Electrophoretic Analysis of Replication Through Structure-Prone DNA Repeats Within the SV40-Based Human Episome

Summary

Here, we outline the procedure for analyzing replication progression through pathogenic, structure-prone repeats using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Abstract

Two-dimensional neutral/neutral gel-electrophoresis (2DGE) emerged as a benchmark technique to analyze DNA replication through natural impediments. This protocol describes how to analyze replication fork progression through structure-prone, expandable DNA repeats within the simian virus 40 (SV40)-based episome in human cells. In brief, upon plasmid transfection into human cells, replication intermediates are isolated by the modified Hirt protocol and treated with the DpnI restriction enzyme to remove non-replicated DNA. Intermediates are then digested by appropriate restriction enzymes to place the repeat of interest within the origin-distal half of a 3-5 kb-long DNA fragment. The replication intermediates are separated into two perpendicular dimensions, first by size and then by shape. Following Southern blot hybridization, this approach allows researchers to observe fork stalling at various structure-forming repeats on the descending half of the replication Y-arc. Furthermore, this positioning of the stall site allows the visualization of various outcomes of repeat-mediated fork stalling, such as fork reversal, the advent of a converging fork, and recombinational fork restart.

Introduction

Short tandem repeats (STR) are small, typically 2-9 base pairs (bp), repetitive sequences of DNA that constitute around 3% of the human genome¹. STR play an important role in gene regulation²; however, their repetitive composition leaves them prone to non-canonical DNA secondary structure formation and subsequent genetic instability^3,4. From left-handed helices to hairpins/cruciforms, to three and four-stranded helices, these alternative DNA structures cause intrinsic challenges for the replisome. A natural prerequisite for secondary structure formation is DNA un....

Protocol

NOTE: The plasmid designed for our outlined 2DGE analysis in mammalian cells should contain an SV40 origin of replication several kb upstream of structure-prone repeats (Figure 2). Leading and lagging synthesis should be kept in mind when choosing what orientation relative to the origin the repeats should be cloned into the plasmid.

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Discussion

2DGE provides a semi-quantitative and comprehensive image of the relative populations of intermediates that arise during the replication of a particular sequence. Given that the fragile molecular structures of replication forks must be maintained throughout this procedure, great care should be implemented to prevent physical shearing and chemical denaturation. Therefore, it is highly recommended that any alkaline treatment be avoided during plasmid isolation. To avoid this, we and others have implemented a modified form .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10x TBE Buffer	Bio Rad	1610733
20x SSC Buffer	Fisher Scientific	BP1325-1
293T cells	ATCC	CRL-3216
a-32P dATP, 3000 Ci/mmol	Revvity	BLU512H250UC
Agarose	Fisher Scientific	BP160-500
Amersham Hybond-N+	Fisher Scientific	RPN303B
BAS Storage Phosphor Screens	Fisher Scientific	28956482
Church and Gibert's hybriddization buffer	Fisher Scientific	50-103-5408
DecaLabel DNA labeling kit	ThermoFisher Scientific	K0622
DMEM, high gluctose, GltaMAX Supplement, pyruvate	ThermoFisher Scientific	10569010
DpnI	New England Biolabs	R0176S	Additional restriction enzymes will need to be purchased as well
EDTA 0.5 M, pH 8	Fisher Scientific	BP2482500
Ethanol, 70%	Fisher Scientific	BP82031GAL
Fetal Bovine Serum	VWR	97068-085
Hydrochloric acid solution, 12 M	Millipore Sigma	13-1683
Isopropanol	Fisher Scientific	BP26184
jetPRIME DNA and siRNA Transfection Reagent with Buffer	VWR	101000027
MycoZap Plus-CL	VWR	75870-448
NaCl	Millipore Sigma	746398-500G
Nalgene Oak Ridge High-Speed Centrifuge Tubes	ThermoFisher Scientific	3139-0050
Phosphate Buffer Saline, pH 7.4	ThermoFisher Scientific	10010023
Phosphate Buffer Saline, pH 7.5	ThermoFisher Scientific	10010024
Proteinase K	ThermoFisher Scientific	EO0491
Proteinase K	ThermoFisher Scientific	EO0492
Pure Cellulose Chromatography Paper	Fisher Scientific	05-714-4
Pure Cellulose Chromatography Paper	Fisher Scientific	05-714-5
Ruler	Fisher Scientific	09-016
Scalpel	Fisher Scientific	12-460-451
Sodium dodecyl sulfate	Millipore Sigma	436143-25G
Sodium hydroxide	Fisher Scientific	S25548
Sorval LYNX 4000 Superspeed Centrifuge	ThermoFisher Scientific	75006580
Sub-cell Horizontal Electrophoresis System	Bio Rad	1704401
TH13-6 x 50 Swinging Bucket Rotor	ThermoFisher Scientific	75003010
Tris-HCl 1 M, pH 7.5	Fisher Scientific	BP1757-500
Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%), phenol red	ThermoFisher Scientific	25200056