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Biomedical subjects

J Lundeberg

Publications and source records attributed to J Lundeberg.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Colorimetric detection of Plasmodium falciparum and direct sequencing of amplified gene fragments using a solid phase method.

A rapid colorimetric assay for the detection of DNA from Plasmodium falciparum malaria is described, allowing direct sequencing of amplified fragments in the positive samples. The method is based on amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with incorporation of biotin and a lac operator sequence in the amplified target DNA. The PCR product was immobilized on streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads, and detected by the specific binding of an Escherichia coli lac repressor beta-galactosidase fusion protein. Positive samples were subsequently treated with alkali to generate single stranded templates, which were used for solid phase genomic sequencing. As targets for amplification and sequencing we selected a region of the gene for the antigen Pf155/RESA and a region of the parasite dihydrofolate reductase gene (PfDHFR/TS). We show here that both of these gene targets can be used for specific detection of P. falciparum in patient blood samples. Genomic sequencing of five patient isolates revealed no variation in the Pf155/RESA gene fragment. In a comparison of this sequence with conserved protein domains, a marked similarity to the src homology region 3 was detected. A point mutation was found in the PfDHFR/TS gene fragment of one of the clinical samples, replacing Ser108 with Asn. This mutation has earlier been described in pyrimethamine and cycloguanile-resistant strains of P. falciparum.

Amino Acid Sequence

Dynamic changes in HIV-1 quasispecies from azidothymidine (AZT)-treated patients.

The emergence of azidothymidine (AZT)-resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variants in clinical samples was studied by a direct genomic sequencing method. Sequential lymphocyte samples from four patients, who had been treated with AZT for up to 27 months, were shown to gradually accumulate multiple nucleotide changes, some of which are known to be associated with AZT resistance. Several samples were shown to contain mixtures of wild-type and mutated genomes, indicating gradual rather than sudden changes in the HIV-1 quasispecies. These results demonstrate for the first time that automated solid-phase DNA sequencing is a rapid and useful tool for investigation of antiviral drug resistance and suggest that DNA sequencing may be important in routine clinical diagnostics in the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Immunomagnetic recovery of Chlamydia trachomatis from urine with subsequent colorimetric DNA detection.

There is need for integrated systems that provide rapid and sensitive diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis. Here we describe for the first time that specific antibodies to a C. trachomatis surface protein can be used for magnetic recovery of bacteria directly from crude urine samples. The combination of immunomagnetic separation (IMS), where the bacterial cells are both purified and concentrated, with a colorimetric PCR assay makes the method sensitive and suitable for routine clinical screening in microtiter format. No filtrations, centrifugations, extractions, or electrophoretic techniques are required throughout the whole procedure. Using magnetic beads as the solid phase, the colorimetric detection of immobilized amplified nucleic acids (DIANA) also allow direct DNA sequencing of positive samples for more detailed analysis. Of the 27 urine samples analyzed, eight were found to be positive using this method. Only five out of these eight were determined to be positive by cell culture.

Adult

Variations in the cytomegalovirus major immediate-early gene found by direct genomic sequencing.

An assay to detect and sequence DNA from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate-early gene region 1 has been developed; it involves in vitro amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and direct solid-phase sequencing of the amplified material. Urine samples from 16 patients tested positive for HCMV DNA in both a colorimetric assay for the detection of immobilized amplified nucleic acids and a standard polymerase chain reaction assay with agarose gel electrophoresis. Ten urine samples from healthy people tested negative in the same assays. Analysis of 106-bp fragments from seven patients and two laboratory HCMV strains (Ad 169 and Towne) demonstrated that the viral sequences were conserved in samples collected at different times from the same patient and in tissue-cultured samples. Two of the patient strains had variations in the amplified region, with a total of seven nucleotide substitutions yielding five amino acid alterations in the coding sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is present in the cerebrospinal fluid of a majority of infected individuals.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from 63 patients with different severities of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection, including asymptomatic virus carriers, were examined for the presence of HIV-1 by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation. Polyadenylated RNA, presumably associated with virus particles, was extracted and reverse transcribed, and the pol region was amplified in a nested PCR. Virus could be detected in 90% of the CSF specimens examined by PCR, and data on isolation of virus from CSF were in agreement with these figures. In fact, when several CSF specimens from the same individual were studied, HIV-1 could be isolated from 80% of the patients. The presence of the viral RNA in CSF was independent of the clinical stage of infection and of neurological symptoms. These results show that the spread of HIV-1 to the brain represents an early event during infection and occurs in the majority of asymptomatic individuals.

Blood

Persistence of azidothymidine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA genotypes in posttreatment sera.

The rate of reversion from azidothymidine (zidovudine; AZT) resistance was studied by direct sequencing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virion RNA in sera from four patients who discontinued long-term treatment. Before cessation of treatment, all four patients harbored HIV-1 with multiple mutations reported to confer AZT resistance. In three patients, slow reversions of these mutations starting after 9, 9, and 18 months were detected. The slow reversions indicate that AZT-resistant HIV-1 variants are likely to have an unaltered replicative capacity and pathogenic potential. Furthermore, there were discrepancies between the in vivo RNA sequences and the sequences of virus isolates, indicating that the isolation procedure may select for nonrepresentative virus variants.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Analysis of the V3 loop in neutralization-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants by direct solid-phase DNA sequencing.

To study the molecular basis for the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants with reduced sensitivity to neutralization by autologous sera, the DNA sequence of the envelope V3 loop was determined in HIV-1 isolates derived from four patients with primary HIV-1 infection and sequentially thereafter. The gene fragment encoding the V3 loop of gp120 was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently sequenced by a novel solid phase DNA sequencing approach allowing direct sequencing of the viral genome without the need for previous cloning. The results show that all patients have HIV-1 with unique primary sequence of the V3 loop and antibodies to this structure are produced at seroconversion. The structural analysis also demonstrates that the mechanism for virus escape from neutralization in vivo is complex. Thus, in one patient the emergence of neutralization-resistant viruses coincided with the introduction of several amino acid changes in the V3 loop, while in two other patients the V3 loop remained completely unchanged. These findings suggest that an understanding of the interaction between the humoral immune response and HIV-1 may require detailed structural studies of the entire envelope.

Amino Acid Sequence

Rapid colorimetric quantification of PCR-amplified DNA.

A diagnostic system for rapid colorimetric quantification of the initial amount of DNA template amplified by the polymerase chain reaction is described. The method is based on co-amplification of target DNA with a cloned DNA fragment, in which a lac operator sequence has been introduced by in vitro mutagenesis. The in vitro-amplified material is immobilized on magnetic beads using the biotin-streptavidin system, and the ratio of target DNA to cloned mutated DNA can be determined using a fusion protein consisting of the Escherichia coli LacI repressor and beta-galactosidase. This method for quantitative detection of immobilized amplified nucleic acids is well adapted for rapid automated or semi-automated assays. Here, we show that it can be used to detect and quantify Plasmodium falciparum genomic DNA in clinical samples.

Animals

Affinity purification of specific DNA fragments using a lac repressor fusion protein.

A new method for purification of specific DNA sequences using a solid phase technique has been developed based on a fusion between the Escherichia coli lac repressor gene (lacI) and the staphylococcal protein A gene (spa). The fusion protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, is active both in vivo and in vitro with respect to its three functional activities (DNA binding, IPTG induction, and IgG binding). The recombinant protein can be immobilized in a one-step procedure with high yield and purity using the specific interaction between protein A and the Fc-part of immunoglobulin G. The immobilized repressor can thereafter be used for affinity purification of specific DNA fragments containing the lac operator (lacO) sequence.

Base Sequence

Rapid detection and sequencing of specific in vitro amplified DNA sequences using solid phase methods.

We describe a rapid solid phase assay for detection and sequencing of DNA sequences based on selective introduction of biotin and isotope into the specific DNA fragment amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A two-step PCR procedure is used to lower the background signal. The in vitro amplified material is immobilized on magnetic beads with covalently coupled streptavidin and the amount of bound label is measured. Samples identified as positive can be analysed by direct solid phase DNA sequencing. A strategy is also described to use general primers for detection, capturing and sequencing, which are not homologous to the specific sequence to be detected. The concept has been optimized using oligonucleotides specific for Staphylococci and Streptococci, respectively. Here, we show that the assay can be used for detection of Plasmodium falciparum in clinical samples.

Animals

General colorimetric method for DNA diagnostics allowing direct solid-phase genomic sequencing of the positive samples.

A system for rapid colorimetric detection of specific genome DNA fragments amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is described that has been designed to allow direct solid-phase sequencing of positive samples. The amplified material is immobilized on magnetic beads by using the biotin streptavidin system. An Escherichia coli lac operator DNA sequence is incorporated in the amplified material during the second step of a nested primer procedure. This 21-base-pair sequence is used for a general colorimetric detection with a fusion protein consisting of the E. coli Lac repressor and beta-galactosidase. Positive samples can be treated subsequently with alkali to obtain a single-stranded DNA template suitable for direct genomic sequencing. This method to detect immobilized amplified nucleic acids (DIANA) is well adapted for automated or semiautomated clinical assays. Here, we show that it can be used to detect and sequence Chlamydia trachomatis genomic DNA in clinical samples.

Amino Acid Sequence

Rapid colorimetric detection of in vitro amplified DNA sequences.

A colorimetric assay to detect immobilized amplified nucleic acids has been designed. This approach provides a rapid assay, suitable for clinical diagnosis, to analyze DNA sequences amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The specific DNA sequences are captured on a solid support by the use of a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the Escherichia coli lac repressor and staphylococcal protein A. The biotin streptavidin system is used to detect the immobilized material. Positive samples can be analyzed by direct solid-phase sequencing. Here, we show that this nonradioactive concept can be used for analysis of Staphylococci and Streptococci and for specific detection of the protozoa Plasmodium falciparum in clinical samples.

Animals

Semi-automated solid-phase DNA sequencing.

Increasing the efficiency of DNA sequencing necessitates the development of systems which reduce the need for manual operations by integrating template preparation, sequencing reactions, product separation and detection. A semi-automated system, whereby PCR-amplified biotinylated genomic or plasmid DNA is immobilized on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, has been developed.

Automation