Antibody-independent protection against heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge conferred by prior infection or vaccination.

Vaccines have reduced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) morbidity and mortality, yet emerging variants challenge their effectiveness. The prevailing approach to updating vaccines targets the antibody response, operating under the presumption that it is the primary defense mechanism following vaccination or infection. This perspective, however, can overlook the role of T cells, particularly when antibody levels are low or absent. Here we show, through studies in mouse models lacking antibodies but maintaining functional B cells and lymphoid organs, that immunity conferred by prior infection or mRNA vaccination can protect against SARS-CoV-2 challenge independently of antibodies. Our findings, using three distinct models inclusive of a novel human/mouse ACE2 hybrid, highlight that CD8+ T cells are essential for combating severe infections, whereas CD4+ T cells contribute to managing milder cases, with interferon-γ having an important function in this antibody-independent defense. These findings highlight the importance of T cell responses in vaccine development, urging a broader perspective on protective immunity beyond just antibodies.

Comparative proteomic analyses of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy muscles: changes contributing to preserve muscle function in Becker muscular dystrophy patients.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are characterized by muscle wasting leading to loss of ambulation in the first or third decade, respectively. In DMD, the lack of dystrophin hampers connections between intracellular cytoskeleton and cell membrane leading to repeated cycles of necrosis and regeneration associated with inflammation and loss of muscle ordered structure. BMD has a similar muscle phenotype but milder. Here, we address the question whether proteins at variance in BMD compared with DMD contribute to the milder phenotype in BMD, thus identifying a specific signature to be targeted for DMD treatment. METHODS: Proteins extracted from skeletal muscle from DMD/BMD patients and young healthy subjects were either reduced and solubilized prior two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry differential analysis or tryptic digested prior label-free liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses of proteins and peptides were performed by DeCyder and Perseus software and protein validation and verification by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Proteomic results indicate minor changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein composition in BMD muscles with retention of mechanotransduction signalling, reduced changes in cytoskeletal and contractile proteins. Conversely, in DMD patients, increased levels of several ECM cytoskeletal and contractile proteins were observed whereas some proteins of fast fibres and of Z-disc decreased. Detyrosinated alpha-tubulin was unchanged in BMD and increased in DMD although neuronal nitric oxide synthase was unchanged in BMD and greatly reduced in DMD. Metabolically, the tissue is characterized by a decrement of anaerobic metabolism both in DMD and BMD compared with controls, with increased levels of the glycogen metabolic pathway in BMD. Oxidative metabolism is severely compromised in DMD with impairment of malate shuttle; conversely, it is active in BMD supporting the tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory chain. Adipogenesis characterizes DMD, whereas proteins involved in fatty acids beta-oxidation are increased in BMD. Proteins involved in protein/amino acid metabolism, cell development, calcium handling, endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum stress response, and inflammation/immune response were increased in DMD. Both disorders are characterized by the impairment of N-linked protein glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Authophagy was decreased in DMD whereas it was retained in BMD. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanosensing and metabolic disruption are central nodes of DMD/BMD phenotypes. The ECM proteome composition and the metabolic rewiring in BMD lead to preservation of energy levels supporting autophagy and cell renewal, thus promoting the retention of muscle function. Conversely, DMD patients are characterized by extracellular and cytoskeletal protein dysregulation and by metabolic restriction at the level of α-ketoglutarate leading to shortage of glutamate-derived molecules that over time triggers lipogenesis and lipotoxicity.

ECM Remodeling in Breast Cancer with Different Grade: Contribution of 2D-DIGE Proteomics.

Tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role in outcome of breast cancer (BC) patients. Overexpression of 58 genes, encoding 43 structural ECM proteins, has been identified to determine a specific cluster of BC with accelerated metastatic potential only in the undifferentiated (grade III) phenotype. The scope of this study is to characterize protein repertoire able to predict patient outcome in BC according to ECM gene expression pattern and histological grade. The differential proteomic analysis is based on 2D-differential gel electrophoresis, MALDI-MS, bioinformatics, and immunoblotting. Results suggest a relationship among ECM remodeling, signal mechanotransduction, and metabolic rewiring in BCs characterized by a specific mRNA ECM signature and identified a set of dysregulated proteins characteristic of hormone receptors expression as fibrinogen-ß chain, collagen α-1(VI) chain, and α-1B-glycoprotein. Furthermore, in triple negative tumors with ECM signature, the FGG and α5ß1/αvß3 integrins increase whereas detyrosinated α-tubulin and mimecan decrease leading to unorganized integrin presentation involving focal adhesion kinase, activation of Rho GTPases associated to epithelial mesenchymal transition. In hormone receptors negative BCs characterized by a specific ECM gene cluster, the differentially regulated proteins, identified in the present study, can be potentially relevant to predict patient's outcome.

Collagen VI Null Mice as a Model for Early Onset Muscle Decline in Aging.

Collagen VI is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein playing a key role in skeletal muscles and whose deficiency leads to connective tissue diseases in humans and in animal models. However, most studies have been focused on skeletal muscle features. We performed an extensive proteomic profiling in two skeletal muscles (diaphragm and gastrocnemius) of wild-type and collagen VI null (Col6a1-/-) mice at different ages, from 6- (adult) to 12- (aged) month-old to 24 (old) month-old. While in wild-type animals the number of proteins and the level of modification occurring during aging were comparable in the two analyzed muscles, Col6a1-/- mice displayed a number of muscle-type specific variations. In particular, gastrocnemius displayed a limited number of dysregulated proteins in adult mice, while in aged muscles the modifications were more pronounced in terms of number and level. In diaphragm, the differences displayed by 6-month-old Col6a1-/- mice were more pronounced compared to wild-type mice and persisted at 12 months of age. In adult Col6a1-/- mice, the major variations were found in the enzymes belonging to the glycolytic pathway and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, as well as in autophagy-related proteins. When compared to wild-type animals Col6a1-/- mice displayed a general metabolic rewiring which was particularly prominent the diaphragm at 6 months of age. Comparison of the proteomic features and the molecular analysis of metabolic and autophagic pathways in adult and aged Col6a1-/- diaphragm indicated that the effects of aging, culminating in lipotoxicity and autophagic impairment, were already present at 6 months of age. Conversely, the effects of aging in Col6a1-/- gastrocnemius were similar but delayed becoming apparent at 12 months of age. A similar metabolic rewiring and autophagic impairment was found in the diaphragm of 24-month-old wild-type mice, confirming that fatty acid synthase (FASN) increment and decreased microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) lipidation are hallmarks of the aging process. Altogether these data indicate that the diaphragm of Col6a1-/- animal model can be considered as a model of early skeletal muscle aging.

Protein Kinase A Activation Promotes Cancer Cell Resistance to Glucose Starvation and Anoikis.

Cancer cells often rely on glycolysis to obtain energy and support anabolic growth. Several studies showed that glycolytic cells are susceptible to cell death when subjected to low glucose availability or to lack of glucose. However, some cancer cells, including glycolytic ones, can efficiently acquire higher tolerance to glucose depletion, leading to their survival and aggressiveness. Although increased resistance to glucose starvation has been shown to be a consequence of signaling pathways and compensatory metabolic routes activation, the full repertoire of the underlying molecular alterations remain elusive. Using omics and computational analyses, we found that cyclic adenosine monophosphate-Protein Kinase A (cAMP-PKA) axis activation is fundamental for cancer cell resistance to glucose starvation and anoikis. Notably, here we show that such a PKA-dependent survival is mediated by parallel activation of autophagy and glutamine utilization that in concert concur to attenuate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and to sustain cell anabolism. Indeed, the inhibition of PKA-mediated autophagy or glutamine metabolism increased the level of cell death, suggesting that the induction of autophagy and metabolic rewiring by PKA is important for cancer cellular survival under glucose starvation. Importantly, both processes actively participate to cancer cell survival mediated by suspension-activated PKA as well. In addition we identify also a PKA/Src mechanism capable to protect cancer cells from anoikis. Our results reveal for the first time the role of the versatile PKA in cancer cells survival under chronic glucose starvation and anoikis and may be a novel potential target for cancer treatment.

Specific protein changes contribute to the differential muscle mass loss during ageing.

In the skeletal muscle, the ageing process is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength, coupled with a decline of mitochondrial function and a decrease of satellite cells. This profile is more pronounced in hindlimb than in forelimb muscles, both in humans and in rodents. Utilizing light and electron microscopy, myosin heavy chain isoform distribution, proteomic analysis by 2D-DIGE, MALDI-TOF MS and quantitative immunoblotting, this study analyzes the protein levels and the nuclear localization of specific molecules, which can contribute to a preferential muscle loss. Our results identify the molecular changes in the hindlimb (gastrocnemius) and forelimb (triceps) muscles during ageing in rats (3- and 22-month-old). Specifically, the oxidative metabolism contributes to tissue homeostasis in triceps, whereas respiratory chain disruption and oxidative-stress-induced damage imbalance the homeostasis in gastrocnemius muscle. High levels of dihydrolipoyllysine-residue acetyltransferase (Dlat) and ATP synthase subunit alpha (Atp5a1) are detected in triceps and gastrocnemius, respectively. Interestingly, in triceps, both molecules are increased in the nucleus in aged rats and are associated to an increased protein acetylation and myoglobin availability. Furthermore, autophagy is retained in triceps whereas an enhanced fusion, decrement of mitophagy and of regenerative potential is observed in aged gastrocnemius muscle.

Proteomic analysis of human glioblastoma cell lines differently resistant to a nitric oxide releasing agent.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive astrocytoma characterized by the development of resistant cells to various cytotoxic stimuli. Nitric oxide (NO) is able to overcome tumor resistance in PTEN mutated rat C6 glioma cells due to its ability to inhibit cell growth by influencing the intracellular distribution of ceramide. The aim of this study is to monitor the effects of NO donor PAPANONOate on ceramide trafficking in human glioma cell lines, CCF-STTG1 (PTEN-mutated, p53-wt) and T98G (PTEN-harboring, p53-mutated), together with the assessment of their differential molecular signature by 2D-DIGE and MALDI mass spectrometry. In the CCF-STTG1 cell line, the results indicate that treatment with PAPANONOate decreased cell proliferation (<50%) and intracellular trafficking of ceramide, assessed by BODIPY-C5Cer, while these events were not observed in the T98G cell line. Proteomic results suggest that CCF-STTG1 cells are characterized by an increased expression of proteins involved in NO-associated ER stress (i.e. protein disulfide-isomerase A3, calreticulin, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein), which could compromise ceramide delivery from ER to Golgi, leading to ceramide accumulation in ER and partial growth arrest. Conversely, T98G cell lines, resistant to NO exposure, are characterized by increased levels of cytosolic antioxidant proteins (i.e. glutathione-S-transferase P, peroxiredoxin 1), which might buffer intracellular NO. By providing differential ceramide distribution after NO exposure and differential protein expression of two high grade glioma cell lines, this study highlights specific proteins as possible markers for tumor aggressiveness. This study demonstrates that, in two different high grade glioma cell lines, NO exposure results in a different ceramide distribution and protein expression. Furthermore, this study highlights specific proteins as possible markers for tumor aggressiveness.

Changes in muscle proteomics in the course of the Caudwell Research Expedition to Mt. Everest.

This study employed differential proteomic and immunoassay techniques to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms utilized by human muscle (vastus lateralis) in response to high altitude hypoxia exposure. Two groups of subjects, participating in a medical research expedition (A, n = 5, 19 d at 5300 m altitude; B, n = 6, 66 d up to 8848 m) underwent a ≈ 30% drop of muscular creatine kinase and of glycolytic enzymes abundance. Protein abundance of most enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation was reduced both in A and, particularly, in B. Restriction of α-ketoglutarate toward succinyl-CoA resulted in increased prolyl hydroxylase 2 and glutamine synthetase. Both A and B were characterized by a reduction of elongation factor 2 alpha, controlling protein translation, and by an increase of heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein involved in chaperone-mediated autophagy. Increased protein levels of catalase and biliverdin reductase occurred in A alongside a decrement of voltage-dependent anion channels 1 and 2 and of myosin-binding protein C, suggesting damage to the sarcomeric structures. This study suggests that during acclimatization to hypobaric hypoxia the muscle behaves as a producer of substrates activating a metabolic reprogramming able to support anaplerotically the tricarboxylic acid cycle, to control protein translation, to prevent energy expenditure and to activate chaperone-mediated autophagy.

Muscle proteomics reveals novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of collagen VI myopathies.

Mutations in the collagen VI genes cause the Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), with severe phenotype, and Bethlem myopathy (BM) with mild to moderate phenotype. Both, UCMD and BM patients show dystrophic features with degeneration/regeneration and replacement of muscle with fat and fibrous connective tissue. At molecular level, UCMD patients show autophagic impairment and increased PTP opening; these features are less severe in BM. To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms adopted by the muscle to adapt to collagen VI deficiency in BM and UCMD patients, a proteome analysis was carried out on human muscle biopsies. Qualitative and quantitative differences were assessed by 2D-DIGE coupled to MALDI-ToF/ToF MS. Proteomics results, coupled with immunoblotting, indicate changes in UPR, hexosamine pathway, and amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, suggesting an association of ER stress, metabolic dysregulation, autophagic impairment, and alteration in mechanotransduction signaling. Overall, these results indicate that despite the common downregulation of hexosamine pathway in UCMD and BM, in BM the protein quality control system is sustained by a metabolic adaptation supporting energy requirements for the maintenance of autophagy, counteracting ER misfolded protein overload. In UCMD, this multilayered system may be disrupted and worsened by the metabolic rewiring, which leads to lipotoxicity.

hnRNPA2/B1 and nELAV proteins bind to a specific U-rich element in CDK5R1 3'-UTR and oppositely regulate its expression.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit 1 (CDK5R1) encodes p35, a specific activator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). CDK5 and p35 have a fundamental role in neuronal migration and differentiation during CNS development. Both the CDK5R1 3'-UTR's remarkable size and its conservation during evolution strongly indicate an important role in post-transcriptional regulation. We previously validated different regulatory elements in the 3'-UTR of CDK5R1, which affect transcript stability, p35 levels and cellular migration through the binding with nELAV proteins and miR-103/7 miRNAs. Interestingly, a 138 bp-long region, named C2.1, was identified as the most mRNA destabilizing portion within CDK5R1 3'-UTR. This feature was maintained by a shorter region of 73 bp, characterized by two poly-U stretches. UV-CL experiments showed that this region interacts with protein factors. UV-CLIP assays and pull-down experiments followed by mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that nELAV and hnRNPA2/B1 proteins bind to the same U-rich element. These RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were shown to oppositely control CDK5R1 mRNA stability and p35 protein content at post-trascriptional level. While nELAV proteins have a positive regulatory effect, hnRNPA2/B1 has a negative action that is responsible for the mRNA destabilizing activity both of the C2.1 region and of the full-length 3'-UTR. In co-expression experiments of hnRNPA2/B1 and nELAV RBPs we observed an overall decrease of p35 content. We also demonstrated that hnRNPA2/B1 can downregulate nELAV protein content but not vice versa. This study, by providing new insights on the combined action of different regulatory factors, contributes to clarify the complex post-transcriptional control of CDK5R1 gene expression.

Changes in muscle cell metabolism and mechanotransduction are associated with myopathic phenotype in a mouse model of collagen VI deficiency.

This study identifies metabolic and protein phenotypic alterations in gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior and diaphragm muscles of Col6a1(-/-) mice, a model of human collagen VI myopathies. All three muscles of Col6a1(-/-) mice show some common changes in proteins involved in metabolism, resulting in decreased glycolysis and in changes of the TCA cycle fluxes. These changes lead to a different fate of α-ketoglutarate, with production of anabolic substrates in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior, and with lipotoxicity in diaphragm. The metabolic changes are associated with changes of proteins involved in mechanotransduction at the myotendineous junction/costameric/sarcomeric level (TN-C, FAK, ROCK1, troponin I fast) and in energy metabolism (aldolase, enolase 3, triose phosphate isomerase, creatine kinase, adenylate kinase 1, parvalbumin, IDH1 and FASN). Together, these change may explain Ca(2+) deregulation, impaired force development, increased muscle-relaxation-time and fiber damage found in the mouse model as well as in patients. The severity of these changes differs in the three muscles (gastrocnemius

2D DIGE analysis of protein extracts from muscle tissue.

2D DIGE, two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, is a technology used to study the protein expression on two-dimensional gels. Protein samples are labeled with different color fluorescent dyes designed not to affect the relative migration of proteins during electrophoresis. Here, we describe the practical procedures necessary to perform a 2D DIGE experiment for a muscle tissue protein extract followed by CyDye DIGE fluors minimal labeling and the analysis of 2D DIGE gels for the assessment of quantitative differences.

Enhanced athletic performance on multisite AAV-IGF1 gene transfer coincides with massive modification of the muscle proteome.

Progress in gene therapy has hinted at the potential misuse of gene transfer in sports to achieve better athletic performance, while escaping from traditional doping detection methods. Suitable animal models are therefore required in order to better define the potential effects and risks of gene doping. Here we describe a mouse model of gene doping based on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) cDNA to multiple muscles. This treatment determined marked muscle hypertrophy, neovascularization, and fast-to-slow fiber type transition, similar to endurance exercise. In functional terms, treated mice showed impressive endurance gain, as determined by an exhaustive swimming test. The proteomic profile of the transduced muscles at 15 and 30 days after gene delivery revealed induction of key proteins controlling energy metabolism. At the earlier time point, enzymes controlling glycogen mobilization and anaerobic glycolysis were induced, whereas they were later replaced by proteins required for aerobic metabolism, including enzymes related to the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. These modifications coincided with the induction of several structural and contractile proteins, in agreement with the observed histological and functional changes. Collectively, these results give important insights into the biological response of muscles to continuous IGF-I expression in vivo and warn against the potential misuse of AAV-IGF1 as a doping agent.

Proteins modulation in human skeletal muscle in the early phase of adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia.

High altitude hypoxia is a paraphysiological condition triggering redox status disturbances of cell organization leading, via oxidative stress, to proteins, lipids, and DNA damage. In man, skeletal muscle, after prolonged exposure to hypoxia, undergoes mass reduction and alterations at the cellular level featuring a reduction of mitochondrial volume density, accumulation of lipofuscin, a product of lipid peroxidation, and dysregulation of enzymes whose time course is unknown. The effects of 7-9 days exposure to 4559 m (Margherita Hut, Monte Rosa, Italy) on the muscle proteins pattern were investigated, pre- and post-exposure, in ten young subjects, by 2-D DIGE and MS. Ten milligram biopsies were obtained from the mid part of the vastus lateralis muscle at sea level (control) and at altitude, after 7-9 days hypoxia. Differential analysis indicates that proteins involved in iron transport, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and oxidative stress responses were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in hypoxia. Parenthetically, hypoxia markers such as hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) were still at the pre-hypoxia levels, whereas the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a marker of protein synthesis, was reduced.

Proteomic investigation of the molecular pathophysiology of dysferlinopathy.

Mutations in dysferlin gene cause several types of muscular dystrophy in humans, including the limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and the distal muscular dystrophy of Miyoshi. The dysferlin gene product is a membrane-associated protein belonging to the ferlins family of proteins. The function of the dysferlin protein and the cause of deterioration and regression of muscle fibres in its absence, are incompletely known. A functional clue may be the presence of six hydrophilic domains, C2, that bind calcium and mediate the interaction of proteins with cellular membranes. Dysferlin seems to be involved in the membrane fusion or repair. Molecular diagnosis of dysferlinopathies is now possible and the types of gene alterations that have been characterized so far include missense mutations, deletions and insertions.

2-D protein maps of rat gastrocnemius and soleus muscles: a tool for muscle plasticity assessment.

Functional characterization of muscle fibers relies on ATPase activity and on differential measurements of metabolic proteins, including mitochondrial and glycolytic enzymes, glucose, lactate and lactic acid transporters, calcium cycling proteins and components of the contractile machinery. The recent introduction of microarray technology has enabled detailed gene expression studies under different physiological and pathological conditions, thus generating novel hypotheses on muscle function. However, microarray approaches are limited by the incomplete genome coverage of currently available chips, and by poor correlation between mRNA concentration and protein expression level. We have used 2-DE and MS to build a reference map of proteins from rat mixed gastrocnemius and soleus muscle, and to assess qualitative and quantitative differences in protein distribution between these two functionally dissimilar muscles. More than 800 spots on each gel were detected by silver staining, of which 167 were excised, digested in-gel with trypsin and analyzed by ESI-MS/MS. One hundred and twenty eight distinct gene products were identified, including metabolic, transport and contractile proteins. Forty one spots displayed differences in relative expression level between mixed gastrocnemius and soleus samples. These data not only enable differentiation of functionally distinct slow-twitch and fast-twitch fiber types, but also provide tools for investigating muscle plasticity in response to physiological and environmental conditions such as aging or hypoxia.

New aspects of altitude adaptation in Tibetans: a proteomic approach.

A prolonged sojourn above 5500 m induces muscle deterioration and accumulation of lipofuscin in Caucasians, probably because of overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because Sherpas, who live at high altitude, have very limited muscle damage, it was hypothesized that Himalayan natives possess intrinsic mechanisms protecting them from oxidative damage. This possibility was investigated by comparing the muscle proteomes of native Tibetans permanently residing at high altitude, second-generation Tibetans born and living at low altitude, and Nepali control subjects permanently residing at low altitude, using 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Seven differentially regulated proteins were identified: glutathione-S-transferase P1-1, which was 380% and 50% overexpressed in Tibetans born and living at high and low altitude, respectively; Delta2-enoyl-CoA-hydratase, which was up-regulated in both Tibetan groups; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, which were both slightly down-regulated in Tibetans born and living at high altitude; phosphoglycerate mutase, which was 50% up-regulated in the native Tibetans; NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, slightly overexpressed in Tibetans born and living at high altitude; and myoglobin, which was overexpressed in both Tibetan groups. We concluded that Tibetans at high altitude, and to some extent, those born and living at low altitude, are protected from ROS-induced tissue damage and possess specific metabolic adaptations.

Two-dimensional protein map of human vastus lateralis muscle.

Protein samples of human vastus lateralis muscle were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, using immobilized pH gradients encompassing several pH regions in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. More than 500 protein spots on each gel were detected by silver staining, of which 150 were excised, digested in-gel with trypsin and characterized by matrix assisted laser desorptioin/ionization-mass spectrometry and tandem electrospray mass spectrometry. Using these techniques, 124 spots including contractile proteins and metabolic enzymes were identified. This database should provide a valuable resource for the definition of the functional properties of muscle fibres and for assessment of the influence of e.g., hypoxia, ischaemia and ageing on protein level.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism for p53 mutation by a combination of neutral pH buffer and temperature gradient in capillary electrophoresis.

A large number of point mutations in the p53 gene have been detected by capillary zone electrophoresis via single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. A much improved detection sensitivity was obtained via the following modifications in running conditions: use of low-viscosity 3% hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), a neutral pH (pH 6.8) buffer, in which the standard Tris moiety was substituted with a 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES)/Tris mixture, use of SYBR Green II for improved fluorescent signal at the lower pH adopted; and, finally, the use of a temperature gradient in the 15-25 degrees C interval, for favoring the conformational transitions in the mutated samples. The typical temperature gradient activated had a slope of 2 degrees C/min and were induced externally. A total of 24 samples from affected patients, both in the homo- and heterozygous state, were analyzed. All the mutations could be detected by this improved protocol, raising the sensitivity from the standard ca. 80% of conventional SSCP to essentially 100% with the present methodology. All the mutations were confirmed by sequence analysis of the affected samples.