Microdissection molecular copy-number counting (microMCC)--unlocking cancer archives with digital PCR.

Most cancer genomes are characterized by the gain or loss of copies of some sequences through deletion, amplification or unbalanced translocations. Delineating and quantifying these changes is important in understanding the initiation and progression of cancer, in identifying novel therapeutic targets, and in the diagnosis and prognosis of individual patients. Conventional methods for measuring copy-number are limited in their ability to analyse large numbers of loci, in their dynamic range and accuracy, or in their ability to analyse small or degraded samples. This latter limitation makes it difficult to access the wealth of fixed, archived material present in clinical collections, and also impairs our ability to analyse small numbers of selected cells from biopsies. Molecular copy-number counting (MCC), a digital PCR technique, has been used to delineate a non-reciprocal translocation using good quality DNA from a renal carcinoma cell line. We now demonstrate microMCC, an adaptation of MCC which allows the precise assessment of copy number variation over a significant dynamic range, in template DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded clinical biopsies. Further, microMCC can accurately measure copy number variation at multiple loci, even when applied to picogram quantities of grossly degraded DNA extracted after laser capture microdissection of fixed specimens. Finally, we demonstrate the power of microMCC to precisely interrogate cancer genomes, in a way not currently feasible with other methodologies, by defining the position of a junction between an amplified and non-amplified genomic segment in a bronchial carcinoma. This has tremendous potential for the exploitation of archived resources for high-resolution targeted cancer genomics and in the future for interrogating multiple loci in cancer diagnostics or prognostics.

Detection and identification by real time PCR/RFLP analyses of Cryptosporidium species from human faeces.

AIMS: To detect a wide range of Cryptosporidium species from human faeces by analysis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene by PCR. METHODS AND RESULTS: The nested-assay comprised an initial amplification using a conventional thermocycler followed by real time PCR using a LightCycler with SYBR Green I for the characterization of the amplicons. The technique uses four sets of primers composed of five to six oligonucleotides with one to six base differences corresponding to the inter-species sequence differences of the gene fragment. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis identified Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum. The assay was evaluated using DNA extracted from purified material and faecal specimens containing a range of potential pathogens (including Cryptosporidium). The assay was specific, sensitive, reproducible and rapid. CONCLUSIONS: This unique technique enables the rapid detection of a range of polymorphic COWP gene sequences directly from faeces using real time PCR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates a novel approach to identification of Cryptosporidium species and the identification of C. hominis and C. parvum. The technique may be especially useful for the analysis of environmental samples which are likely to contain heterogeneous mixtures of Cryptosporidium species.

Sensitive PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay for detection and genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in human feces.

An assay that uses heminested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for the detection and genotyping of Giardia duodenalis on the basis of polymorphism in the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene was developed. This assay was evaluated with DNA extracted from purified parasite material, bacterial cultures, whole human feces containing G. duodenalis and other parasites, and their corresponding immunofluorescence-stained fecal smears on glass microscope slides. The assay was specific and discriminated between G. duodenalis assemblages A and B. RFLP analysis further distinguished two groups (designated groups I and II) within assemblage A. Among 35 DNA samples extracted from whole feces from patients with confirmed sporadic giardiasis, the tpi gene was amplified from 33 (94%). Of these, nine (27%) samples contained assemblage A group II, 21 (64%) contained assemblage B, and 3 (9%) contained a mixture of assemblage A group II and assemblage B. The tpi gene of G. duodenalis assemblage B was amplified from 21 of 24 (88%) DNA samples extracted from whole feces from patients with confirmed cases of infection in a nursery outbreak. No amplification was detected from the remaining three DNA samples. Overall, analysis of DNA extracted from material recovered from stained microscope slides identified identical G. duodenalis genotypes in 35 (65%) of the 54 samples for which a genotype was established with DNA from whole feces. The heminested PCR method developed is sensitive, simple, and rapid to perform and is applicable for the analysis of other intestinal pathogens.

A high-resolution HAPPY map of Dictyostelium discoideum chromosome 6.

We have made a high-resolution HAPPY map of chromosome 6 of Dictyostelium discoideum consisting of 300 sequence-tagged sites with an average spacing of 14 kb along the approximately 4-Mb chromosome. The majority of the marker sequences were derived from randomly chosen clones from four different chromosome 6-enriched plasmid libraries or from subclones of YACs previously mapped to chromosome 6. The map appears to span the entire chromosome, although marker density is greater in some regions than in others and is lowest within the telomeric region. Our map largely supports previous gene-based maps of this chromosome but reveals a number of errors in the physical map. In addition, we find that a high proportion of the plasmid sequences derived from gel-enriched chromosome 6 (and that form the basis of a chromosome-specific sequencing project) originates from other chromosomes.

Genomic and functional map of the chromosome 14 t(12;14) breakpoint cluster region in uterine leiomyoma.

A translocation involving chromosomes 12 and 14 [t(12;14)(q15;24.1)] is commonly seen in benign smooth muscle tumor as uterine leiomyoma (UL). A contig of P1-derived artificial chromosome and bacterial artificial chromosome clones on chromosome 14, encompassing a t(12;14) breakpoint cluster region (BCR) in UL, was generated principally using the recently developed HAPPY map of chromosome 14 as a framework (P. H. Dear et al., 1998, Genomics 48: 232-241). Three UL t(12;14) breakpoints have been localized within this contig, showing that a BCR of at least 400 kb exists on chromosome 14. Other studies of tumors with t(12;14) rearrangements similarly show breakpoints within a 475-kb multiple aberration region on chromosome 12. Thus t(12;14) is an example of a translocation in which the breakpoints are located within a BCR on both chromosome 12 and chromosome 14, justifying the identification of expressed sequences that are altered in these BCR regions. A total of four expressed sequences were identified in the BCR on chromosome 14. Two of these were novel cDNAs (D14S1460E and D14S1461E). The chromosome 14 cDNAs were expressed in multiple adult tissues. The identification of a large breakpoint cluster region on chromosome 14 suggests that translocations in this region mediate their effects at a distance and also that elements that predispose this region to recurrent chromosomal translocation may be widely distributed.

Ribonuclease k6: chromosomal mapping and divergent rates of evolution within the RNase A gene superfamily.

We have localized the gene encoding human RNase k6 to within approximately 120 kb on the long (q) arm of chromosome 14 by HAPPY mapping. With this information, the relative positions of the six human RNase A ribonucleases that have been mapped to this locus can be inferred. To further our understanding of the individual lineages comprising the RNase A superfamily, we have isolated and characterized 10 novel genes orthologous to that encoding human RNase k6 from Great Ape, Old World, and New World monkey genomes. Each gene encodes a complete ORF with no less than 86% amino acid sequence identity to human RNase k6 with the eight cysteines and catalytic histidines (H15 and H123) and lysine (K38) typically observed among members of the RNase A superfamily. Interesting trends include an unusually low number of synonymous substitutions (Ks) observed among the New World monkey RNase k6 genes. When considering nonsilent mutations, RNase k6 is a relatively stable lineage, with a nonsynonymous substitution rate of 0.40 x 10(-9) nonsynonymous substitutions/nonsynonymous site/year (ns/ns/yr). These results stand in contrast to those determined for the primate orthologs of the two closely related ribonucleases, the eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), which have incorporated nonsilent mutations at very rapid rates (1.9 x 10(-9) and 2.0 x 10(-9) ns/ns/yr, respectively). The uneventful trends observed for RNase k6 serve to spotlight the unique nature of EDN and ECP and the unusual evolutionary constraints to which these two ribonuclease genes must be responding. [The sequence data described in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank data library under accession nos. AF037081-AF037090.]

A high-resolution metric HAPPY map of human chromosome 14.

We have mapped 1001 novel sequence-tagged sites on human chromosome 14. The mean spacing between markers is approximately 90 kb, most markers are mapped with a resolution of better than 100 kb, and physical distances are determined. The map was produced using HAPPY mapping, a simple and widely applicable in vitro approach that is analogous to linkage or to radiation hybrid mapping, but that circumvents many of the difficulties and potential artifacts associated with these methods. We show also that the map serves as a robust scaffold for building physical maps using large-insert clones.

A HAPPY map of Cryptosporidium parvum.

We have constructed a HAPPY map of the apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. We have placed 204 markers on the 10.4-Mb genome, giving an average marker spacing of approximately 50 kb, with an effective resolution of approximately 40 kb. HAPPY mapping (an in vitro linkage technique based on screening approximately haploid amounts of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction) is fast and accurate and is not subject to the distortions inherent in cloning, meiotic recombination, or hybrid cell formation. In addition, little genomic DNA is needed as a substrate, and the AT content of the genome is largely immaterial, making it an ideal method for mapping otherwise intractable parasite genomes. The map, covering all eight chromosomes, consists of 10 linkage groups, each of which has been chromosomally assigned. We have verified the accuracy of the map by several methods, including the construction of a >140-kb PAC contig on chromosome VI. Less than 1% of our markers detect non-rDNA duplicated sequences.

A molecular clock based on the expansion of gene families.

There is evidence to suggest that eukaryotic genomes are subject to frequent insertions and deletions of non-coding DNA. This may lead to a gradual increase or decrease in genome size, or to a dynamic equilibrium in which the overall size remains constant. We argue, however, that there is a bias favouring an accumulation of non-coding DNA in the proximity of genes. Such bias causes a progressive change in genome structure regardless of whether the overall genome size increases, decreases or remains constant. We show that this change may serve as a 'molecular clock', supplementing that provided by nucleotide substitution rates.

The imprint of somatic hypermutation on the repertoire of human germline V genes.

In the human immune system, antibodies with high affinities for antigen are created in two stages. A diverse primary repertoire of antibody structures is produced by the combinatorial rearrangement of germline V gene segments and antibodies are selected from this repertoire by binding to the antigen. Their affinities are then improved by somatic hypermutation and further rounds of selection. We have dissected the sequence diversity created at each stage in response to a wide range of antigens. In the primary repertoire, diversity is focused at the centre of the binding site. With somatic hypermutation, diversity spreads to regions at the periphery of the binding site that are highly conserved in the primary repertoire. We propose that evolution has favoured this complementarity as an efficient strategy for searching sequence space and that the germline V gene families evolved to exploit the diversity created by somatic hypermutation.

HAPPY mapping of a YAC reveals alternative haplotypes in the human immunoglobulin VH locus.

We have identified and sequenced 14 human immunoglobulin VH segments cloned in a yeast artificial chromosome, and have used a rapid PCR-based technique (HAPPY mapping, 12) to derive the order and approximate distances between them. The sequences mapped comprise thirteen germline VH segments and one rearranged VH3 gene. Comparison of our map with other data suggests the existence of at least two distinct haplotypes, differing in the presence or absence of the consecutive genes DP-78, DP-46 and DP-64, and in the duplication of segments DP-49 and DP-65. Screening of ten individuals confirms the existence of both haplotypes, and indicates that both are common amongst the population.

Happy mapping: linkage mapping using a physical analogue of meiosis.

We have devised a simple method for ordering markers on a chromosome and determining the distances between them. It uses haploid equivalents of DNA and the polymerase chain reaction, hence 'happy mapping'. Our approach is analogous to classical linkage mapping; we replace its two essential elements, chromosome breakage and segregation, by in vitro analogues. DNA from any source is broken randomly by gamma-irradiation or shearing. Markers are then segregated by diluting the resulting fragments to give aliquots containing approximately 1 haploid genome equivalent. Linked markers tend to be found together in an aliquot. After detecting markers using the polymerase chain reaction, map order and distance can be deduced from the frequency with which markers 'co-segregate'. We have mapped 7 markers scattered over 1.24 Mbp using only 140 aliquots. Using the 'whole-genome' chain reaction, we also show how the approach might be used to map thousands of markers scattered throughout the genome. The method is powerful because the frequency of chromosome breakage can be optimized to suit the resolution required.

Cellular gels. Purifying and mapping long DNA molecules.

Long DNA molecules of greater than 10(5) bp (0.1 Mbp) are easily broken by pipetting. Therefore, chromosomal DNA is generally isolated after embedding cells in a protective coat of agarose. The embedded DNA can then be cut into long pieces and fractionated on gels using pulsed fields, but these pieces are again easily broken if the resolved DNA molecules are recovered from the gels. We now describe a novel gel matrix, a 'cellular' gel, that permits the recovery of resolved fragments from gels in a form that enables facile manipulation without shear. This facilitates purification and restriction mapping of fragments of 0.1-1.0 Mbp. We illustrate the utility of the method by mapping chromosome III of baker's yeast, which has a length of approximately 0.36 Mbp. This method should facilitate purification and restriction mapping of yeast artificial chromosomes.

Happy mapping: a proposal for linkage mapping the human genome.

A theoretical approach for linkage mapping the genome of any higher eukaryote is described. It uses the polymerase chain reaction, oligonucleotides of random sequence and single haploid cells. Markers are defined and then the DNA of a single sperm is broken at random (eg by gamma-rays) and physically split into 3 aliquots. Each aliquot is screened for the presence of each marker. Closely-linked markers are more likely to be found in the same aliquot than unlinked markers. The entire process is repeated with further sperm and the frequency that any two markers co-segregate determined. Closely-linked markers co-segregate from most cells; unlinked markers do so rarely. A map can then be constructed from these co-segregation frequencies. A specific application for determining the order and distance between sets of closely-linked and previously-defined markers is also described.

Replacing the complementarity-determining regions in a human antibody with those from a mouse.

The variable domains of an antibody consist of a beta-sheet framework with hypervariable regions (or complementarity-determining regions--CDRs) which fashion the antigen-binding site. Here we attempted to determine whether the antigen-binding site could be transplanted from one framework to another by grafting the CDRs. We substituted the CDRs from the heavy-chain variable region of mouse antibody B1-8, which binds the hapten NP-cap (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl caproic acid; KNP-cap = 1.2 microM), for the corresponding CDRs of a human myeloma protein. We report that in combination with the B1-8 mouse light chain, the new antibody has acquired the hapten affinity of the B1-8 antibody (KNP-cap = 1.9 microM). Such 'CDR replacement' may offer a means of constructing human monoclonal antibodies from the corresponding mouse monoclonal antibodies.