Heteroduplex Mobility Assay Research Articles

Rapid and efficient analysis of gene function using CRISPR-Cas9 in Xenopus tropicalis founders.

Recent advances in genome editing using programmable nucleases, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system, have facilitated reverse genetics in Xenopus tropicalis. To establish a practical workflow for analyzing genes of interest using CRISPR-Cas9, we examined various experimental procedures and conditions. We first compared the efficiency of gene disruption between Cas9 protein and mRNA injection by analyzing genotype and phenotype frequency, and toxicity. Injection of X.tropicalis embryos with Cas9 mRNA resulted in high gene-disrupting efficiency comparable with that produced by Cas9 protein injection. To exactly evaluate the somatic mutation rates of on-target sites, amplicon sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using a restriction enzyme or recombinant Cas9 were performed. Mutation rates of two target genes (slc45a2 and ltk) required for pigmentation were estimated to be over 90% by both methods in animals exhibiting severe phenotypes, suggesting that targeted somatic mutations were biallelically introduced in almost all somatic cells of founder animals. Using a heteroduplex mobility assay, we also showed that off-target mutations were induced at a low rate. Based on our results, we propose a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene disruption workflow for a rapid and efficient analysis of gene function using X.tropicalis founders.

A Rapid and Cost-Effective Method for Genotyping Genome-Edited Animals: A Heteroduplex Mobility Assay Using Microfluidic Capillary Electrophoresis

The recent emergence and application of engineered endonucleases have led to the development of genome editing tools capable of rapidly implementing various targeted genome editions in a wide range of species. Moreover, these novel tools have become easier to use and have resulted in a great increase of applications. Whilst gene knockout (KO) or knockin (KI) animal models are relatively easy to achieve, there is a bottleneck in the detection and analysis of these mutations. Although several methods exist to detect these targeted mutations, we developed a heteroduplex mobility assay on an automated microfluidic capillary electrophoresis system named HMA-CE in order to accelerate the genotyping process. The HMA-CE method uses a simple PCR amplification of genomic DNA (gDNA) followed by an automated capillary electrophoresis step which reveals a heteroduplexes (HD) signature for each mutation. This allows efficient discrimination of wild-type and genome-edited animals down to the single base pair level.

Quantification of designer nuclease induced mutation rates: a direct comparison of different methods

Designer nucleases are broadly applied to induce site-specific DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in genomic DNA. These are repaired by nonhomologous end joining leading to insertions or deletions (in/dels) at the respective DNA-locus. To detect in/del mutations, the heteroduplex based T7-endonuclease I -assay is widely used. However, it only provides semi-quantitative evidence regarding the number of mutated alleles. Here we compared T7-endonuclease I- and heteroduplex mobility assays, with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction mutation detection method. A zinc finger nuclease pair specific for the human adeno-associated virus integration site 1 (AAVS1), a transcription activator-like effector nuclease pair specific for the human DMD gene, and a zinc finger nuclease- and a transcription activator-like effector nuclease pair specific for the human CCR5 gene were explored. We found that the heteroduplex mobility assays and T7-endonuclease I - assays detected mutations but the relative number of mutated cells/alleles can only be estimated. In contrast, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction based method provided quantitative results which allow calculating mutation and homologous recombination rates in different eukaryotic cell types including human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In conclusion, our quantitative polymerase chain reaction based mutation detection method expands the array of methods for in/del mutation detection and facilitates quantification of introduced in/del mutations for a genomic locus containing a mixture of mutated and unmutated DNA.

Detection of Multiple Genome Modifications Induced by the CRISPR/Cas9 System.

The recent remarkable innovation of an RNA-guided nuclease system, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system, enables us the modification of specific genomic loci in various model animals including zebrafish. With this system, multiple guide RNAs simultaneously injected with the Cas9 nuclease into zebrafish embryos cause multiple genome modifications at different genomic loci with high efficiency; therefore, a simple method to detect individual mutations at distinct loci is desired. In this chapter, we describe a procedure for inducing multiple CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome modifications in zebrafish and a convenient method to detect CRISPR/Cas9-induced insertion and/or deletion (indel) mutations using a heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA).

Subtyping of HIV-1 BY gag heteroduplex mobility assay

Background and Aims: Surveillance of the different HIV-1 subtypes has important implications for developing candidatevaccines and understanding the dynamics of HIV-1 transmission in various populations. In this study, HIV-1 viral subtypes weredetermined for homologies in p24 region by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) in 124 patients and by sequencing of ‘gaggene’ with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in selected places all over India. Methodology: Proviral DNA from whole bloodand from PBMC’s from recent sero-converters and seropositive individuals were analyzed. Results: Of 121 samples analyzed, 115(95%) were HIV-1 C subtype, 5(4%) were HIV-1 A subtype and 1(1%) was HIV-1 B subtype. Further analysis revealed that 114(99%) of the C subtype samples had maximum homology to the C6-Indian reference strain, while 1 (1%) was most homologous tothe C3-Zambian strain. Conclusion: These findings have important implications for the design and testing of effective candidateHIV-1 vaccines in India

Discovery, evaluation and distribution of haplotypes and new alleles of the Photoperiod-A1 gene in wheat

Photoperiod response in wheat is determined to a large extent by the homoeologous series of Photoperiod 1 (Ppd1) genes. In this study, Ppd-A1 genomic sequences from the 5' UTR and promoter region were analysed in 104 accessions of six tetraploid wheat species (Triticum dicoccoides, T. dicoccum, T. turgidum, T. polonicum, T. carthlicum, T. durum) and 102 accessions of six hexaploid wheat species (T. aestivum, T. compactum, T. sphaerococcum, T. spelta, T. macha, T. vavilovii). This data was supplemented with in silico analysis of publicly available sequences from 46 to 193 accessions of diploid and tetraploid wheat, respectively. Analysis of a region of the Ppd-A1 promoter identified thirteen haplotypes, which were divided in two haplogroups. Distribution of the Ppd-A1 haplogroups and haplotypes in wheat species, and their geographical distributions were analysed. Polymerase chain reaction combined with a heteroduplex mobility assay was subsequently used to efficiently discriminate between Ppd-A1 alleles, allowing identification of the Ppd-A1b haplotypes and haplogroups. The causes of anomalous migration of Ppd-A1 heteroduplexes in gels were found to be the localization of mismatches relative to the center of fragment, the cumulative effect of neighbouring polymorphic sites, and the location of mismatches within A/T-tracts. Analysis of the Ppd-A1 5' UTR in hexaploid wheat revealed a novel mutation within the "photoperiod critical" region in a subset of T. compactum accessions. This putative photoperiod insensitive allele (designated Ppd-A1a.4) includes a 684bp deletion which spans region in common with deletions previously identified in other photoperiod insensitive Ppd1 alleles.

Multiple genome modifications by the CRISPR/Cas9 system in zebrafish.

The type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system, which is an adaptive immune system of bacteria, has become a powerful tool for genome editing in various model organisms. Here, we demonstrate multiple genome modifications mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Multiple genes including golden/gol and tyrosinase/tyr, which are involved in pigment formation, and s1pr2 and spns2, which are involved in cardiac development, were disrupted with insertion and/or deletion (indel) mutations introduced by the co-injection of multiple guide RNAs (gRNAs) and the nuclease Cas9 mRNA. We simultaneously observed two distinct phenotypes, such as, the two hearts phenotype and the hypopigmentation of skin melanophores and the retinal pigment epithelium, in the injected F0 embryos. Additionally, we detected the targeted deletion and inversion genes as a 7.1-kb fragment between the two distinct spns2 targeted sites together with indel mutations. Conversely, chromosomal translocations among five target loci were not detected. Therefore, we confirmed that the CRISPR/Cas9-induced indel mutations and a locus-specific deletion were heritable in F1 embryos. To screen founders, we improved heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) for simultaneously detecting indel mutations in different target loci. The results suggest that the multi-locus HMA is a powerful tool for identification of multiple genome modifications mediated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Rapid Detection of HIV-1 Subtypes in Ghana by Heteroduplex Mobility Assay

Background: In Ghana, the HIV-1 profile has been quite dynamic. Previous reports identified HIV-1 subtypes A, D and G present and recently the CRF02_AG has been described as the predominant molecular form of HIV-1 in Kumasi, Ghana. This underscores the need for constant molecular characterization of HIV-1 species in the country. Objective: To provide current updates on the nature of HIV subtypes in Ghana, there is need for a user-friendly tool for routine monitoring of subtypes in the absence of cost-intensive and skill-demanding sequencing techniques. This work demonstrates the use of heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) for rapid subtype detection of HIV-1 isolated from Ghanaian patients. Method: Viruses from 15 antibody-positive HIV-1 patients were isolated directly by co-culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated donor PBMCs from an HIV seronegative individual and through HeLa cells positive for CD4/CXCR4/CCR5 (MAGIC-5A cells). That was followed by proviral DNA extraction. Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (HMA) technique was then performed on the HIV gag gene. Results: Using the HMA technique, newly isolated HIV-1 strains were subtyped as follows: There were seven subtype A (47%), two subtype G (13%) and six (40%) A/G recombinants. Conclusion: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG in Ghana has spread much more rapidly than the previously predominant subtype A over the years. Constant molecular characterization of HIV strains is necessary to enable clear elucidation of the prevailing HIV species in Ghana. This study presents the HMA as a useful tool for monitoring subtype emergence and distribution in the country.

Screening Methods to Identify TALEN-Mediated Knockout Mice

Genome editing with site-specific nucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases or transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and RNA-guided nucleases, such as the CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated) system, is becoming the new standard for targeted genome modification in various organisms. Application of these techniques to the manufacture of knockout mice would be greatly aided by simple and easy methods for genotyping of mutant and wild-type pups among litters. However, there are no detailed or comparative reports concerning the identification of mutant mice generated using genome editing technologies. Here, we genotyped TALEN-derived enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) knockout mice using a combination of approaches, including fluorescence observation, heteroduplex mobility assay, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. The detection sensitivities for TALEN-induced mutations differed among these methods, and we therefore concluded that combinatorial testing is necessary for the screening and determination of mutant genotypes. Since the analytical methods tested can be carried out without specialized equipment, costly reagents and/or sophisticated protocols, our report should be of interest to a broad range of researchers who are considering the application of genome editing technologies in various organisms.

Versatile strategy for isolating transcription activator‐like effector nuclease‐mediated knockout mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans

Targeted genome editing using transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 systems has recently emerged as a potentially powerful method for creating locus-specific mutations in Caenorhabditiselegans. Due to the low mutation frequencies, one of the crucial steps in using these technologies is screening animals that harbor a targeted mutation. In previous studies, identifying targeted mutations in C.elegans usually depended on observations of fluorescent markers such as a green fluorescent protein or visible phenotypes such as dumpy and uncoordinated phenotypes. However, this strategy is limited in practice because the phenotypes caused by targeted mutations such as defects in sensory behaviors are often apparently invisible. Here, we describe a versatile strategy for isolating C.elegans knockout mutants by TALEN-mediated genome editing and a heteroduplex mobility assay. We applied TALENs to engineer the locus of the neural gene glr-1, which is a C.elegans AMPA-type receptor orthologue that is known to have crucial roles in various sensory behaviors. Knockout mutations in the glr-1 locus, which caused defective mechanosensory behaviors, were efficiently identified by the heteroduplex mobility assay. Thus, we demonstrated the utility of a TALEN-based knockout strategy for creating C.elegans with mutations that cause invisible phenotypes.

Design, evaluation, and screening methods for efficient targeted mutagenesis with transcription activator‐like effector nucleases in medaka

Genome editing using engineered nucleases such as transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) has become a powerful technology for reverse genetics. In this study, we have described efficient detection methods for TALEN-induced mutations at endogenous loci and presented guidelines of TALEN design for efficient targeted mutagenesis in medaka, Oryzias latipes. We performed a heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) using an automated microchip electrophoresis system, which is a simple and high-throughput method for evaluation of in vivo activity of TALENs and for genotyping mutant fish of F1 or later generations. We found that a specific pattern of mutations is dominant for TALENs harboring several base pairs of homologous sequences in target sequence. Furthermore, we found that a 5' T, upstream of each TALEN-binding sequence, is not essential for genomic DNA cleavage. Our findings provide information that expands the potential of TALENs and other engineered nucleases as tools for targeted genome editing in a wide range of organisms, including medaka.

Inferring viral population structures using heteroduplex mobility and DNA sequence analyses

Heteroduplex mobility (HMA) and tracking assays (HTA) are used to assess genetic relationships between DNA molecules. While distinguishing relationships between clonal or nearly clonal molecules is relatively straightforward, inferring population structures is more complex. To address this issue, HIV-1 quasispecies with varying levels of diversity were studied using both HTA and DNA sequencing. Viral diversity estimates and the temporal features of virus evolution were found to be generally concordant between HTA and DNA sequencing. In addition, the distribution of pairwise differences and the rates of virus divergence were similar between the two methods. These findings support the use of HTA to characterize variant populations of DNA and strengthen previous inferences concerning the evolution of HIV-1 over the course of infection.

Efficient identification of TALEN‐mediated genome modifications using heteroduplex mobility assays

The heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) is widely used to characterize strain variants of human viruses. To determine whether it can detect small sequence differences in homologous templates, we constructed a series of deletion constructs (1-10bp deletions) in the multiple cloning site (MCS) of pBluescript II. After PCR amplification of the MCS using a mixture of wild-type and one of the deletion constructs, the resulting PCR amplicons were electrophoresed using 15% polyacrylamide gels. Two types of heteroduplexes exhibited retarded electrophoretic migration compared with individual homoduplexes. Therefore, we applied this HMA to detect transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN)-induced insertion and/or deletion (indel) mutations at an endogenous locus. We found that TALEN in vivo activity was easily estimated by the degree of multiple HMA profiles derived from TALEN-injected F0 embryos. Furthermore, TALEN-injected F0 founder fish produced several unique HMA profiles in F1 embryos. Sequence analysis confirmed that the different HMA profiles contained distinct indel mutations. Thus, HMA is a rapid and sensitive analytical method for the detection of the TALEN-mediated genome modifications.

Use of the heteroduplex mobility assay and cell sorting to select genome sequences of the CCR5 gene in HEK 293T cells edited by transcription activator-like effector nucleases.

Engineered nucleases such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) are one of the most promising tools for modifying genomes. These site-specific enzymes cause double-strand breaks that allow gene disruption or gene insertion, thereby facilitating genetic manipulation. The major problem associated with this approach is the labor-intensive procedures required to screen and confirm the cellular modification by nucleases. In this work, we produced a TALEN that targets the human CCR5 gene and developed a heteroduplex mobility assay for HEK 293T cells to select positive colonies for sequencing. This approach provides a useful tool for the quick detection and easy assessment of nuclease activity.

A gp41-Based Heteroduplex Mobility Assay Provides Rapid and Accurate Assessment of Intrasubtype Epidemiological Linkage in HIV Type 1 Heterosexual Transmission Pairs

A critical step in HIV-1 transmission studies is the rapid and accurate identification of epidemiologically linked transmission pairs. To date, this has been accomplished by comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified nucleotide sequences from potential transmission pairs, which can be cost-prohibitive for use in resource-limited settings. Here we describe a rapid, cost-effective approach to determine transmission linkage based on the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA), and validate this approach by comparison to nucleotide sequencing. A total of 102 HIV-1-infected Zambian and Rwandan couples, with known linkage, were analyzed by gp41-HMA. A 400-base pair fragment within the envelope gp41 region of the HIV proviral genome was PCR amplified and HMA was applied to both partners' amplicons separately (autologous) and as a mixture (heterologous). If the diversity between gp41 sequences was low (<5%), a homoduplex was observed upon gel electrophoresis and the transmission was characterized as having occurred between partners (linked). If a new heteroduplex formed, within the heterologous migration, the transmission was determined to be unlinked. Initial blind validation of gp-41 HMA demonstrated 90% concordance between HMA and sequencing with 100% concordance in the case of linked transmissions. Following validation, 25 newly infected partners in Kigali and 12 in Lusaka were evaluated prospectively using both HMA and nucleotide sequences. Concordant results were obtained in all but one case (97.3%). The gp41-HMA technique is a reliable and feasible tool to detect linked transmissions in the field. All identified unlinked results should be confirmed by sequence analyses.

A New Evolutionary Model for Hepatitis C Virus Chronic Infection

A New Evolutionary Model for Hepatitis C Virus Chronic Infection

Timing and source of subtype-C HIV-1 superinfection in the newly infected partner of Zambian couples with disparate viruses

BackgroundHIV-1 superinfection occurs at varying frequencies in different at risk populations. Though seroincidence is decreased, in the negative partner of HIV-discordant couples after joint testing and counseling in the Zambia Emory HIV Research Project (ZEHRP) cohort, the annual infection rate remains relatively high at 7-8%. Based on sequencing within the gp41 region of each partner's virus, 24% of new infections between 2004 and 2008 were the result of transmission from a non-spousal partner. Since these seroconvertors and their spouses have disparate epidemiologically-unlinked viruses, there is a risk of superinfection within the marriage. We have, therefore, investigated the incidence and viral origin of superinfection in these couples.ResultsSuperinfection was detected by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA), degenerate base counting of the gp41 sequence, or by phylogenetic analysis of the longitudinal sequences. It was confirmed by full-length env single genome amplification and phylogenetic analysis. In 22 couples (44 individuals), followed for up to five years, three of the newly infected (initially HIV uninfected) partners became superinfected. In each case superinfection occurred during the first 12 months following initial infection of the negative partner, and in each case the superinfecting virus was derived from a non-spousal partner. In addition, one probable case of intra-couple HIV-1 superinfection was observed in a chronically infected partner at the time of his seroconverting spouse's initial viremia. Extensive recombination within the env gene was observed following superinfection.ConclusionsIn this subtype-C discordant couple cohort, superinfection, during the first year after HIV-1 infection of the previously negative partner, occurred at a rate similar to primary infection (13.6% [95% CI 5.2-34.8] vs 7.8% [7.1-8.6]). While limited intra-couple superinfection may in part reflect continued condom usage within couples, this and our lack of detecting newly superinfected individuals after one year of primary infection raise the possibility that immunological resistance to intra-subtype superinfection may develop over time in subtype C infected individuals.

The HIV-1 epidemic in Bolivia is dominated by subtype B and CRF12_BF "family" strains

BackgroundMolecular epidemiological studies of HIV-1 in South America have revealed the occurrence of subtypes B, F1 and BF1 recombinants. Even so, little information concerning the HIV-1 molecular epidemiology in Bolivia is available. In this study we performed phylogenetic analyses from samples collected in Bolivia at two different points in time over a 10 year span. We analyzed these samples to estimate the trends in the HIV subtype and recombinant forms over time.Materials and methodsFifty one HIV-1 positive samples were collected in Bolivia over two distinct periods (1996 and 2005). These samples were genetically characterized based on partial pol protease/reverse transcriptase (pr/rt) and env regions. Alignment and neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic analyses were established from partial env (n = 37) and all pol sequences using Mega 4. The remaining 14 env sequences from 1996 were previously characterized based on HMA-env (Heteroduplex mobility assay). The Simplot v.3.5.1 program was used to verify intragenic recombination, and SplitsTree 4.0 was employed to confirm the phylogenetic relationship of the BF1 recombinant samples.ResultsPhylogenetic analysis of both env and pol regions confirmed the predominance of "pure" subtype B (72.5%) samples circulating in Bolivia and revealed a high prevalence of BF1 genotypes (27.5%). Eleven out of 14 BF1 recombinants displayed a mosaic structure identical or similar to that described for the CRF12_BF variant, one sample was classified as CRF17_BF, and two others were F1pol/Benv. No "pure" HIV-1 subtype F1 or B" variant of subtype B was detected in the present study. Of note, samples characterized as CRF12_BF-related were depicted only in 2005.ConclusionHIV-1 genetic diversity in Bolivia is mostly driven by subtype B followed by BF1 recombinant strains from the CRF12_BF "family". No significant temporal changes were detected between the mid-1990s and the mid-2000s for subtype B (76.2% vs 70.0%) or BF1 recombinant (23.8% vs 30.0%) samples from Bolivia.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of small ruminant lentiviruses circulating in Poland

Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections are widespread in Poland, but the genetic features of sheep viruses are still lacking and limited to partial gag sequences for goat viruses. In this study, segments from the gag and env genes of Polish SRLV strains screened by heteroduplex mobility assay were subjected to genetic analyses. Subtype A1 was found in both sheep and goats, while subtypes B1 and B2 were found in goats and sheep, respectively. In addition, two novel subtypes (named A12 and A13) were found in sheep. Their close phylogenetic relatedness with SRLV strains previously isolated from Polish goats indicated that these new subtypes are predominant and circulate in both species. The antigenic relationships of subtypes A12 and A13 with other SRLV subtypes were tested in an ELISA assay based on recombinant antigens carrying the immunodominant domains of structural proteins (MA, CA and SU). Antigenic cross-reactivity in the Gag epitopes was evident among genotype A subtypes and, to a lower extent, between genotypes A and B. In contrast, a subtype-specific immunoresponse was detected in the SU epitopes. These results emphasize the broad genetic and antigenic diversity of SRLV strains circulating in Europe and confirmed the need to consider all viral genotypes to choose the antigens in serological tests in order to avoid misdiagnosis in control and eradication programs.

Genetic Characterization of HIV-1 Strains Among the Injecting Drug Users in Nagaland, India.

Global HIV-1 surveillance has led to the detection of its new recombinant forms. This study was carried out for the first time to elucidate the genetic characterization and evolutionary relationship of HIV-1 strains among injecting drug users of Nagaland, northeastern India. A total of 156 injecting drug users participated in this study voluntarily. Among them 18 were seropositive for HIV-1 (11.5%).The Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (HMA) of HIV-1 based on p24-p7 region of gag gene and C2-V3 region of env gene revealed 11 samples to be subtype C (gag/env), 1 sample as subtype B (gag/env) and 6 samples to be recombinants between subtype C and B. Also, the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of gag (p24-p7) and env (C2-V3) genes from eighteen samples of Nagaland IDUs with different global HIV-1 strains showed the presence of Indian, African, Thai and their recombinant forms. However, more recombinant strains based on different genomic regions of HIV-1 were detected using Multiregional Hybridization Assay (MHA) where 8 out of 18 samples were found to be recombinants between subtype C and B. Thus, multiregional hybridization assay along with heteroduplex mobility assay can serve as an efficient tool in the characterization of recombination pattern among the newly emerging HIV-1 recombinants.