定量荧光原位杂交测定端粒长度

目的:应用定量荧光原位杂交(Q-FISH)方法测定端粒长度。方法:选取4种端粒长度均一的标准细胞株采用Q-FISH的方法做出荧光亮度与端粒长度的标准曲线,从而得出实验细胞株的端粒长度,与DNA印迹法测定末端限制性片段(TRF)长度进行二者之间的相关性分析。结果:检测荧光强度的最佳线性曝光时间为400ms,相对于DNA印迹法,定量荧光原位杂交(Q-FISH)法所需标本量少,实验周期短,端粒长度结果与Southern杂交法具有很好的相关性。结论:采用定量荧光原位杂交方法测端粒长度具有重复性好、精确可靠的特点,适用于对珍贵标本的端粒改变进行分析。     

牛绝对端粒长度测定及DNA提取造成的影响

目的：端粒是真核生物染色体末端的一种高度保守的负责维持染色体稳定的特殊结构,其DNA序列长度即端粒长度,会随着年龄增长或疾病发生发展而逐渐缩短,检测端粒长度可以为评估机体衰老和健康状况提供参考,但目前缺乏测定微量牛DNA样本绝对端粒长度的方法;通过实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative PCR, qPCR)实现微量牛DNA样本绝对端粒长度的测定并评估DNA提取方法对牛绝对端粒长度测定结果的影响,为进行端粒长度研究时选择合适的DNA提取方法和端粒长度分析方法提供参考。方法：利用标准曲线对检测样本的端粒和内参Ct值进行转换,通过qPCR测定牛端粒长度绝对值;采用膜吸附法、苯酚-氯仿法和磁珠法3种方法分别提取相同样本的DNA,分别用端粒末端限制性片段(terminal restriction fragment, TRF)分析法和qPCR法分析端粒长度,比较不同DNA提取方法对牛绝对端粒长度测定的影响。结果：(1)qPCR可以测定纳克级别DNA样本的绝对端粒长度,检测结果重复性良好,并且和“金标准”TRF测定结果的相关性良好。(2)不同方法提取的DNA用TRF分析法和...     

利用流式荧光原位杂交法测定细胞端粒长度

目的建立利用流式荧光原位杂交法检测细胞端粒长度的技术方法。方法以端粒酶敲除的G3小鼠和同龄野生型小鼠为检测对象,分离其外周血中的单个核细胞后与肽核酸荧光探针杂交,用流式细胞仪采集和分析其端粒长度,分别用荧光原位杂交方法和SYBR Green荧光定量PCR方法验证其准确性。结果流式荧光原位杂交法测定G3小鼠细胞端粒相对长度与C57BJ/6野生型小鼠相比为0.5345,荧光定量PCR测定端粒相对长度为0.5717,结果基本一致。结论流式细胞术与原位杂交方法结合起来检测细胞端粒的平均长度可靠易行,对单个核细胞端粒平均长度的检测有较高的实用性。     

沉默MDR1基因增强急性早幼粒白血病耐药细胞HT9药物敏感性

该研究利用短发卡RNA（small hairpinin RNA,shRNA）表达载体沉默HT9急性早幼粒白血病耐药细胞MDRl基因表达,以提高细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素的敏感性。通过设计合成编码shRNA的DNA模板序列,定向克隆到pSilencer2．1－u6neo质粒,成功构建1个P－gP蛋白基因特异的shRNA表达载体,稳定电转染HT9细胞,实时荧光定量PCR分析MDRlmRYAg表达,Westem blot检测细胞P—gp蛋白表达,流式细胞术检测P—gP蛋白外排泵功能,MTT法检测细胞对药物敏感性。结果显示,成功构建了shRNA表达载体pSilencer2-1-U6neo—MDRl,转染HT9细胞后,PCR检测重组质粒整合到HT9／sh－2－1－1细胞基因组DNA,获得稳定遗传;HT9／sh－2－1—1细胞MDRlmRNA表达降低了78．84％（P〈0．01）,P—gP蛋白表达降低了48．27％（P〈0．05）,细胞内Rh0123相对荧光强度由（10．8±0．58）％升高至（73．56±1．37m;转染细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素敏感性明显增强,IC50分别由（2．06±0．15）gmol／L降至（0．57±0．01）gmol／L、（4．04±017）gmol／L降至（1．56±0．05）μtmol／L。提示shRNA干扰表达载体pSilencer2．1－U6neo—MDRl能够稳定、持久地抑制MDRI基因表达,并能有效增强HT9细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素的敏感性。     

荧光定量PCR检测人巨细胞病毒的方法学建立

目的建立人巨细胞病毒（HCMV）的TaqMan MGB探针荧光定量PCR（FQ—PCR）检测方法。方法选取HCMV MIE exon4为PCR扩增靶序列,经TA克隆构建重组质粒作为定量标准品,经FQ—PCR反应条件的优化及方法学评价,再将其应用于临床检测。结果FQ—PCR最适循环参数为：95℃ 5 min;95℃ 20 s,60℃ 60 s（40 cycles）,20μl最适反应体系为：2．0mmol／L Mg^2＋、0．5μmol／L引物、1．5μmol／L探针、200μmol／L dNTP、2110×buffer、1．0 U Taq酶、2．0μl DNA模板。检测批内CV（变异系数）值为1．32％,批间CV值为1．96％;特异性较好;线性范围为10^2-10^8copies／μl。结论成功地建立了检测HCMV的FQ—PCR法,完全适用于临床检测。     

应用real-timePCR法快速定量人类粪便中双歧杆菌的研究

目的建立快速、准确从粪便标本中定量双歧杆菌的RT—PCR技术。方法传统培养定量法,普通PCR定量法,real—timePCR比较测量。结果（I）粪便标本前处理采取简单的离心和清洗、稀释步骤能去除粪便标本中的抑制物,实现不提取DNA直接进行PCR、real—time定量粪便中双歧杆菌。（2）本实验建立的PCR方法直接半定量粪便双歧杆菌技术在双歧杆菌值介于10^3～10^7CFU／ml时具有较好的分辨率,粪便标本普通PCR得理论菌数与培养得菌数值之间差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;real-timePCR直接定量双歧杆菌技术在双歧杆菌值介于10^1-10^7CFU／ml时具有较好的分辨率,粪便标本RT—PCR得理论菌数与培养得菌数值之间差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论利用PCR、real—timePCR直接半定量和定量粪便中的双歧杆菌可行。     

端粒长度检测方法及其应用

人类的衰老与肿瘤的发生是影响人寿命的重要因素,几十年来的研究表明端粒长度的变化在这两个进程中扮演了极其重要的角色,因此熟知分析端粒长度的方法就显得非常重要。目前,有多种端粒长度检测的方法,包括端粒末端限制性片段分析(terminal restriction fragment,TRF),定量PCR(q PCR),荧光原位杂交(fluorescence in situ hybridization,FISH)和单链端粒长度分析(single telomere length analysis,STELA)等。但每种方法都有适用的范围,在研究和应用过程中需要熟知各种方法的原理、优势和局限,从而选择合适的检测方法,才能达到我们的研究目的,解决具体问题。因此将对目前常用的端粒长度检测方法进行综述。     

骨肿瘤端粒长度变化与相关蛋白表达的关系

目的:研究骨肿瘤端粒长度变化与端粒结合蛋白即端粒重复结合因子1(TRF1)和端粒保护因子(POT1),端粒酶催化亚单位(hTERT),肿瘤相关基因P53、c-myc表达的关系,以了解骨肿瘤的分子特征。方法:采用免疫组织化学、端粒定量荧光原位杂交(Telo-FISH)和原位杂交检测了20例骨肉瘤、25例软骨肉瘤、14例骨的纤维结构不良中端粒长度、TRF1、POT1、hTERT、P53、c-myc的表达情况,并进行统计分析。结果:20例骨肉瘤平均长度为0.31,25例软骨肉瘤为0.41,14例骨的纤维结构不良为0.52。统计显示三者间端粒长度有显著差异(P<0.05)。骨肉瘤和软骨肉瘤TRF1、POT1阳性率均显著低于骨纤维结构不良(P<0.05)。而骨肉瘤和软骨肉瘤hTERT基因表达显著高于骨纤维结构不良(P<0.05)。骨肉瘤、软骨肉瘤P53、c-myc阳性率高于骨纤维结构不良(P<0.05)。统计分析骨肿瘤端粒长度变化与端粒结合蛋白TRF1、POT1的表达呈负相关性,与端粒酶hTERT基因表达、与P53蛋白核聚积,以及c-myc癌基因表达呈正相关性。结论:骨肿瘤端粒长度与恶性表型有关、端粒短缩与肿瘤基因突变相关。     

HBV-DNA与乙型肝炎血清标志物的相关性分析

目的：探讨乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）DNA载量与其血清标志物的相关性。方法：运用荧光定量聚合酶链反应（FQ-PCR）、酶联免疫吸附实验（ELISA）分别检测503例患者HBV．DNA载量和HBV血清标志物。根据HBV血清标志物结果分为大三阳组、小三阳组、少见模式组、抗体阳性及全阴组,比较各组间HBV—DNA的阳性率及定量值。结果：在大三阳组、小三阳组、少见模式组、抗体阳性及全阴组HBV—DNA的阳性率分别为90％、65．1％、65．2％、2．0％,HBV—DNA的定量结果（10gHBV—DNA）别为6．32±1．96、2．01±1．68、3．48＋2．52f抗体阳性及全阴组阳性例数过低,不纳入统计）。大三阳组HBV—DNA的阳性率显著高于小三阳组（P〈0．05）。大三阳组、小三阳组HBV—DNA的阳性率与少见模式组比较,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但大三阳组、小三阳组、少见模式组HBV．DNA的阳性率均显著高于抗体阳性及全阴组（P〈0．01）。HBsAg、HBeAg阳性组HBV—DNA的阳性率分别显著高于HB—sAg、HBeAg阴性组（P〈0．01）。小三阳组、少见模式组HBV．DNA载量均显著低于大三阳组（P〈0．01）,少见模式组HBV—DNA载量显著高于小三阳组（P〈0．05）。结论：HBV—DNA的阳性率与HBeAg、HBsAg相关;HBV—DNA栽量与HBV血清标志物模式相关。     

端粒相关蛋白TIN2

TIN2（TRFI相互作用核蛋白2）是一重要的端粒相关蛋白。人TIN2蛋白包括N端,TRF1交互作用区（TRF1—Int）和C端3个结构域。它在TRF1复合物、TRF2复合物和Sheherin的功能中扮演关键角色,协同其它端粒蛋白维持端粒长度、结构和功能。TIN2与个体发育、细胞分化和肿瘤发生密切相关。     

Real-time quantitative PCR assay for measurement of avian telomeres

We present the application of a real-time quantitative PCR assay, previously developed to measure relative telomere length in humans and mice, to two bird species, the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata and the Alpine swift Apus melba . This technique is based on the PCR amplification of telomeric (TTAGGG)_n sequences using specific oligonucleotide primers. Relative telomere length is expressed as the ratio (T/S) of telomere repeat copy number (T) to control single gene copy number (S). This method is particularly useful for comparisons of individuals within species, or where the same individuals are followed longitudinally. We used glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a single control gene. In both species, we validated our PCR measurements of relative telomere length against absolute measurements of telomere length determined by the conventional method of quantifying telomere terminal restriction fragment (TRF) lengths using both the traditional Southern blot analysis (Alpine swifts) and in gel hybridization (zebra finches). As found in humans and mice, telomere lengths in the same sample measured by TRF and PCR were well correlated in both the Alpine swift and the zebra finch.. Hence, this PCR assay for measurement of bird telomeres, which is fast and requires only small amounts of genomic DNA, should open new avenues in the study of environmental factors influencing variation in telomere length, and how this variation translates into variation in cellular and whole organism senescence.     

Telomere length measurement by a novel monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR method

The current quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assay of telomere length measures telomere (T) signals in experimental DNA samples in one set of reaction wells, and single copy gene (S) signals in separate wells, in comparison to a reference DNA, to yield relative T/S ratios that are proportional to average telomere length. Multiplexing this assay is desirable, because variation in the amount of DNA pipetted would no longer contribute to variation in T/S, since T and S would be collected within each reaction, from the same input DNA. Multiplexing also increases throughput and lowers costs, since half as many reactions are needed. Here, we present the first multiplexed QPCR method for telomere length measurement. Remarkably, a single fluorescent DNA-intercalating dye is sufficient in this system, because T signals can be collected in early cycles, before S signals rise above baseline, and S signals can be collected at a temperature that fully melts the telomere product, sending its signal to baseline. The correlation of T/S ratios with Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) lengths measured by Southern blot was stronger with this monochrome multiplex QPCR method (R² = 0.844) than with our original singleplex method (R² = 0.677). Multiplex T/S results from independent runs on different days were highly reproducible (R² = 0.91).     

Long Telomeres in Blood Leukocytes Are Associated with a High Risk of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Ascending aortic aneurysm is a connective tissue disorder. Even though multiple novel gene mutations have been identified, risk profiling and diagnosis before rupture still represent a challenge. There are studies demonstrating shorter telomere lengths in the blood leukocytes of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. The aim of this study was to measure whether relative telomere lengths are changed in the blood leukocytes of ascending aortic aneurysm patients. We also studied the expression of telomerase in aortic tissue samples of ascending aortic aneurysms. Relative lengths of leukocyte telomeres were determined from blood samples of patients with ascending aortic aneurysms and compared with healthy controls. Telomerase expression, both at the level of mRNA and protein, was quantified from the aortic tissue samples. Mean relative telomere length was significantly longer in ascending aortic aneurysm blood samples compared with controls (T/S ratio 0.87 vs. 0.61, p<0.001). Expressions of telomerase mRNA and protein were elevated in the aortic aneurysm samples (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Our study reveals a significant difference in the mean length of blood leukocyte telomeres in ascending aortic aneurysm and controls. Furthermore, expression of telomerase, the main compensating factor for telomere loss, is elevated at both the mRNA and protein level in the samples of aneurysmal aorta. Further studies will be needed to confirm if this change in telomere length can serve as a tool for assessing the risk of ascending aortic aneurysm.     

Absolute standards as a useful addition to the avian quantitative PCR telomere assay

Bird populations provide excellent systems to investigate variation in longevity in the wild since individuals can often be monitored over their lifetime. A number of recent studies suggest that the dynamics of protective telomere chromosome caps (telomere length and rate of loss) are indicative of biological state and potentially useful as indicators of future longevity. Currently, Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis and relative quantitative PCR (qPCR) are used to measure telomeres in birds, but with limitations. TRF analysis is time consuming, while relative qPCR gives a within‐study relative value making it difficult to compare across experiments. Utilising an approach first developed in humans of using synthetic oligomer telomeric (TTAGGG)_n and normaliser gene standards of known length to calibrate qPCR values, we describe a methodological adaptation to the avian qPCR telomere assay to make results comparable within, and potentially between, bird species. We evaluate this absolute qPCR method in the Seychelles warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis against relative qPCR measurements on the same samples. Telomere estimates from both methods showed an age‐related decline in telomere length, and were highly correlated (r = 0.99). Absolute qPCR avian telomere analysis may prove a useful means of estimating telomere lengths in a calibrated, sensitive, and efficient way using small amounts of archived bird sample.     

Mapping of a major locus that determines telomere length in humans

Telomere length is a crucial factor for both normal chromosomal function and senescence. Mean telomere length in humans shows considerable interindividual variation and strong genetic determination. To see if a locus (or loci) affecting telomere length in humans could be mapped, we performed a quantitative-trait linkage analysis of mean leukocyte telomere-restriction-fragment (TRF) lengths, measured by Southern blotting, in 383 adult subjects comprising 258 sib pairs. Heritability of mean (+/-SE) TRF was 81.9%+/-11.8%. There was significant linkage (LOD score 3.20) of mean TRF length to a locus on chromosome 12, which explained 49% of the overall variability in mean TRF length. We present preliminary analysis of a strong candidate gene in the region, the DNA helicase DDX11. In conclusion, we report mapping of the first locus that determines mean telomere length in humans. Identification of the gene involved and elucidation of its mechanism of action could have important implications for our understanding of chromosomal assembly, telomere biology, and susceptibility to age-related diseases.     

Expression profile of telomere‐associated genes in multiple myeloma

To further contribute to the understanding of multiple myeloma, we have focused our research interests on the mechanisms by which tumour plasma cells have a higher survival rate than normal plasma cells. In this article, we study the expression profile of genes involved in the regulation and protection of telomere length, telomerase activity and apoptosis in samples from patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smouldering multiple myeloma, multiple myeloma (MM) and plasma cell leukaemia (PCL), as well as several human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). Using conventional cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies, we identified a high number of telomeric associations (TAs). Moreover, telomere length measurements by terminal restriction fragment (TRF) assay showed a shorter mean TRF peak value, with a consistent correlation with the number of TAs. Using gene expression arrays and quantitative PCR we identified the hTERT gene together with 16 other genes directly involved in telomere length maintenance: HSPA9, KRAS, RB1, members of the Small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins family, A/B subfamily of ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, and 14‐3‐3 family. The expression levels of these genes were even higher than those in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have unlimited proliferation capacity. In conclusion, the gene signature suggests that MM tumour cells are able to maintain stable short telomere lengths without exceeding the short critical length, allowing cell divisions to continue. We propose that this could be a mechanism contributing to MM tumour cells expansion in the bone marrow (BM).     

A quantitative real-time PCR method for absolute telomere length

Telomere shortening is an important risk factor for cancer and accelerated aging. Here we describe the development of a simple and reproducible method to measure absolute telomere length. Based on Cawthon's quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay, our method uses an oligomer standard that can be used to generate absolute telomere length values rather than relative quantification. We demonstrate a strong correlation between this improved method and the "gold standard" of telomere length measurement-terminal restriction fragment analysis (TRF) by Southern hybridization. The capability to generate absolute telomere length values should allow a more direct comparison of results between experiments within and between laboratories.     

Telomere analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization and flow cytometry.

Determination of telomere length is traditionally performed by Southern blotting and densitometry, giving a mean telomere restriction fragment (TRF) value for the total cell population studied. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of telomere repeats has been used to calculate telomere length, a method called quantitative (Q)-FISH. We here present a quantitative flow cytometric approach, Q-FISHFCM, for evaluation of telomere length distribution in individual cells based on in situ hybridization using a fluorescein-labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) (CCCTAA)3probe and DNA staining with propidium iodide. A simple and rapid protocol with results within 30 h was developed giving high reproducibility. One important feature of the protocol was the use of an internal cell line control, giving an automatic compensation for potential differences in the hybridization steps. This protocol was tested successfully on cell lines and clinical samples from bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes and tonsils. A significant correlation was found between Southern blotting and Q-FISHFCMtelomere length values ( P = 0.002). The mean sub-telomeric DNA length of the tested cell lines and clinical samples was estimated to be 3.2 kbp. With the Q-FISHFCMmethod the fluorescence signal could be determined in different cell cycle phases, indicating that in human cells the vast majority of telomeric DNA is replicated early in S phase.     

Comparative analysis of telomeric restriction fragment lengths in different tissues of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis> trees of different age

Ginkgo trees of four different ages were selected as experimental material. Telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) lengths, as an indicator of telomere length, were determined for different tissues by Southern hybridization analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to compare two aspects of TRF length. By determining TRF lengths for different tissues for each age, a latent tendency was found. TRF length varied from short to long in these tissues in the order microspore < embryonal callus < leaf < branchlet. TRF lengths for leaf tissue and branchlet tissue were dissimilar for female and male mature trees, although this difference between TRF lengths for the two sexes was not statistically significant. Evaluation of TRF lengths for each tissue for trees of all four ages revealed TRF lengths increased with age to some extent. Different rates of change were found for leaf tissue and for branchlet tissue, although tendencies to increase were not linear for either. Finally, a simple mathematical model was formulated to describe the relationship between telomere length and age for Ginkgo biloba L.