An invasive cleavage assay for direct quantitation of specific RNAs.

RNA quantitation is becoming increasingly important in basic, pharmaceutical, and clinical research. For example, quantitation of viral RNAs can predict disease progression and therapeutic efficacy. Likewise, gene expression analysis of diseased versus normal, or untreated versus treated, tissue can identify relevant biological responses or assess the effects of pharmacological agents. As the focus of the Human Genome Project moves toward gene expression analysis, the field will require a flexible RNA analysis technology that can quantitatively monitor multiple forms of alternatively transcribed and/or processed RNAs (refs 3,4). We have applied the principles of invasive cleavage and engineered an improved 5'-nuclease to develop an isothermal, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based signal amplification method for detecting RNA in both total RNA and cell lysate samples. This detection format, termed the RNA invasive cleavage assay, obviates the need for target amplification or additional enzymatic signal enhancement. In this report, we describe the assay and present data demonstrating its capabilities for sensitive (<100 copies per reaction), specific (discrimination of 95% homologous sequences, 1 in > or =20,000), and quantitative (1.2-fold changes in RNA levels) detection of unamplified RNA in both single- and biplex-reaction formats.

Secondary structure prediction and structure-specific sequence analysis of single-stranded DNA.

DNA sequence analysis by oligonucleotide binding is often affected by interference with the secondary structure of the target DNA. Here we describe an approach that improves DNA secondary structure prediction by combining enzymatic probing of DNA by structure-specific 5'-nucleases with an energy minimization algorithm that utilizes the 5'-nuclease cleavage sites as constraints. The method can identify structural differences between two DNA molecules caused by minor sequence variations such as a single nucleotide mutation. It also demonstrates the existence of long-range interactions between DNA regions separated by >300 nt and the formation of multiple alternative structures by a 244 nt DNA molecule. The differences in the secondary structure of DNA molecules revealed by 5'-nuclease probing were used to design structure-specific probes for mutation discrimination that target the regions of structural, rather than sequence, differences. We also demonstrate the performance of structure-specific 'bridge' probes complementary to non-contiguous regions of the target molecule. The structure-specific probes do not require the high stringency binding conditions necessary for methods based on mismatch formation and permit mutation detection at temperatures from 4 to 37 degrees C. Structure-specific sequence analysis is applied for mutation detection in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis katG gene and for genotyping of the hepatitis C virus.

Mapping of RNA accessible sites by extension of random oligonucleotide libraries with reverse transcriptase.

A rapid and simple method for determining accessible sites in RNA that is independent of the length of target RNA and does not require RNA labeling is described. In this method, target RNA is allowed to hybridize with sequence-randomized libraries of DNA oligonucleotides linked to a common tag sequence at their 5'-end. Annealed oligonucleotides are extended with reverse transcriptase and the extended products are then amplified by using PCR with a primer corresponding to the tag sequence and a second primer specific to the target RNA sequence. We used the combination of both the lengths of the RT-PCR products and the location of the binding site of the RNA-specific primer to determine which regions of the RNA molecules were RNA extendible sites, that is, sites available for oligonucleotide binding and extension. We then employed this reverse transcription with the random oligonucleotide libraries (RT-ROL) method to determine the accessible sites on four mRNA targets, human activated ras (ha-ras), human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), rabbit beta-globin, and human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Our results were concordant with those of other researchers who had used RNase H cleavage or hybridization with arrays of oligonucleotides to identify accessible sites on some of these targets. Further, we found good correlation between sites when we compared the location of extendible sites identified by RT-ROL with hybridization sites of effective antisense oligonucleotides on ICAM-1 mRNA in antisense inhibition studies. Finally, we discuss the relationship between RNA extendible sites and RNA accessibility.

Experimental and theoretical analysis of the invasive signal amplification reaction.

The invasive signal amplification reaction is a sensitive method for single nucleotide polymorphism detection and quantitative determination of viral load and gene expression. The method requires the adjacent binding of upstream and downstream oligonucleotides to a target nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) to form a specific substrate for the structure-specific 5' nucleases that cleave the downstream oligonucleotide to generate signal. By running the reaction at an elevated temperature, the downstream oligonucleotide cycles on and off the target leading to multiple cleavage events per target molecule without temperature cycling. We have examined the performance of the FEN1 enzymes from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Methanococcus jannaschii and the DNA polymerase I homologues from Thermus aquaticus and Thermus thermophilus in the invasive signal amplification reaction. We find that the reaction has a distinct temperature optimum which increases with increasing length of the downstream oligonucleotide. Raising the concentration of either the downstream oligonucleotide or the enzyme increases the reaction rate. When the reaction is configured to cycle the upstream instead of the downstream oligonucleotide, only the FEN1 enzymes can support a high level of cleavage. To investigate the origin of the background signal generated during the invasive reaction, the cleavage rates for several nonspecific substrates that arise during the course of a reaction were measured and compared with the rate of the specific reaction. We find that the different 5' nuclease enzymes display a much greater variability in cleavage rates on the nonspecific substrates than on the specific substrate. The experimental data are compared with a theoretical model of the invasive signal amplification reaction.

Sensitive detection of DNA polymorphisms by the serial invasive signal amplification reaction.

The invasive signal amplification reaction has been previously developed for quantitative detection of nucleic acids and discrimination of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Here we describe a method that couples two invasive reactions into a serial isothermal homogeneous assay using fluorescence resonance energy transfer detection. The serial version of the assay generates more than 10(7) reporter molecules for each molecule of target DNA in a 4-h reaction; this sensitivity, coupled with the exquisite specificity of the reaction, is sufficient for direct detection of less than 1,000 target molecules with no prior target amplification. Here we present a kinetic analysis of the parameters affecting signal and background generation in the serial invasive signal amplification reaction and describe a simple kinetic model of the assay. We demonstrate the ability of the assay to detect as few as 600 copies of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene in samples of human genomic DNA. We also demonstrate the ability of the assay to discriminate single base differences in this gene by using 20 ng of human genomic DNA.

RNA template-dependent 5' nuclease activity of Thermus aquaticus and Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerases.

DNA replication and repair require a specific mechanism to join the 3'- and 5'-ends of two strands to maintain DNA continuity. In order to understand the details of this process, we studied the activity of the 5' nucleases with substrates containing an RNA template strand. By comparing the eubacterial and archaeal 5' nucleases, we show that the polymerase domain of the eubacterial enzymes is critical for the activity of the 5' nuclease domain on RNA containing substrates. Analysis of the activity of chimeric enzymes between the DNA polymerases from Thermus aquaticus (TaqPol) and Thermus thermophilus (TthPol) reveals two regions, in the "thumb" and in the "palm" subdomains, critical for RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity. There are two critical amino acids in those regions that are responsible for the high activity of TthPol on RNA containing substrates. Mutating glycine 418 and glutamic acid 507 of TaqPol to lysine and glutamine, respectively, increases its RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity 4-10-fold. Furthermore, the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is controlled by a completely different region of TaqPol and TthPol, and mutations in this region do not affect the 5' nuclease activity. The results presented here suggest a novel substrate binding mode of the eubacterial DNA polymerase enzymes, called a 5' nuclease mode, that is distinct from the polymerizing and editing modes described previously. The application of the enzymes with improved RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity for RNA detection using the invasive signal amplification assay is discussed.

Nearest-neighbor thermodynamics and NMR of DNA sequences with internal A.A, C.C, G.G, and T.T mismatches.

Thermodynamic measurements are reported for 51 DNA duplexes with A.A, C.C, G.G, and T.T single mismatches in all possible Watson-Crick contexts. These measurements were used to test the applicability of the nearest-neighbor model and to calculate the 16 unique nearest-neighbor parameters for the 4 single like with like base mismatches next to a Watson-Crick pair. The observed trend in stabilities of mismatches at 37 degrees C is G.G > T.T approximately A.A > C.C. The observed stability trend for the closing Watson-Crick pair on the 5' side of the mismatch is G.C >/= C.G >/= A.T >/= T.A. The mismatch contribution to duplex stability ranges from -2.22 kcal/mol for GGC.GGC to +2.66 kcal/mol for ACT.ACT. The mismatch nearest-neighbor parameters predict the measured thermodynamics with average deviations of DeltaG degrees 37 = 3.3%, DeltaH degrees = 7. 4%, DeltaS degrees = 8.1%, and TM = 1.1 degrees C. The imino proton region of 1-D NMR spectra shows that G.G and T.T mismatches form hydrogen-bonded structures that vary depending on the Watson-Crick context. The data reported here combined with our previous work provide for the first time a complete set of thermodynamic parameters for molecular recognition of DNA by DNA with or without single internal mismatches. The results are useful for primer design and understanding the mechanism of triplet repeat diseases.

NMR solution structure of a DNA dodecamer containing single G.T mismatches.

The three-dimensional solution structure of the self-complementary DNA dodecamer (CGT_GACGT_TACG above GCAT_TGCAG_TGC] which contains the thermodynamically destabilizing [TG_A above AT_T] motif was determined using two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing protocols. Relaxation matrix analysis methods were used to yield accurate NOE derived distance restraints. Scalar coupling constants for the sugar protons were determined by quantitative simulations of DQF-COSY cross-peaks and used to determine sugar pucker populations. Twenty refined structures starting from random geometries converged to an average pairwise root mean square deviation of 0.49 A. Back calculated NOEs give Rc and Rx factors of 0.38 and 0.088, respectively. The final structure shows that each of the single G@T mismatches form a wobble pair with two hydrogen bonds where the guanine projects into the minor groove and the thymine projects into the major groove. The incorporation of the destabilizing [TG_A above AT_T] motif has little effect on the backbone torsion angles and helical parameters compared to standard B-form duplexes, which may explain why G.T mismatches are among the most commonly observed in DNA. The structure shows that perturbations caused by a G.T mismatch extend only to its neighboring Watson-Crick base pair, thus providing a structural basis for the applicability of the nearest-neighbor model to the thermodynamics of internal G.T mismatches.

Nearest-neighbor thermodynamics of internal A.C mismatches in DNA: sequence dependence and pH effects.

Thermodynamics of 27 oligonucleotides with internal A.C mismatches at two different pHs were determined from UV absorbance versus temperature melting profiles. The data were combined with four literature values and used to derive nearest-neighbor parameters for all 16 trimer sequences with internal A.C mismatches at pH 7.0 and 5. 0. The results indicate that the contribution of single A.C mismatches to duplex stability is strongly dependent on the solution pH and the nearest-neighbor context. On average, the protonation of an internal A.C mismatch stabilizes the duplex by 1.39 kcal/mol for DeltaG degrees37 and 7.0 degreesC for the TM. The nearest-neighbor parameters predict DeltaG degrees37, DeltaH degrees, DeltaS degrees, and TM of oligonucleotides presented in this study with average deviations of 6.3%, 11.0%, 12.2%, and 1.8 degreesC, respectively, at pH 7.0 and 4.7%, 5.9%, 6.1%, and 1.3 degreesC, respectively, at pH 5. 0. At pH 7.0, the contribution of single A.C mismatches to helix stability ranges from 2.25 kcal/mol for TCA/AAT to 1.22 kcal/mol for GCG/CAC. At pH 5.0, however, the contribution of A+.C mismatches ranges from 1.09 kcal/mol for TCT/AAA to -0.43 kcal/mol for GCC/CAG. Implications of the results for replication fidelity and mismatch repair are discussed.

Thermodynamics of internal C.T mismatches in DNA.

Thermodynamics of 23 oligonucleotides with internal single C.T mismatches were obtained by measuring UV absorbance as a function of temperature. Results from these 23 duplexes were combined with three measurements from the literature to derive nearest-neighbor thermodynamic parameters for seven linearly independent trimer sequences with internal C.T mismatches. The data show that the nearest-neighbor model is adequate for predicting thermodynamics of oligonucleotides with internal C.T with average deviations for Delta G degrees37, Delta H degrees, Delta S degrees and T m of 6.4%, 9.9%, 10.6%, and 1.9 degreesC respectively. C.T mismatches destabilize the duplex in all sequence contexts. The thermodynamic contribution of C. T mismatches to duplex stability varies weakly depending on the orientation of the mismatch and its context and ranges from +1.02 kcal/mol for GCG/CTC and CCG/GTC to +1.95 kcal/mol for TCC/ATG.

Nearest neighbor thermodynamic parameters for internal G.A mismatches in DNA.

Thermodynamics of 22 oligonucleotides with internal single G.A mismatches dissolved in 1 M NaCl were determined from absorbance versus temperature melting curves. These data, combined with five literature sequences, were used to derive nearest-neighbor thermodynamic parameters for seven linearly independent trimer sequences with internal G.A mismatches and Watson-Crick flanking base pairs. The G.A mismatch parameters predict DeltaG degrees 37, DeltaH degrees, DeltaS degrees, and TM with average deviations of 4.4%, 7.4%, 8.0%, and 1.5 degrees C, respectively. The nearest-neighbor parameters show that G.A mismatch stability is strongly context dependent, and DeltaG degrees 37 ranges from +1.16 kcal/mol for TGA/AAT to -0.78 kcal/mol for GGC/CAG. In addition, one-dimensional 1H NMR spectra show that the G.A pairing geometry is pH and context dependent.

Thermodynamics and NMR of internal G.T mismatches in DNA.

Thermodynamics of 39 oligonucleotides with internal G.T mismatches dissolved in 1 M NaCl were determined from UV absorbance versus temperature profiles. These data were combined with literature values of six sequences to derive parameters for 10 linearly independent trimer and tetramer sequences with G.T mismatches and Watson-Crick base pairs. The G.T mismatch parameters predict DeltaG degrees 37, DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees , and TM with average deviations of 5.1%, 7.5%, 8.0%, and 1.4 degrees C, respectively. These predictions are within the limits of what can be expected for a nearest-neighbor model. The data show that the contribution of a single G.T mismatch to helix stability is context dependent and ranges from +1.05 kcal/mol for AGA/TTT to -1.05 kcal/mol for CGC/GTG. Several tests of the applicability of the nearest-neighbor model to G.T mismatches are described. Analysis of imino proton chemical shifts show that structural perturbations from the G.T mismatches are highly localized. One-dimensional NOE difference spectra demonstrate that G.T mismatches form stable hydrogen-bonded wobble pairs in diverse contexts. Refined nearest-neighbor parameters for Watson-Crick base pairs are also presented.

Improved nearest-neighbor parameters for predicting DNA duplex stability.

Thermodynamic data were determined from UV absorbance vs temperature profiles of 23 oligonucleotides. These data were combined with data from the literature for 21 sequences to derive improved parameters for the 10 Watson-Crick nearest neighbors. The observed trend in nearest-neighbor stabilities at 37 degrees C is GC > CG > GG > GA approximately GT approximately CA > CT > AA > AT > TA (where only the top strand is shown for each nearest neighbor). This trend suggests that both sequence and base composition are important determinants of DNA duplex stability. On average, the improved parameters predict deltaG degrees(37), deltaH degrees, deltaS degrees, and T(m) within 4%, 7%, 8%, and 2 degrees C, respectively. The parameters are optimized for the prediction of oligonucleotides dissolved in 1 M NaC1.