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Takafumi Tomita

Publications and source records attributed to Takafumi Tomita.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Gene manipulation using artificial restriction DNA cutter.

Artificial restriction DNA cutter (ARCUT), which we developed recently, was used for manipulation of plasmid DNA. PCR product was inserted into pBR322 plasmid vector using ARCUT, and E. coli cells were transfected with this recombinant plasmid DNA. Successful growth of cells shows that the recombination proceeds without any unexpected mutations. Furthermore, this artificial system was applied to PCR-free construction of chimera protein.

Cerium↗

Site-selective and hydrolytic two-strand scission of double-stranded DNA using Ce(IV)/EDTA and pseudo-complementary PNA.

By combining Ce(IV)/EDTA with two pseudo-complementary peptide nucleic acids (pcPNAs), both strands in double-stranded DNA were site-selectively hydrolyzed at the target site. Either plasmid DNA (4361 bp) or its linearized form was used as the substrate. When two pcPNAs invaded into the double-stranded DNA, only the designated portion in each of the two strands was free from Watson-Crick base pairing with the counterpart DNA or the pcPNA. Upon the treatment of this invasion complex with Ce(IV)/EDTA at 37 degrees C and pH 7.0, both of these single-stranded portions were selectively hydrolyzed at the designated site, resulting in the site-selective two-strand scission of the double-stranded DNA. Furthermore, the hydrolytic scission products were successfully connected with foreign double-stranded DNA by using ligase. The potential of these artificial systems for manipulation of huge DNA has been indicated.

Base Sequence↗

Manipulation of double-stranded DNA by artificial restriction enzyme composed of Ce(IV)/EDTA and PNA.

Through the invasion of pseudo-complementary PNA (pePNA) to double-stranded DNA, gap-like structures were formed at predetermined sites in both strands of PBR322 plasmid DNA. These gap-like sites were selectively hydrolyzed by Ce(IV)/EDTA complex, and two designed fragments were obtained. Furthermore, the scission fragment by this artificial restriction enzyme was successfully ligated with foreign DNA.

Cerium↗

PNA for one-base differentiating protection of DNA from nuclease and its use for SNPs detection.

By the combination of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) with single-stranded DNA specific nucleases, alteration of a single base to another in DNA has been detected with high accuracy. Only the DNAs in DNA/PNA duplexes involving a mismatch are efficiently hydrolyzed by these enzymes, whereas fully matching sequences are kept intact. This difference is visually scored by adding 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine, which changes its color from blue to purple upon binding to DNA/PNA duplexes. These findings are applied to the convenient and straightforward detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). When the target site in the sample DNA is completely complementary with the PNA, a notable amount of DNA/PNA duplex remains and thus the solution exhibits purple color. In the presence of even one mismatch between PNA and DNA, however, the DNA is completely digested by the enzyme and therefore the dye shows its intrinsic blue color. The SNPs in the apolipoprotein E gene of human DNA have been successfully genotyped by this method.

Apolipoproteins E↗

Simultaneous detection of multiple single nucleotide polymorphism by single-strand-specific nuclease and PNA probe.

The combination of PNA (peptide nucleic acid) and single-strand-specific nuclease have been used for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). When DNA is perfectly complementary to PNA, it is protected from digestion by the nuclease. If there exists a single-base mismatch between them, however, the DNA is completely digested. These differences are visualized by using 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine (DiSc2(5)), which changes its color from blue to purple upon binding to PNA/DNA hybrids. In terms of this methodology, homozygous and heterozygous SNPs in apoE gene have been successfully analyzed. Furthermore, the multiplex SNPs are simultaneously genotyped. This technique provides a simple, straightforward, facile, and visual genetic screening, with no need for expensive and complicated equipment.

Base Sequence↗