Comet and cup genes in Drosophila spermatogenesis: the first demonstration of post-meiotic transcription

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Barreau ◽  
Elizabeth Benson ◽  
Helen White-Cooper
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Protein Product ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Single Cyst ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

Post-meiotic transcription is widespread in mammalian spermatogenesis, but is generally believed to be absent from Drosophila spermatogenesis. Genes required during meiosis, in early spermatids or later in spermiogenesis are typically transcribed in primary spermatocytes in Drosophila. Their mRNAs are then stored in the cytoplasm until the protein product is needed. Recently, using in situ hybridization, we identified 17 Drosophila genes, collectively named ‘comets’ and ‘cups’, whose mRNAs are most abundant in, and localize to the distal ends of, elongating spermatids. Using a single-cyst quantitative RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) assay, we confirmed this unusual expression pattern and conclusively demonstrate the existence of post-meiotic transcription in Drosophila spermatids. We found that transcription of comets and cups occurs just before protamines can be detected in spermatid nuclei.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the PAX8/PPARG Translocation in Follicular Thyroid Cancer with a 4-Color Reverse-Transcription PCR Assay and Automated High-Resolution Fragment Analysis

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich ◽  
Dragana Milosevic ◽  
Bryan McIver ◽  
Heather Flynn ◽  
Honey V Reddi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Thyroid Tissue ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Analytical Sensitivity ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Fragment Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

Abstract Background: Molecular testing of thyroid malignancies, in combination with cytologic and histologic examination, is becoming increasingly attractive as a tool for refining traditional morphologic diagnosis. The molecular changes associated with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are point mutations in RAS oncogenes or the presence of PAX8/PPARG (paired box 8/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) rearrangement. Methods: We developed and validated a clinical assay for the detection of PAX8/PPARG rearrangements that uses a 4-color reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay and high-resolution fragment analysis. Results: The RT-PCR assay is applicable for detecting the various described fusion transcripts of PAX8/PPARG in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded thyroid tissue and in fine-needle aspirate biopsy washes from thyroid nodules. The analytical sensitivity of the assay is 1 abnormal cell in a background of 100–10 000 translocation-negative cells. A comparison of the RT-PCR assay with dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization showed an overall concordance of 95%. With this assay, we obtained a prevalence for the PAX8/PPARG rearrangement in FTC of 62% (13 of 21 cases), compared with a 5% prevalence (3 of 55) for other follicular cell–derived neoplasms. Conclusions: The introduction of this assay into clinical practice could provide useful information for the diagnosis and possibly for the prognosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in the future.

scholarly journals Quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay with an Internal Standard for the Detection of Prostate-specific Antigen mRNA

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1397-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Ylikoski ◽  
Minna Sjöroos ◽  
Åke Lundwall ◽  
Matti Karp ◽  
Timo Lövgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Detection Limit ◽  
Prostate Specific Antigen ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Internal Standard ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

Abstract Background: Circulating prostate cells can be detected with a reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA. We have developed a new quantitative RT-PCR method for measuring PSA mRNA. Methods: The method uses a PSA-like internal standard (IS) mRNA that is added into the sample at the beginning of the RNA extraction and coamplified by RT-PCR with the PSA in the sample. After PCR amplification, the IS and PSA products are selectively detected by hybridization in a microtitration plate using probes labeled with fluorescent europium chelates. Results: The method was validated with PSA and IS mRNAs and PSA-expressing cells to obtain a detection limit of 50 PSA mRNA copies (i.e., signal 2 times the mean of zero signal), linearity up to 106 copies, and detection of a single PSA-expressing cell. In preliminary evaluations, 60% (n = 10) of the prostate cancer patients with skeletal metastases gave results above the detection limit (500 PSA mRNA copies in 5 mL of blood). The total number of PSA copies ranged from 900 ± 200 to 44 100 ± 4900 (mean ± SD) in the samples, corresponding to ∼1–100 PSA-expressing cells in 5 mL of blood. In the controls (n = 34), none of the healthy females and 2 of 19 healthy males had detectable PSA mRNA [700 ± 100 and 2000 ± 900 (mean ± SD) PSA mRNA copies in 5 mL of blood for the 2 males]. Conclusions: The assay provides sensitive and quantitative detection of PSA mRNA expression from blood samples and can be used to establish the clinically significant number of PSA mRNA copies in prostate cancer.

Investigations on the Frequency of Norovirus Contamination of Ready-to-Eat Food Items in Istanbul, Turkey, by Using Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 840-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
AYSUN YILMAZ ◽  
KAMIL BOSTAN ◽  
EDA ALTAN ◽  
KARLO MURATOGLU ◽  
NURI TURAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tomato Sample ◽  
Pcr Assays

Investigation of norovirus (NoV) contamination of food items is important because many outbreaks occur after consumption of contaminated shellfish, vegetables, fruits, and water. The frequency of NoV contamination in food items has not previously been investigated in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of human NoV genogroups (G) I and II in ready-to-eat tomatoes, parsley, green onion, lettuce, mixed salads, and cracked wheat balls. RNA was extracted with the RNeasy Mini Kit, and a real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR assay was performed using primers specific for NoV GI and GII. Among the 525 samples analyzed, NoV GII was detected in 1 green onion sample and 1 tomato sample by both SYBR Green and TaqMan real-time RT-PCR assays; no GI virus was detected. The Enterobactericaeae and Escherichia coli levels in the NoV-positive green onion were 6.56 and 1.28 log CFU/g, and those in the tomato were 5.55 and 1.30 log CFU/g, respectively. No significant difference in the bacterial levels was found between the NoV-positive and NoV-negative samples. This study is the first in which NoV GII was found in ready-to-eat food collected from Istanbul, Turkey; thus, these foods may be considered a risk to human health. Epidemiological studies and measures to prevent NoV infection should be considered.

scholarly journals Improved Detection of Rhinoviruses in Clinical Samples by Using a Newly Developed Nested Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arno C. Andeweg ◽  
Theo M. Bestebroer ◽  
Martijn Huybreghs ◽  
Tjeerd G. Kimman ◽  
Jan C. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Noncoding Regions ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Virus Culture ◽  
Culture Positive

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a new nested reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the detection of rhinovirus in clinical samples. The nucleotide sequences of the 5′ noncoding regions of 39 rhinoviruses were determined in order to map the most conserved subregions. We designed a set of rhinovirus-specific primers and probes directed to these subregions and developed a new nested RT-PCR. The new assay includes an optimal RNA extraction method and amplicon identification with probe hybridization to discriminate between rhinoviruses and the closely related enteroviruses. It proved to be highly sensitive and specific. When tested on a dilution series of cultured viruses, the new PCR protocol scored positive at 10- to 100-fold-higher dilutions than a previously used nested RT-PCR. When tested on a collection of clinical samples obtained from 1,070 acute respiratory disease patients who had consulted their general practitioners, the new assay demonstrated a rhinovirus in 24% of the specimens, including all culture-positive samples, whereas the previously used PCR assay or virus culture detected a rhinovirus in only 3.5 to 6% of the samples. This new assay should help determine the disease burden associated with rhinovirus infections.

scholarly journals Prolactin Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Normal and Neoplastic Human Pituitary Tissues1

1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 963-968
Author(s):  
Long Jin ◽  
Xiang Qian ◽  
Elzbieta Kulig ◽  
Bernard W. Scheithauer ◽  
Rocio Calle-Rodrigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

Abstract We examined the specific cell types in normal human pituitaries that expressed PRL receptor (PRL-R) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) by combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The distribution of PRL-R mRNA in 28 pituitary adenomas was examined by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR in 12 cases of adenomas. In another set of experiments, 34 PRL adenomas from men, women, and bromocriptine-treated patients were analyzed for PRL-R by in situ hybridization. In the normal pituitary, PRL- and LH-producing cells had significantly more mean grain counts per cell and higher percentages of cells positive for PRL-R than GH and TSH cells. PRL-R mRNA was present in all groups of adenomas by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR. PRL adenomas had a significantly higher density of labeling compared to other adenoma types. Although there was no difference in the levels of PRL-R mRNA in PRL adenomas from men and premenopausal and postmenopausal women, patients treated with bromocriptine before pituitary surgery had significantly lower levels of PRL-R compared to all other groups. These results indicate that in the normal pituitary, PRL and LH cells have the highest level of PRL-R mRNA, whereas PRL adenomas have significantly higher levels of PRL-R mRNA than other types of adenomas, and bromocriptine treatment decreases the levels of PRL-R mRNA in PRL adenomas.

scholarly journals Reverse transcription-PCR using a Primer Set Targeting the 3D Region Detects Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus with High Sensitivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Nishi ◽  
Toru Kanno ◽  
Nobuaki Shimada ◽  
Kazuki Morioka ◽  
Makoto Yamakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Pcr Assays

AbstractBecause foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has the potential to spread extensively, methods used for its diagnosis must be rapid and accurate. Therefore, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) plays an important diagnostic role. Here we designed the primer set FM8/9 to amplify 644 bases of the conserved 3D region of all seven serotypes of FMD virus (FMDV). We compared the performance of RT-PCR assays using FM8/9 with that using the primer set 1F/R targeting the 5’-UTR described in the manual of the World Organization for Animal Health. The detection limits of the RT-PCR assays were determined for 14 strains representing all serotypes. Compared with the sensitivities of the RT-PCR assay using 1F/R, those using FM8/9 were 101-to 104-fold higher for eight strains. To assess the validity of the methods for analyzing clinical samples, sera and saliva samples from pigs and cows infected with FMDV were collected daily and analyzed using the two PCR assays. The FM8/9 assay detected FMDV from all infected pigs and cows for longer times compared with the 1F/R assay, therefore revealing higher sensitivity for the clinical samples. Our results suggest that the FM8/9 RT-PCR assay is highly sensitive and is therefore suitable for the diagnosis of FMD.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Different Standardization Concepts in Quantitative Competitive Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Haberhausen ◽  
Judith Pinsl ◽  
Carl-Christoph Kuhn ◽  
Christine Markert-Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Small Region ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Standard Curve ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Parallel Data ◽  
Rna Fragments

Four different standardization approaches based on a competitive reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay were compared with a noncompetitive assay based on an external standard curve. Criteria for assessment were accuracy in quantitation, correctness of recovery, sensitivity, dynamic range, reproducibility, throughput, and convenience of sample handling. As a model system, we used the 5′-noncoding region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) for amplification in all quantitative RT-PCRs. A computer program that allowed parallel data processing was developed. Surprisingly, all methods were found suitable for accurate quantitation and comparable with respect to the criterion correctness of recovery. All results differed only by a factor of about 2. The reason for this finding might be that all of our mimics, as well as the wild-type genome of HCV, exhibited exactly the same amplification and hybridization efficacy. Moreover, minimal competition occurred in our experiments over a 5-log dynamic range. A further topic of our investigation was the comparison of two different competitive RNA fragments, mimics, with regard to their suitability as internal standards. One was a heterologous mimic, in which only the primer binding sites were identical to the wild type. The second one was a homologous mimic identical to the wild type except for a small region used for differential hybridization, which was replaced by a permutated sequence of the same length. Both the homologous and heterologous internal mimics were found appropriate for an accurate competitive RT-PCR assay, provided that amplification efficacy, as well as capture efficacy, is proven identical for both analyte and mimic.

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