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P Dĕdic

Publications and source records attributed to P Dĕdic.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

DNA microarray: parallel detection of potato viruses.

DNA microarray assay has become a useful tool for gene expression studies. Less frequent is its application to detection of viruses or diagnostics of virus diseases. Here we show design of a microscope slide-based microarray assay for simultaneous identification of several potato viruses. Different primer pairs were designed or adopted to obtain specific amplicons from six potato viruses: Potato virus A (PVA), Potato virus S (PVS), Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) and Potato leaf-roll virus (PLRV). Purified viral DNA probes were spotted on a microscope slide coated with poly-L-lysine. The same primers were used for preparation of fluorochrome-labeled targets. The latter were denatured and hybridized on the microarray slide (chip). An example of simultaneous assay of two pathogens is given and possibilities of practical application of this type of assay are discussed.

DNA Primers↗

Analysis of variability of P1 gene region of N strain of potato virus Y using temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis and DNA heteroduplex analysis.

Reaction conditions specific for reverse taranscription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of potato virus Y strain NTN (PVYNTN) were used to amplify a 394 bp fragment of the P1 gene from selected PVY isolates with the aim to study the PVY variability within this genomic region. The P1 gene fragment from the Nicola isolate (Nicola P1/1 clone) was sequenced and characterized by temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). The Nicola P1/1 clone differed from that from the Hungarian isolate by double point mutation resulting in two changes at the deduced amino acid level. The clone showed simple transition from double-stranded to single-stranded form with two characteristic melting end points of about 41 degrees C and 48 degrees C. A more complicated TGGE pattern was, however, found for the whole P1 cDNA library of the Nicola isolate, suggesting accumulation of some minor sequence variants of PVY in this isolate. Based on the TGGE pattern, 46 degrees C was selected as the standard temperature for electrophoretic analysis of heteroduplex DNAs formed with the Nicola P1/1 DNA as reference. More than 40 other PVY isolates from PVYN group were analysed using this method. In most cases only minor fractions of electrophoretically distinguishable DNA heteroduplexes were found, however, in most isolates of PVYN-Wilga type, mixtures of the major sequence variants were observed. Two of these variants from the hybrid 220-5 (Czech Republic) were sequenced. Both of them differed from the Nicola P1/1 clone by 6 point mutations, which led to several changes at the amino acid level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of viroid infection by antisense RNA expression in transgenic plants.

Complex formation between different antisense RNAs directed against either plus-strand or minus-strand sequences of the potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was studied using temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis and immunochemical detection with an antibody specific for double-stranded RNA. Short minus-strand sequences were directed against the upper central conserved region (UCCR) of plus-strand viroid replication intermediates, a plus-strand corresponding to the left half of the rod-like secondary structure (VL+) against minus-strand replication intermediates. It was shown that antisense RNA forms complexes with the corresponding target RNA only with low yield during incubation at low (physiological) temperatures but with high yield during in vitro transcription of the target RNA when the antisense RNA is already present in the solution. The antisense RNA sequences were integrated into Solanum tuberosum L. by Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. Antisense RNA expression in vivo was analyzed by Northern analysis. Infection tests were performed using the transgenic potato lines in order to evaluate their degree of resistance against PSTVd infection. Although some lines showed a significant inhibition of viroid accumulation, a high variability of viroid infection in different transgenic potato lines was obtained. Since strongly infected plants were observed in all transgenic lines 6 to 8 weeks post inoculation, a threshold concentration of viroid, overcoming the antisense effect has to be assumed. When the rate of viroid accumulation was tested using agroinfection assays on leaf discs, a stronger antisense effect could be achieved.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Inhibition of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) infection with DNA oligonucleotides.

The effects of DNA oligonucleotides complementary to potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) on viroid infection were investigated. The oligonucleotides were used to form hybrids with PSTVd in the infection mixture. A 75% reduction of viroid infection was found when an oligonucleotide complementary to nucleotides 79-110 of PSTVd was hybridized with PSTVd at a molar ratio of approximately 5000:1, respectively. A total inhibition of PSTVd infection was observed using an oligonucleotide complementary to nucleotides 42-78 at the same molar excess of DNA over PSTVd, although a 200-fold molar excess was found to be sufficient for the complete blocking of infection by PSTVd. This oligonucleotide caused a significant reduction (about 83%) of viroid infection even if the hybridization was done at a low (30 degrees C) temperature. Shorter oligonucleotides containing 22 and 15 bases corresponding to position 42-62 and 63-78, respectively, exhibited a significant effect only at a high (80 degrees C) initial temperature of molecular hybridization. Heteroduplexes formed between PSTVd RNA and antisense DNA were found to be less stable in a crude nuclease extract from tomato leaves as compared with PSTVd RNA alone. RNase H was demonstrated to cleave the molecular hybrids in vitro.

Base Sequence↗

[Diagnosis of acute dissection of the aorta].

The authors present a group of 14 patients (9 men and 5 women) aged 38-76 years (mean age 59 years) who were hospitalized during the five-year period between 1984 and 1988 at the medical department A of the Regional Institute of National Health in Banská Bystrica on account of acute dissection of the aorta. The authors describe clinical manifestations which can lead to suspicion of this serious disease. They make the readers familiar with their experience with ultrasonic and X-ray examination (in particular aortography and computed tomography). They analyze their contribution to the diagnosis of acute dissection of the aorta.

Acute Disease↗