cardiolipin was established and the binding of β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) was investigated either by use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, by electrically switchable DNA interfaces (switchSENSE) and by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). STM could clearly visualize the attachment of β2-GPI to the cardiolipin surface. Using the switchSENSE sensor, β2-GPI as specific ligand could be identified by increased hydrodynamic friction. The binding of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) was detected against the ω-amine-functionalized cardiolipin-modified SPR biosensor (aCL biosensor) using sera from healthy donors, APS patients and syphilis patients. Our results showed that the aCL biosensor is a much more sensitive diagnostic device for APS patients compared to previous methods. The specificity between β2-GPI-dependent autoimmune- and β2-GPI-independent infection-associated types of aPLs was also studied and they can be distinguished by the different binding kinetics and patterns.     

Droplet-based microscale colorimetric biosensor for multiplexed DNA analysis via a graphene nanoprobe

The development of simple and inexpensive DNA detection strategy is very significant for droplet-based microfluidic system. Here, a droplet-based biosensor for multiplexed DNA analysis is developed with a common imaging device by using fluorescence-based colorimetric method and a graphene nanoprobe. With the aid of droplet manipulation technique, droplet size adjustment, droplet fusion and droplet trap are realized accurately and precisely. Due to the high quenching efficiency of graphene oxide (GO), in the absence of target DNAs, the droplet containing two single-stranded DNA probes and GO shows dark color, in which the DNA probes are labeled carboxy fluorescein (FAM) and 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), respectively. The droplet changes from dark to bright color when the DNA probes form double helix with the specific target DNAs leading to the dyes far away from GO. This colorimetric droplet biosensor exhibits a quantitative capability for simultaneous detection of two different target DNAs with the detection limits of 9.46 and 9.67 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. It is also demonstrated that this biosensor platform can become a promising detection tool in high throughput applications with low consumption of reagents. Moreover, the incorporation of graphene nanoprobe and droplet technique can drive the biosensor field one more step to some extent.     

新型超支状液晶核酸传感器用于p53突变基因的检测

基于核酸杂交链式反应影响液晶取向的原理, 构建了一种新型的超支状液晶核酸传感器用于检测p53突变基因. 本文突破传统构建超支状分子的方式, 采用杂交链式反应方法, 以目标序列p53突变基因作为引发剂, 3种不同的发卡探针Hairpin A, Hairpin B和Hairpin C为单体, 在温和的条件下, 通过改变单体的浓度和反应时间自发杂交组装形成尺寸和分子量可控的超支状DNA(branched-like DNA, bDNA). 借助捕获探针将该超支状DNA连接到液晶传感基底表面, 观察液晶分子取向改变前后的光学信号, 实现了p53基因含249密码子突变序列的快速检测. 本方法有望为核酸诊断的发展提供一种新的方法和思路.     

A generic sandwich-type biosensor with nanomolar detection limits

A quantitative and highly sensitive, yet simple and rapid, biosensor system was developed for the detection of nucleic acid sequences that can also be adapted to the detection of antigens. A dipstick-type biosensor with liposome amplification, based on a sandwich assay format with optical detection, was combined with a simple coupling reaction that allows the transformation of the generic biosensor components to target specific ones by a mere incubation step. This biosensor platform system was developed and optimized, and its principle was proven using DNA oligonucleotides that provided a nucleic acid biosensor for the specific detection of RNA and DNA sequences. However, the coupling reaction principle chosen can also be used for the immobilization of antibodies or receptor molecules, and therefore for the development of immunosensors and receptor-based biosensors. The generic biosensor consists of liposomes entrapping sulforhodamine B that are coated with streptavidin on the outside, and polyethersulfone membranes with anti-fluorescein antibodies immobilized in the detection zone. In order to transform the generic biosensor into a specific DNA/RNA biosensor, two oligonucleotides that are able to hybridize to the target sequence were labeled with a biotin and a fluorescein molecule, respectively. By simultaneously incubating the liposomes, both oligonucleotides, and the target sequence in a hybridization buffer for 20–30 min at 42 ^°C, a sandwich complex was formed. The mixture was applied to the polyethersulfone membrane. The complex was captured in the detection zone and quantified using a handheld reflectometer. The system was tested using RNA sequences from B. anthracis, C. parvum and E. coli. Quantitation of concentrations between 10 fmol and 1000 fmol (10–1000 nM) was possible without altering any biosensor assay conditions. In addition, no changes to hybridization conditions were required when using authentic nucleic acid sequence-based amplified RNA sequences, and the generic biosensor compared favorably with those previously developed specifically for the RNA sequences. Therefore, the universal biosensor described is an excellent tool, for use in laboratories or at test sites, for rapidly investigating and quantifying any nucleic acid sequence of interest, as well as potentially any antigen of interest that can be bound by two antibodies simultaneously.     

Ultrasensitive optical DNA biosensor based on surface immobilization of molecular beacon by a bridge structure.

A novel biotinylated molecular beacon (MB) probe was developed to prepare a DNA biosensor using a bridge structure. MB was biotinylated at the quencher side of the stem and linked on a biotinylated glass cover slip through streptavidin, which acted as a bridge between MB and glass matrix. An efficient fluorescence microscope system was constructed to detect the fluorescence change caused by the conformation change of MB in the presence of complementary DNA target. The proposed biosensor was used to directly detect, in real-time, the target DNA molecules. The bridge immobilization method caused the proposed DNA biosensor to have a faster and more stable response. Under the optimal conditions, the newly developed DNA biosensor showed a linear response toward ssDNA in the range of 5-100 nM with a detection limit of 2 nM. It was interesting to note that the described biosensor was reproducible after being regenerated by urea.     

Electrochemiluminescence detection of near single DNA molecules by using quantum dots-dendrimer nanocomposites for signal amplification

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent biosensor was developed for detection of near single DNA molecules with a linear range of 7 orders of magnitude by combining the specific recognition of a molecular beacon with signal amplification of quantum dots-dendrimer nanocomposites.     

DNA electrochemical biosensors

Disposable electrochemical DNA-based biosensors are reviewed; they have been used for the determination of low-molecular weight compounds with affinity for nucleic acids and for the detection of the hybridisation reaction. The first application is related to the molecular interaction between surface-linked DNA and the target pollutants or drugs, in order to develop a simple device for rapid screening of toxic or similar compounds. The determination of such compounds was measured by their effect on the oxidation signal of the guanine peak of calf thymus DNA immobilised on the electrode surface and investigated by chronopotentiometric analysis. The DNA biosensor is able to detect known intercalating compounds, such as daunomycin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aflatoxin B1, and aromatic amines. Applicability to river and waste water samples is also demonstrated. Disposable electrochemical sensors for the detection of a specific sequence of DNA were realised by immobilising synthetic single-stranded oligonucleotides onto a graphite screen-printed electrode. The probes became hybridised with different concentrations of complementary sequences present in the sample. The hybrids formed on the electrode surface were evaluated by chronopotentiometric analysis using daunomycin as indicator of the hybridisation reaction. The hybridisation was also performed using real samples. Application to apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is described, in this case samples have to be amplified by PCR and then analysed by DNA biosensor. The extension of such procedures to samples of environmental interest or to contamination of food is discussed.