Name: hox loci focused crispr/sgrna library screening identifying critical ctcf boundaries
Uploaded: 2019-03-31T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries at JoVE.com

The authors also thank Nicholas Cesari for editing the manuscript. The work was supported by grants from National Institute of Health (S.H., R01DK110108, R01CA204044).

&#8203;1. CTCF sgRNALibrary Design Using an Online Tool
<ol>
	<li>Design the sgRNA targeting CTCF binding sites in the human HOX loci using the genetic perturbation platform (GPP) designer tool (https://portals.broadinstitute.org/gpp/public/analysis-tools/sgrna-design).</li>
	<li>Synthesize a total of 1,070 sgRNAs consisting of sgRNAs targeting 303 random targeting genes, 60 positive controls, 500 non-Human-targeting controls, and 207 CTCF elements or lncRNA targeting genes (Figure 1</stro...

<ol>
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Protein-coding gene related sgRNA libraries have been applied in a functional screening system to identifying genes and networks regulating specific cellular functions through sgRNA enrichment24,25,26,27,28. Several non-coding region related sgRNA libraries were also shown in gene-specific functional screens for distal and proximal regulating elements, includi...

Recent genome interaction studies revealed that the human nuclear genome forms stable topologically associating domains (TADs) that are conserved across cell types and species. The organization of the genome into separate domains facilitates and restricts interactions between regulatory elements (e.g., enhancers and promoters). The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binds to TAD boundaries and plays a critical role in constraining interactions of DNA elements that are located in neighboring TADs1. However, genome wide CTCF binding data revealed that although CTCF mostly interacts with the same DNA-sites in different cell types, it often functions as a chromatin barrier at a specific site in one cell type but not in the other, suggesting that CTCF functions together with other activities in the formation of chromatin boundaries2. What remains unknown is whether the boundary elements (CTCF-binding sites) are directly linked to the biological function of CTCF, and how these links occur. Therefore, we hypothesize that specific CTCF binding sites in the genome directly regulate the formation of TADs and control promoter/enhancer interactions within these domains or between neighboring domains. The completion of the human and mouse genome sequencing projects and subsequent epigenetic analyses have uncovered new molecular and genetic signatures of the genome. However, the role of specific signatures/modifications in gene regulation and cellular function, as well as their molecular mechanism(s), have yet to be fully understood.
Multiple lines of evidence support that the CTCF-mediated TADs represent functional chromatin domains3,4,5. Although CTCF mostly interacts with the same DNA-sites in different cell types, genome wide CTCF ChIP-seq data revealed that CTCF often functions as a chromatin barrier in one cell type but not in the other2. CTCF plays an essential role during development by mediating genome organization4,6,7. Disruption of CTCF boundaries impaired enhancer/promoter interactions and gene expression, leading to developmental blockage. This suggests that CTCF mediated TADs are not only structural components, but also regulatory units required for proper enhancer action and gene transcription5,8,9.
HOX genes play critical roles during embryonic development and they are temporally and spatially restricted in their expression patterns. The HOXA locus forms two stable TADs separating anterior and posterior genes by a CTCF-associated boundary element in both hESCs and IMR90 cells1. Recent reports demonstrated that HoxBlinc, a HoxB locus associated lncRNA, mediates the formation of CTCF directed TADs and enhancer/promoter interactions in the HOXB locus. This leads to anterior HOXB gene activation during ESC commitment and differentiation10. Furthermore, at specific gene loci including the HOXA locus, alteration of CTCF mediated TAD domains changed lineage specific gene expression profiles and was associated with the development of disease states11,12. The evidence supports a primary function for CTCF in coordinating gene transcription and determining cell identity by organizing the genome into functional domains.
Despite its role in the embryonic development, during hematopoiesis, HOX genes regulate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HS/PC) function. This is done by controlling the balance between proliferation and differentiation10,13,14,15. The expression of HOX genes is tightly regulated throughout the specification and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, with highest expression in HS/PCs. HOX gene expression gradually decreases during maturation, with its lowest levels occurring in differentiated hematopoietic cells16. HOX gene dysregulation is a dominant mechanism of leukemic transformation by dysregulating self-renewal and differentiation properties of HS/PCs leading to leukemic transformation17,18. However, the mechanism of establishing and maintaining normal vs. oncogenic expression patterns of HOX genes as well as associated regulatory networks remains unclear.
CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA library screening has been widely used to interrogate protein-coding genes19 as well as non-coding genes, such as lncRNA20 and miRNA21 in different species. However, the cost to use the CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA library to identify new genomic targets remains high, because high-throughput genome sequencing is often applied to verify the sgRNA library screening. Our sgRNA screening system is focused on the specific genome loci and evaluates the targeting sgRNAs through one-step RT-PCR according to the marker gene expression, such as HOXA9. Additionally, Sanger sequencing confirmed that the sgRNA was integrated into the genome, and Indel mutations can be detected to identify the sgRNA targeting site. Through the loci-specific CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screening, the CBS7/9 chromatin boundary has been identified as a critical regulator for establishing oncogenic chromatin domain and maintaining ectopic HOX gene expression patterns in AML pathogenesis12. The method can be widely applied to identify not only specific function of CTCF boundary in embryonic development, hematopoiesis, leukemogenesis, but also CTCF boundary as potential therapeutic targets for future epigenetic therapy.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:263px;">Lipofectamine 3000 reagent</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">L3000-008</td>
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			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Puromycin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A1113802</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Stbl3 cells&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>&#160;C737303</td>
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			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-3216</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MOLM-13</td>
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			<td>ACC 554</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">lentiCRISPRv2</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">pMD2.G</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
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			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12260</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">pGEM&#174;-T Easy Vector Systems&#160;</td>
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			<td>A137A</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">T4 ligase&#160;</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>&#160;M0202S</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">QIAquick Gel Extract kit</td>
			<td>QIAGEN</td>
			<td>28706</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">QIAuick PCR purification kit</td>
			<td>QIAGEN</td>
			<td>28106</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">SingleShot&#8482; SYBR&#174;&#160;Green One-Step Kit</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad Laboratories</td>
			<td>1725095</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:263px;">QIAGEN Plasmid Maxi Kit</td>
			<td>QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">12163</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle Medium&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">&#160;11965084</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">RPMI 1640&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">11875093</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fetal bovine serum (FBS)&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">10-082-147</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Penicillin/streptomycin/L-glutamine&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">10378016</td>
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			<td style="width:155px;">Clontech</td>
			<td style="width:100px;">631232</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:263px;">Trypan Blue Solution</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:263px;">Polybrene</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td>sc-134220</td>
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hox loci focused crispr/sgrna library screening identifying critical ctcf boundaries

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-mediated stable topologically associating domains (TADs) play a critical role in constraining interactions of DNA elements that are located in neighboring TADs. CTCF plays an important role in regulating the spatial and temporal expression of HOX genes that control embryonic development, body patterning, hematopoiesis, and leukemogenesis. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how HOX loci associated CTCF boundaries regulate chromatin organization and HOX gene expression. In the current protocol, a specific sgRNA pooled library targeting all CTCF binding sites in the HOXA/B/C/D loci has been generated to examine the effects of disrupting CTCF-associated chromatin boundaries on TAD formation and HOX gene expression. Through CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screening, the CTCF binding site located between HOXA7/HOXA9 genes (CBS7/9) has been identified as a critical regulator of oncogenic chromatin domain, as well as being important for maintaining ectopic HOX gene expression patterns in MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thus, this sgRNA library screening approach provides novel insights into CTCF mediated genome organization in specific gene loci and also provides a basis for the functional characterization of the annotated genetic regulatory elements, both coding and noncoding, during normal biological processes in the post-human genome project era.

CRISPR-Cas9 technology is a powerful research tool for functional genomic studies. It is rapidly replacing conventional gene editing techniques and has high utility for both genome-wide and individual gene-focused applications. Here, the first individually cloned loci-specific CRISPR-Cas9-arrayed sgRNA library contains 1,070 sgRNAs consisting of sgRNAs targeting 303 random targeting genes, 60 positive controls, 500 non-Human-targeting controls, and 207 CTCF elements or lncRNA targeting ge...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries at JoVE.com

HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries

A CRISPR/sgRNA library has been applied to interrogating protein-coding genes.However, the feasibility of a sgRNA library to uncover the function of a CTCF boundary in gene regulation remains unexplored. Here, we describe a HOX loci specific sgRNA library to elucidate the function of CTCF boundaries in HOX loci.

HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-mediated stable topologically associating domains (TADs) play a critical role in constraining interactions of DNA elements ...

Our pooled sgRNA called the library screening, is a powerful genetic approach to identify and evaluate the biological function of the noncoding elements throughout the genome. This technique allows us to examine the effect of disrupting the binding sites associated, chromatic boundaries or other regulatory elements on targeted genes expression. Our approach can be used to identify the role of CTCF, long non-coding RNAs and enhancers, in HOX gene regulation in early embryonic development, as well as certain leukemias with an aberrant HOX gene signature.Begin this procedure with the design of an sgRNA targeting CTCF binding sites. Cloning of the sgRNA library in cell preparation as described in the text protocol. To package the lentivirus, cotransfect HEK293 T cells with 20 micrograms of purified library vectors, 15 micrograms of the packaged plasmid, and 10 micrograms of the envelope plasmid, for 48 hours before harvesting the viruses.After 48 hours, collect the virus supernatant and filter it through a 0.45 micron low-protein binding PVDF membrane. Next, concentrate the lentiviral supernatant by 50 fold, using the concentrator. Aliquot the concentrated viruses and store them in a minus 80 degrees celsius freezer.Work in separate wells of a 12 well plate to mix MOLM13 cells with various doses of the concentrated lentivirus for six total groups. Immediately centrifuge these mixtures at 1000 times g for two hours at 33 degrees celsius. Transfer the 12 well plates back to the incubator at 37 degrees celsius and 5%carbon dioxide for four hours.Gently aspirate the supernatant without disturbing the cell palette, and re-suspend the transduced cells with fresh supplemented RPMI 1640 Medium. Then transfer the re-suspended cells to T25 flasks and incubate at 37 degrees celsius for 48 hours without puromycin. After 48 hours split these cells into two flasks, an experimental group treated with one microliter per milliliter puromycin for five days, and a control group without puromycin treatment for five days.Measure the optimized MOI value for transduction by dividing the number of live cells treated with puromycin by the number of cells without puromycin treatment. To transduce the cells with the pooled library, infect 1.5 million MOLM13 cells in a 6 well plate with 0.3 MOI of sgRNA pooled lentivirus in medium. Use the cells without the lentivirus infection as a control.Immediately centrifuge the six well plate at 1000 times g for two hours at 33 degrees celsius to spinfect the cells. Then, transfer the plates back to the incubator at 37 degrees celsius in 5%carbon dioxide for four hours. Gently aspirate supernatant without disturbing the cell palette, and re-suspend the transduced cells with fresh medium.Then, transfer the cells to T25 flasks and incubate at 37 degrees celsius for 48 hours without puromycin. After 48 hours, treat the cells with one microgram per milliliter puromycin for five days. Exchange for fresh medium after two days and maintain an optimal cell density.Seed the single clone in 96 well plates with limiting dilution methods. Incubate these single clone at 37 degrees celsius and 5%carbon dioxide. Culture them for 3-4 weeks.Count the sgRNA integrated MOLM13 cells with 0.4%Trypan Blue solution staining and then transfer 10, 000 live cells per well to a 96 well PCR plate. Centrifuge the plate at 1000 times g for five minutes and then thoroughly remove and discard the supernatant with a pipette. Avoid disturbing the cell palette.After washing the cells as described in the text add 50 microliters of the cell lysis master mix to each well. Pipette up and down five times to re-suspend the cell palette. Incubate the mix for 10 minutes at room temperature.Then, transfer the mixture to 37 degrees celsius for five minutes, and then 75 degrees celsius for an additional five minutes. Now add one microliter of cell lysate to the PCR wells containing the RT qPCR reaction mix. This mix includes the marker genes forward and reverse primer, reverse transcriptase and One-Step reaction mix.Run the reverse transcription reaction for 10 minutes at 50 degrees celsius followed by polymerization activation, and DNA-denaturation for one minute at 95 degrees celsius. Perform RT PCR with 40 cycles of PCR reaction as detailed in the text protocol. Verify the HOXA9 decreased expression clones through Sanger sequencing and perform PCR with MOLM13 genome DNA as described in the text protocol.Extract and purify the PCR products with the PCR purification kit. Ligate the purified PCR products into the T vector with T4 ligation buffer, T vector DNA, PCR DNA and T4 ligase. Place the ligation mix into an incubator at 16 degrees celsius overnight.Transfer the ligation mix into DH5 alpha competent cells and plate on an LB ampicillin antibiotic agar plate. Incubate the plates overnight at 37 degrees celsius. Pick the single clones from the LB plate and verify them by genotyping and Sanger sequencing.Set up the heteroduplex mixture group with 200 nanograms of the reference, and 200 nanograms of test PCR amplicons in a 0.2 milliliter PCR tube. Include the homoduplex mixture group with only 400 nanograms of reference PCR amplicons as a control. Separately incubate the heteroduplex and homoduplex mixture at 95 degrees celsius for five minutes in a one liter beaker filled with 800 milliliters of water.Then, cool down the mixtures gradually to room temperature to anneal and form the heteroduplex or homoduplex. Now, separately digest 400 nanograms of the annealed heteroduplex and homoduplex mixture with one microliter of indel mutation detection nuclease, and two microliters of nuclease reaction buffer at 42 degrees celsius for 60 minutes. Analyze the digested samples with agarose gel electrophoresis.The heteroduplex mixture DNA should be cut into small fragments and the homoduplex DNA should not be cut. sgRNA targeting MOLM13 positive clones were confirmed with the RT qPCR method, based on the expression levels of HOXA9 genes with the comparison with the control cells. Out of the 528 surviving clones screened, 10 clones exhibited more than 50%reduction in HOXA9 levels.sgRNAs integrated into the HOXA9 reduced, HOXA9 unchanged and HOXA9 increased clones, were further confirmed by PCR amplification of the sgRNA and identification by Sanger sequence. Six of ten clones showing a reduction in HOXA9 levels contained sgRNAs targeting the CBS79 site, as determined by Sanger sequencing. Indel mutations of integrated sgRNA positive clones were determined by PCR-based genotyping and nuclease digestion.The heterozygous deletion of the CTCF site located between HOXA7 and HOXA9 genes was identified by PCR-based genotyping. HOXA9-decreased clones five, six, 28 and 121 exhibited deletion in the CBS79 boundary location. Similar results were observed for the indel mutations in the CBS79 site that were analyzed by the nuclease digestion assay.When performing this procedure, it's important to make equal amounts of heteroduplexes and homoduplexes in order to detect sgRNA-induced indel mutations through the nuclease digestion assay. Our approach enables utilization of the selected marker, to carry out next-generation sequencing on the target gene to discover the gene's effects on leukemogenesis. Overall our approach prevents RPC's for the functional correct and reduction of a noted genetic irregular elements during normal biological process and leukemogenesis in the posthumous genome project error.

hox-loci-focused-crisprsgrna-library-screening-identifying-critical

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

A Universal Protocol for Large-scale gRNA Library Production from any DNA Source

The popularity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for both genome and epigenome engineering stems from its simplicity and adaptability. An effector (the Cas9 nuclease or a nuclease-dead dCas9 fusion protein) is targeted to a specific site in the genome by a small synthetic RNA known as the guide RNA, or gRNA. The bipartite nature of the CRISPR system enables its use in screening approaches since plasmid libraries containing expression cassettes of thousands of individual gRNAs can be used to interrogate many different sites in a single experiment. 
To date, gRNA sequences for the construction of libraries have been almost exclusively generated by oligonucleotide synthesis, which limits the achievable complexity of sequences in the library and is relatively cost-intensive. Here, a detailed protocol for CORALINA (comprehensive gRNA library generation through controlled nuclease activity), a simple and cost-effective method for the generation of highly complex gRNA libraries based on enzymatic digestion of input DNA, is described. Since CORALINA libraries can be generated from any source of DNA, plenty of options for customization exist, enabling a large variety of CRISPR-based screens.

Methods for generating large-scale gRNA libraries should be simple, efficient and cost-effective. We describe a protocol for the production of gRNA libraries based on enzymatic digestion of target DNA. This method, CORALINA (comprehensive gRNA library generation through controlled nuclease activity) presents an alternative to costly custom oligonucleotide synthesis.

The popularity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for both genome and epigenome engineering stems from its simplicity and adaptability. An effector (the Cas9 ...

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

Numerous techniques have been developed to follow the progress of DNA replication through the S phase of the cell cycle. Most of these techniques have been directed toward elucidation of the location and timing of initiation of genome duplication rather than its completion. However, it is critical that we understand regions of the genome that are last to complete replication, because these regions suffer elevated levels of chromosomal breakage and mutation, and they have been associated with both disease and aging. Here we describe how we have extended a technique that has been used to monitor replication initiation to instead identify those regions of the genome last to complete replication. This approach is based on a combination of flow cytometry and high throughput sequencing. Although this report focuses on the application of this technique to yeast, the approach can be used with any cells that can be sorted in a flow cytometer according to DNA content.

We describe a technique for combining flow cytometry and high throughput sequencing to identify late replicating regions of the genome.

Numerous techniques have been developed to follow the progress of DNA replication through the S phase of the cell cycle. Most of these techniques have ...

Robust DNA Isolation and High-throughput Sequencing Library Construction for Herbarium Specimens

Herbaria are an invaluable source of plant material that can be used in a variety of biological studies. The use of herbarium specimens is associated with a number of challenges including sample preservation quality, degraded DNA, and destructive sampling of rare specimens. In order to more effectively use herbarium material in large sequencing projects, a dependable and scalable method of DNA isolation and library preparation is needed. This paper demonstrates a robust, beginning-to-end protocol for DNA isolation and high-throughput library construction from herbarium specimens that does not require modification for individual samples. This protocol is tailored for low quality dried plant material and takes advantage of existing methods by optimizing tissue grinding, modifying library size selection, and introducing an optional reamplification step for low yield libraries. Reamplification of low yield DNA libraries can rescue samples derived from irreplaceable and potentially valuable herbarium specimens, negating the need for additional destructive sampling and without introducing discernible sequencing bias for common phylogenetic applications. The protocol has been tested on hundreds of grass species, but is expected to be adaptable for use in other plant lineages after verification. This protocol can be limited by extremely degraded DNA, where fragments do not exist in the desired size range, and by secondary metabolites present in some plant material that inhibit clean DNA isolation. Overall, this protocol introduces a fast and comprehensive method that allows for DNA isolation and library preparation of 24 samples in less than 13 h, with only 8 h of active hands-on time with minimal modifications.

This article demonstrates a detailed protocol for DNA isolation and high-throughput sequencing library construction from herbarium material including rescue of exceptionally poor-quality DNA.

Herbaria are an invaluable source of plant material that can be used in a variety of biological studies. The use of herbarium specimens is associated with ...

Retrospective MicroRNA Sequencing: Complementary DNA Library Preparation Protocol Using Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded RNA Specimens

&#8211;Archived, clinically classified formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues can provide nucleic acids for retrospective molecular studies of cancer development. By using non-invasive or pre-malignant lesions from patients who later develop invasive disease, gene expression analyses may help identify early molecular alterations that predispose to cancer risk. It has been well described that nucleic acids recovered from FFPE tissues have undergone severe physical damage and chemical modifications, which make their analysis difficult and generally requires adapted assays. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), however, which represent a small class of RNA molecules spanning only up to ~18&#8211;24 nucleotides, have been shown to withstand long-term storage and have been successfully analyzed in FFPE samples. Here we present a 3&#39; barcoded complementary DNA (cDNA) library preparation protocol specifically optimized for the analysis of small RNAs extracted from archived tissues, which was recently demonstrated to be robust and highly reproducible when using archived clinical specimens stored for up to 35 years. This library preparation is well adapted to the multiplex analysis of compromised/degraded material where RNA samples (up to 18) are ligated with individual 3&#39; barcoded adapters and then pooled together for subsequent enzymatic and biochemical preparations prior to analysis. All purifications are performed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), which allows size-specific selections and enrichments of barcoded small RNA species. This cDNA library preparation is well adapted to minute RNA inputs, as a pilot polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows determination of a specific amplification cycle to produce optimal amounts of material for next-generation sequencing (NGS). This approach was optimized for the use of degraded FFPE RNA from specimens archived for up to 35 years and provides highly reproducible NGS data.

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens represent a valuable source of molecular biomarkers of human diseases. Here we present a laboratory-based cDNA library preparation protocol, initially designed with fresh frozen RNA, and optimized for the analysis of archived microRNAs from tissues stored up to 35 years.

&#8211;Archived, clinically classified formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues can provide nucleic acids for retrospective molecular studies of ...

Ultralow Input Genome Sequencing Library Preparation from a Single Tardigrade Specimen

Tardigrades are microscopic animals that enter an ametabolic state called anhydrobiosis when facing desiccation and can return to their original state when water is supplied. The genomic sequencing of microscopic animals such as tardigrades risks bacterial contamination that sometimes leads to erroneous interpretations, for example, regarding the extent of horizontal gene transfer in these animals. Here, we provide an ultralow input method to sequence the genome of the tardigrade, Hypsibius dujardini, from a single specimen. By employing rigorous washing and contaminant exclusion along with an efficient extraction of the 50 ~ 200 pg genomic DNA from a single individual, we constructed a library sequenced with a DNA sequencing instrument. These libraries were highly reproducible and unbiased, and an informatics analysis of the sequenced reads with other H. dujardini genomes showed a minimal amount of contamination. This method can be applied to unculturable tardigrades that could not be sequenced using previous methods.

Contamination during the genomic sequencing of microscopic organisms remains a large problem. Here, we show a method to sequence the genome of a tardigrade from a single specimen with as little as 50 pg of genomic DNA without whole genome amplification to minimize the risk of contamination.

Tardigrades are microscopic animals that enter an ametabolic state called anhydrobiosis when facing desiccation and can return to their original state ...

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent a heterogeneous group of lung diseases which continues to have a high morbidity and mortality. The molecular pathogenesis of ALI is being better defined; however, because of the complex nature of the disease molecular therapies have yet to be developed. Here we use a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced mouse model of acute septic lung injury to delineate the role of exosomes in the inflammatory response. Using this model, we were able to show that mice that are exposed to intraperitoneal LPS secrete exosomes in Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from the lungs that are packaged with miRNA and cytokines which regulate inflammatory response. Further using a co-culture model system, we show that exosomes released from macrophages disrupt expression of tight junction proteins in bronchial epithelial cells. These results suggest that 1) cross talk between innate immune and structural cells through the exosomal shuttling contribute to the inflammatory response and disruption of the structural barrier and 2) targeting these miRNAs may provide a novel platform to treat ALI and ARDS.

Mice exposed to intraperitoneal LPS secrete exosomes in Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid that are packaged with miRNAs. Using a co-culture system, we show that exosomes released in the BAL fluid disrupt expression of tight junction proteins in bronchial epithelial cells and increase expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines that accentuate lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent a heterogeneous group of lung diseases which continues to have a high ...

Mating-based Overexpression Library Screening in Yeast

Budding yeast has been widely used as a model in studying proteins associated with human diseases. Genome-wide genetic screening is a powerful tool commonly used in yeast studies. The expression of a number of neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins in yeast causes cytotoxicity and aggregate formation, recapitulating findings seen in patients with these disorders. Here, we describe a method for screening a yeast model of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-associated protein FUS for modifiers of its toxicity. Instead of using transformation, this new screening platform relies on the mating of yeast to introduce an arrayed library of plasmids into the yeast model. The mating method has two clear advantages: first, it is highly efficient; second, the pre-transformed arrayed library of plasmids can be stored for long-term as a glycerol stock, and quickly applied to other screens without the labor-intensive step of transformation into the yeast model each time. We demonstrate how this method can successfully be used to screen for genes that modify the toxicity of FUS.

This article presents a mating-based method to facilitate overexpression screening in budding yeast using an arrayed plasmid library.

Budding yeast has been widely used as a model in studying proteins associated with human diseases. Genome-wide genetic screening is a powerful tool ...

Screening Cotton Genotypes for Reniform Nematode Resistance

A rapid non-destructive reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) screening protocol is needed for the development of resistant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) varieties to improve nematode management. Most protocols involve extracting vermiform nematodes or eggs from the cotton root system or potting soil to determine population density or reproduction rate. These approaches are generally time-consuming with a small number of genotypes evaluated. An alternative approach is described here in which the root system is visually examined for nematode infection. The protocol involves inoculating cotton seedling 7 days after planting with vermiform nematodes and determining the number of females attached to the root system 28 days after inoculation. Data are expressed as the number of females per gram of fresh root weight to adjust for variation in root growth. The protocol provides an excellent method for evaluating host-plant resistance associated with the ability of the nematode to establish an infection site; however, resistance that hinders nematode reproduction is not assessed. As with other screening protocols, variation is commonly observed in nematode infection among individual genotypes within and between experiments. Data are presented to illustrate the range of variation observed using the protocol. To adjust for this variation, control genotypes are included in experiments. Nonetheless, the protocol provides a simple and rapid method to evaluate host-plant resistance. The protocol has been successfully used to identify resistant accessions from the G. arboreum germplasm collection and evaluate segregating populations of more than 300 individuals to determine the genetics of resistance. A vegetative propagation method for recovering plants for resistance breeding was also developed. After removal of the root system for nematode evaluation, the vegetative shoot is replanted to allow the development of a new root system. More than 95% of the shoots typically develop a new root system with plants reaching maturity.

Here, a protocol is presented for the rapid non-destructive screening of cotton genotypes for reniform nematode resistance. The protocol involves visually examining the roots of nematode-infected cotton seedlings to determine infection response. The vegetative shoot from each plant is then propagated to recover plants for seed production.

A rapid non-destructive reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) screening protocol is needed for the development of resistant cotton (Gossypium ...

Identifying Mutations by High Resolution Melting in a TILLING Population of Rice

Target Induced Local Lesions In Genomes (TILLING) is a strategy of reverse genetics for the high-throughput screening of induced mutations. However, the TILLING system has less applicability for insertion/deletion (Indel) detection and traditional TILLING needs more complex steps, like CEL I nuclease digestion and gel electrophoresis. To improve the throughput and selection efficiency, and to make the screening of both Indels and single base substitions (SBSs) possible, a new high-resolution melting (HRM)-based TILLING system is developed. Here, we present a detailed HRM-TILLING protocol and show its application in mutation screening. This method can analyze the mutations of PCR amplicons by measuring the denaturation of double-stranded DNA at high temperatures. HRM analysis is directly performed post-PCR without additional processing. Moreover, a simple, safe and fast (SSF) DNA extraction method is integrated with HRM-TILLING to identify both Indels and SBSs. Its simplicity, robustness and high throughput make it potentially useful for mutation scanning in rice and other crops.

In this article, we present the protocol that is described as high-resolution melting analysis (HRM)-based Target Induced Local Lesions In Genomes (TILLING). This method utilizes fluorescence changes during the melting of the DNA duplex and is suitable for high-throughput screening of both insertion/deletion (Indel) and single base substition (SBS).

Target Induced Local Lesions In Genomes (TILLING) is a strategy of reverse genetics for the high-throughput screening of induced mutations. However, the ...

A Screening Method for Identification of Heterochromatin-Promoting Drugs Using Drosophila

Drosophila is an excellent model organism that can be used to screen compounds that might be useful for cancer therapy. The method described here is a cost-effective in vivo method to identify heterochromatin-promoting compounds by using Drosophila. The Drosophila&#39;s DX1 strain, having a variegated eye color phenotype that reflects the extents of heterochromatin formation, thereby providing a tool for a heterochromatin-promoting drug screen. In this screening method, eye variegation is quantified based on the surface area of red pigmentation occupying parts of the eye and is scored on a scale from 1 to 5. The screening method is straightforward and sensitive and allows for testing compounds in vivo. Drug screening using this method provides a fast and inexpensive way for identifying heterochromatin-promoting drugs that could have beneficial effects in cancer therapeutics. Identifying compounds that promote the formation of heterochromatin could also lead to the discovery of epigenetic mechanisms of cancer development.

A Screening Method for Identification of Heterochromatin-Promoting Drugs Using Drosophila

Drosophila is a widely used experimental model suitable for screening drugs with potential applications for cancer therapy. Here, we describe the use of Drosophila variegated eye color phenotypes as a method for screening small-molecule compounds that promote heterochromatin formation.

Drosophila is an excellent model organism that can be used to screen compounds that might be useful for cancer therapy. The method described here is a ...