Detection of the 35S promoter in transgenic maize via various isothermal amplification techniques: a practical approach

In 2003 the European Commission introduced a 0.9 % threshold for food and feed products containing genetically modified organism (GMO)-derived components. For commodities containing GMO contents higher than this threshold, labelling is mandatory. To provide a DNA-based rapid and simple detection method suitable for high-throughput screening of GMOs, several isothermal amplification approaches for the 35S promoter were tested: strand displacement amplification, nicking-enzyme amplification reaction, rolling circle amplification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The assays developed were tested for specificity in order to distinguish between samples containing genetically modified (GM) maize and non-GM maize. For those assays capable of this discrimination, tests were performed to determine the lower limit of detection. A false-negative rate was determined to rule out whether GMO-positive samples were incorrectly classified as GMO-negative. A robustness test was performed to show reliable detection independent from the instrument used for amplification. The analysis of three GM maize lines showed that only LAMP and HDA were able to differentiate between the GMOs MON810, NK603, and Bt11 and non-GM maize. Furthermore, with the HDA assay it was possible to realize a detection limit as low as 0.5 %. A false-negative rate of only 5 % for 1 % GM maize for all three maize lines shows that HDA has the potential to be used as an alternative strategy for the detection of transgenic maize. All results obtained with the LAMP and HDA assays were compared with the results obtained with a previously reported real-time PCR assay for the 35S promoter in transgenic maize. This study presents two new screening assays for detection of the 35S promoter in transgenic maize by applying the isothermal amplification approaches HDA and LAMP.     

Hydrogendiazid Synthese und Kristallstruktur von PPh4[N3HN3]

Hydrogen Diazide – Synthesis and Crystal Structure of PPh₄[N₃HN₃] PPh₄[N₃HN₃] has been prepared from PPh₄N₃ and Me₃SiN₃ by the reaction with water or ethanol forming colourless nonexplosive crystal needles, which were characterized by IR spectroscopy and by a crystal structure determination. Space group C2/c, Z = 12, lattice dimensions at –70 °C: a = 3782.4(3), b = 727.8(2), c = 2512.4(2) pm, β = 110.13(1)°, R = 0.0841. The [N₃HN₃]^– ion is characterized by an asymmetric N–H…N hydrogen bridge with a NN distance of 272(1) pm.     

Importance of platinum(II)-assisted platinum(IV) substitution for the oxidation of guanosine derivatives by platinum(IV) complexes

Guanosine derivatives with a nucleophilic group at the 5' position (G-5') are oxidized by the Pt (IV) complex Pt( d, l)(1,2-(NH 2) 2C 6H 10)Cl 4 ([Pt (IV)(dach)Cl 4]). The overall redox reaction is autocatalytic, consisting of the Pt (II)-catalyzed Pt (IV) substitution and two-electron transfer between Pt (IV) and the bound G-5'. In this paper, we extend the study to improve understanding of the redox reaction, particularly the substitution step. The [Pt (II)(NH 3) 2(CBDCA-O,O')] (CBDCA = cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate) complex effectively accelerates the reactions of [Pt (IV)(dach)Cl 4] with 5'-dGMP and with cGMP, indicating that the Pt (II) complex does not need to be a Pt (IV) analogue to accelerate the substitution. Liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) analysis showed that the [Pt (IV)(dach)Cl 4]/[Pt (II)(NH 3) 2(CBDCA-O,O')]/cGMP reaction mixture contained two Pt (IV)cGMP adducts, [Pt (IV)(NH 3) 2(cGMP)(Cl)(CBDCA-O,O')] and [Pt (IV)(dach)(cGMP)Cl 3]. The LC/MS studies also indicated that the trans, cis-[Pt (IV)(dach)( (37)Cl) 2( (35)Cl) 2]/[Pt (II)(en)( (35)Cl) 2]/9-EtG mixture contained two Pt (IV)-9-EtG adducts, [Pt (IV)(en)(9-EtG)( (37)Cl)( (35)Cl) 2] and [Pt (IV)(dach)(9-EtG)( (37)Cl)( (35)Cl) 2]. These Pt (IV)G products are predicted by the Basolo-Pearson (BP) Pt (II)-catalyzed Pt (IV)-substitution scheme. The substitution can be envisioned as an oxidative addition reaction of the planar Pt (II) complex where the entering ligand G and the chloro ligand from the axial position of the Pt (IV) complex are added to Pt (II) in the axial positions. From the point of view of reactant Pt (IV), an axial chloro ligand is thought to be substituted by the entering ligand G. The Pt (IV) complexes without halo axial ligands such as trans, cis-[Pt(en)(OH) 2Cl 2], trans, cis-[Pt(en)(OCOCF 3) 2Cl 2], and cis, trans, cis-[Pt(NH 3)(C 6H 11NH 2)(OCOCH 3) 2Cl 2] ([Pt (IV)(a,cha)(OCOCH 3) 2Cl 2], satraplatin) did not react with 5'-dGMP. The bromo complex, [Pt (IV)(en)Br 4], showed a significantly faster substitution rate than the chloro complexes, [Pt (IV)(en)Cl 4] and [Pt (IV)(dach)Cl 4]. The results indicate that the axial halo ligands are essential for substitution and the Pt (IV) complexes with larger axial halo ligands have faster rates. When the Pt (IV) complexes with different carrier ligands were compared, the substitution rates increased in the order [Pt (IV)(dach)Cl 4] < [Pt (IV)(en)Cl 4] < [Pt (IV)(NH 3) 2Cl 4], which is in reverse order to the carrier ligand size. These axial and carrier ligand effects on the substitution rates are consistent with the BP mechanism. Larger axial halo ligands can form a better bridging ligand, which facilitates the electron-transfer process from the Pt (II) to Pt (IV) center. Smaller carrier ligands exert less steric hindrance for the bridge formation.     

Die Kristallstruktur von [TeCl3(15-Krone-5)]SbCl6

The Crystal Structure of [TeCl₃(15-crown-5)]SbCl₆ The title compound is synthesized by the reaction of tellur tetrachloride, 15-crown-5 and antimony pentachloride in acetonitrile solution, forming colourless crystals, which were characterized by IR spectroscopy and an X-ray structure determination. Space group Pnma, Z = 4, 1966 observed unique reflections, R = 0.072, R_w = 0.052. The compound forms ions [TeCl₃(15-crown-5)]⁺ and SbCl₆^?; in the cation the tellurium atom is eightfold coordinated by the three chlorine atoms and the five oxygen atoms of the crownether molecule (Te? O bond lengths 266 and 279 pm).     

Oxo-Phosphaniminato-Komplexe von Molybdän und Wolfram. Die Kristallstrukturen von [Mo(O)2(NPPh3)2] und [WO(NPPh3)3]2[W6O19]

Oxo-phosphoraneiminato Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten. Crystal Structures of [Mo(O)₂(NPPh₃)₂] and [WO(NPPh₃)₃]₂[W₆O₁₉] The dioxo-phosphoraneiminato complexes [Mo(O)₂(NPPh₃)₂] ( 1 ) and [W(O)₂(NPPh₃)₂] ( 2 ) originate from hydrolysis of the nitrido complexes [MN(NPPh₃)₃] (M = Mo, W). They form colourless crystals, which are characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. According to the crystal structure analysis of 1 (space group Fdd2, Z = 8; lattice dimensions at –83 °C: a = 1953.3(1), b = 3275.8(3), c = 953.4(1) pm) there are monomeric molecules with tetrahedrally coordinated molybdenum atoms. The distances MoO of 171.2 pm and MoN of 185.9 pm correspond to double bonds. In dichloromethane solution 2 undergoes further hydrolysis with colourless crystals of [WO(NPPh₃)₃]₂[W₆O₁₉] ( 3 ) originating, which are characterized crystallographically (space group Pbcn, Z = 4; lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 3225.1(6), b = 1803.6(3), c = 1811.9(3) pm). 3 consists of cations [WO(NPPh₃)₃]⁺ with tetrahedrally coordinated tungsten atoms and of the known [W₆O₁₉]^2– anions. The tungsten atoms of the cations show distances WO of 171.8 pm and WN of 182 pm which correspond to double bonds as in 1 .     

Azidokomplexe von Vanadium(IV) und Vanadium(V): (Ph4P)2[VOCl2(μ‐N3)]2 und (Ph4P)2[VOCl(μ‐N3)(N3)2]2

Azido Complexes of Vanadium(IV) and Vanadium(V): (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂ and (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl(μ‐N₃)(N₃)₂]₂ (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂ ( 1 ) was prepared by reaction of (Ph₄P)[VO₂Cl₂] with trimethylsilylazide in the molar ratio 1:2 in dichloromethane solution to give dark green, moisture sensitive, non‐explosive single crystals. The reaction is accompanied by the formation of the dark blue side‐product (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl(μ‐N₃)(N₃)₂]₂ ( 2a ), which can be obtained as the main product by application of a large excess of Me₃SiN₃. Dark blue needles of 2a crystallize spontaneously from the CH₂Cl₂ solution within one hour at 4 °C. After standing at 4 °C under its mother liquid within 24 hours a first‐order phase transition of 2a occurs forming dark blue prismatic single crystals of 2b . According to single crystal X‐ray structure determinations, 2a and 2b crystallize in the same type of space group , however, with different lattice dimensions. The vanadium(IV) complex 1 is characterized by X‐ray structure determination and by vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman) as well as by EPR spectroscopy, whereas 2b is characterized by IR spectroscopy. 1 : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, a = 1009.5(1), b = 1226.6(2), c = 1943.0(2) pm, β = 98.42(1)°, R₁ = 0.0672. The complex anion forms centrosymmetric units with V₂N₂‐four‐membered rings with a V···V distance of 335.6(1) pm and coordination number five on the vanadium(IV) atoms. 2a : Space group , Z = 1, a = 1089.0(2), b = 1097.1(2), c = 1310.1(2) pm, α = 92.99(1)°, β = 106.12(2)°, γ = 117.05(2)°, V = 1309.8(4) ų, d_calc. = 1.440 g·cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0384. The complex anion forms centrosymmetric units of symmetry C_i with V₂N₂ four‐membered rings and VN bond lengths of 200.4(3) and 234.4(2) pm, respectively. The non‐bonding V···V distance amounts to 356.2(1) pm. 2b : Space group , Z = 1, a = 1037.3(2), b = 1157.6(2), c = 1177.2(2) pm, α = 98.48(2)°, ° = 103.82(2)°, γ = 106.33(2)°, V = 1281.8(4) ų, d_calc. = 1.471 g·cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0724. The structure of the complex anion is similar to the anion of 2a with VN bond lengths of the four‐membered V₂N₂ ring of 203.3(4) and 235.2(4) pm, respectively, and a non‐bonding V···V distance of 357.5(1) pm.     

A Substrate-Driven Approach to Determine Reactivities of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Esters Towards Asymmetric Bioreduction

The degree of C?C bond activation in the asymmetric bioreduction of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters by ene-reductases was studied, and general recommendations to render these "borderline-substrates" more reactive towards enzymatic reduction are proposed. The concept of "supported substrate activation" was developed. In general, an additional α-halogenated substituent proved to be beneficial for enzymatic activity, whereas β-alkyl or β-aryl substituents were detrimental for the reactivity of nonhalogenated substrates, and α-cyano groups showed little effect. The alcohol moiety of the ester functionality was found to have a strong influence on the reaction rate. Overall, activities were determined by both steric and electronic effects.     

Toehold-Mediated Strand Displacement in a Triplex Forming Nucleic Acid Clamp for Reversible Regulation of Polymerase Activity and Protein Expression

Triplex forming oligonucleotides are used as a tool for gene regulation and in DNA nanotechnology. By incorporating artificial nucleic acids, target affinity and biological stability superior to that of natural DNA may be obtained. This work demonstrates how a chimeric clamp consisting of acyclic (L)-threoninol nucleic acid (aTNA) and DNA can bind DNA and RNA by the formation of a highly stable triplex structure. The (L)-aTNA clamp is released from the target again by the addition of a releasing strand in a strand displacement type of reaction. It is shown that the clamp efficiently inhibits Bsu and T7 RNA polymerase activity and that polymerase activity is reactivated by displacing the clamp. The clamp was successfully applied to the regulation of luciferase expression by reversible binding to the mRNA. When targeting a sequence in the double stranded plasmid, 40 % downregulation of protein expression is achieved.