Name: visualization of surface-tethered large dna molecules with a fluorescent protein dna binding peptide
Uploaded: 2016-06-23T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Visualization of Surface-tethered Large DNA Molecules with a Fluorescent Protein DNA Binding Peptide at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Sogang University Research Grant of 201410036.

1. DNA Biotinylation
<ol>
	<li>Biotinylation of blunt ended DNA using Terminal Transferase (TdT) 
	Note: Use T4 DNA (166 kbp), which is a blunt ended DNA.
	<ol>
		<li>Add 5 &#181;l of 2.5 mM CoCl2, 5 &#181;l of 10&#215; reaction buffer, 0.5 &#181;l of 10 mM biotin-11-dUTP, 0.5 &#181;l of terminal transferase (10 units), and 0.5 &#181;l of T4 DNA (0.5 &#181;g/&#181;l) to the reaction mixture. Make to a final volume of 50 &#181;l by adding 38.5 &#181;l of water.</li>
		<li>Incubate the re...

<ol>
	<li>Smith, S. B., Finzi, L., Bustamante, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+Mechanical+Measurements+of+the+Elasticity+of+Single+DNA-Molecules+by+Using+Magnetic+Beads.">Direct Mechanical Measurements of the Elasticity of Single DNA-Molecules by Using Magnetic Beads.</a> Science. 258 (5085), 1122-1126 (1992).</li><li>Finkelstein, I. J., Visnapuu, M. -. L., Greene, E. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-molecule+imaging+reveals+mechanisms+of+protein+disruption+by+a+DNA+translocase.">Single-molecule imaging reveals mechanisms of protein disruption by a DNA translocase.</a> Nature. 468 (7326), 983-987 (2010).</li><li>Doyle, P. S., Ladoux, B., Viovy, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamics+of+a+tethered+polymer+in+shear+flow.">Dynamics of a tethered polymer in shear flow.</a> Phys. Rev. Lett. 84 (20), 4769-4772 (2000).</li><li>Perkins, T. T., Quake, S. R., Smith, D. E., Chu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Relaxation+of+a+Single+DNA+Molecule+Observed+by+Optical+Microscopy.">Relaxation of a Single DNA Molecule Observed by Optical Microscopy.</a> Science. 264 (5160), 822-826 (1994).</li><li>Cai, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ordered+restriction+endonuclease+maps+of+yeast+artificial+chromosomes+created+by+optical+mapping+on+surfaces.">Ordered restriction endonuclease maps of yeast artificial chromosomes created by optical mapping on surfaces.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 (11), 5164-5168 (1995).</li><li>Kim, Y., Jo, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutravidin+coated+surfaces+for+single+DNA+molecule+analysis.">Neutravidin coated surfaces for single DNA molecule analysis.</a> Chem. Comm. 47 (22), 6248-6250 (2011).</li><li>Kim, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanochannel+confinement:+DNA+stretch+approaching+full+contour+length.">Nanochannel confinement: DNA stretch approaching full contour length.</a> Lab on a Chip. 11 (10), 1721-1729 (2011).</li><li>Glazer, A. N., Rye, H. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stable+dye-DNA+intercalation+complexes+as+reagents+for+high-sensitivity+fluorescence+detection.">Stable dye-DNA intercalation complexes as reagents for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection.</a> Nature. 359 (6398), 859-861 (1992).</li><li>Graneli, A., Yeykal, C. C., Prasad, T. K., Greene, E. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organized+arrays+of+individual+DNA+molecules+tethered+to+supported+lipid+bilayers.">Organized arrays of individual DNA molecules tethered to supported lipid bilayers.</a> Langmuir. 22 (1), 292-299 (2006).</li><li>Lee, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=DNA+binding+fluorescent+proteins+for+the+direct+visualization+of+large+DNA+molecules.">DNA binding fluorescent proteins for the direct visualization of large DNA molecules.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. , (2015).</li><li>Roy, R., Hohng, S., Ha, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+practical+guide+to+single-molecule+FRET.">A practical guide to single-molecule FRET.</a> Nat Methods. 5 (6), 507-516 (2008).</li><li>Chandradoss, S. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surface+passivation+for+single-molecule+protein+studies.">Surface passivation for single-molecule protein studies.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (86), e50549 (2014).</li></ol>

Here we present a platform for visualizing long DNA molecules biotinylated for anchoring on surfaces. We have reported an approach for DNA molecules tethered on an avidin protein coated surface with biotinylated bovine serum albumin.6 In the earlier approach, we found a crucial issue of DNA photo-cleavage caused by bis-intercalation dyes that stain DNA molecules tethered on the surface. As these continually excited fluorophores have a high probability to attack a DNA phosphate backbone,9 the excitat...

Visualization of large DNA molecules tethered on glass or bead surfaces has been utilized for investigating DNA-protein interactions, protein dynamics on DNA substrate,1,2 and polymer physics.3,4 A platform for single-tethered large DNA molecules has a few distinct advantages compared to other DNA immobilization methods.5 First, a large DNA molecule tethered on the surface has a natural random-coil conformation without a shear flow, which is critically important for a DNA-binding protein to recognize its binding site. Second, it is very easy to change the chemical environment around DNA molecules for a series of enzymatic reactions in a flow chamber. Third, a microfluidic shear flow induces DNA molecular stretching up to 100% of the full contour length, which is very difficult to achieve using alternative DNA elongation approaches such as surface immobilization6 and nanochannel confinement.7 A fully stretched DNA molecule also provides positional information that can be useful for monitoring enzymatic movements on the genomic map.
Nevertheless, the DNA tethering approach has a critical shortcoming in that the intercalating dye such as YOYO-1 generally causes tethered DNA molecules to be readily broken by fluorescence excitation light. Generally, large DNA molecules have to be stained with a fluorescent dye for visualization under a fluorescent microscope. For this purpose, YOYO-1 or other TOTO series dyes are primarily used because these dyes fluoresce only when they intercalate double-stranded DNA.8 However, it is well-known that bis-intercalating dye causes light-induced DNA photo-cleavage because of the intercalation of fluorophores.9 Further, fluorescently stained DNA molecules tethered on the surface are more fragile since shear flows can exert breaking forces on freely moving DNA molecules. Therefore, we developed FP-DBP as a novel DNA-staining protein dye for imaging large DNA molecules tethered on the surface. The advantage of using FP-DBP is that it does not cause photo-cleavage of the DNA molecules to which it binds.10 In addition, FP-DBP does not increase the contour length of DNA, while bis-intercalating dyes increase the contour length by about 33%.
This video method introduces the experimental approach for tethering large DNA molecules to a PEG-biotin surface. Figure 1 illustrates different approaches of tethering DNA with blunt ends and sticky ends. Thus, this staining method can be applied to any type of DNA molecule. Figure 2 depicts a schematic representation of the flow chamber assembly that can be controlled by a syringe pump to generate shear flows to stretch DNA molecules as well as to load chemical and enzyme solutions. Figure 3 demonstrates micrographs of fully stretched DNA molecules tethered on the PEGylated surface11 and stained with FP-DBP.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="925">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">1. DNA Biotinylation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">1.1) Biotinylation of blunt-end DNA using Terminal Transferase (TdT)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Terminal Transferase</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">New England Biolabs</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">M0315S</td>
			<td>Provided with 10x reaction buffer, 2.5 mM Cobalt chloride</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Biotin-11-dUTP</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">R0081</td>
			<td>Biotin-ddNTP is also available</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">T4GT7 Phage DNA</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Nippon Gene</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">318-03971</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">E6758</td>
			<td>EDTA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">1.2) Biotinylation of sticky end DNA Using DNA Ligase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">T4 DNA Ligase</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">New England Biolabs</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">M0202S</td>
			<td>Provided with 10x reaction buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:287px;">Lambda Phage DNA</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Bioneer</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">D-2510</td>
			<td>Also available at New England Biolabs</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td colspan="4" height="20" style="height:20px;width:925px;">2. Functionalized Surface Derivatization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">2.1) Piranha Cleaning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Coverslip</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Marienfeld-Superior</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">0101050</td>
			<td>22x22 mm, No. 1 Thickness</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Teflon rack</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td>Custom Fabrication</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">PTFE Thread Seal Tape</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Han Yang Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">3032292</td>
			<td>Teflon&#8482; tape</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Sulferic acid</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Jin Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">S280823</td>
			<td>H2SO4, 95 % Purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Hydrogen peroxide</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Jin Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">H290423</td>
			<td>H2O2, 35 % in water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">Sonicator</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Daihan Scientific Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">WUC-A02H</td>
			<td>Table-top Ultrasonic Cleaner</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">2.2) Aminosilanization on Glass Surface</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl] 
			ethylenediamine</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">104884</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Glacial Acetic Acid</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Duksan Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">414</td>
			<td>99 % Purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Methyl Alcohol</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Jin Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">M300318</td>
			<td>99.9 % Purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Polypropylene Container</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Qorpak</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">PLC-04907</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Ethyl Alcohol</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Jin Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">A300202</td>
			<td>99.9 % Purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">2.3) PEGylation of the coverslip</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Sodium Bicarbonate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">S5761</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Syringe Filter</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sartorius</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">16534----------K</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">Biotin-PEG-SC</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Laysan Bio</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Biotin-PEG-SC-5000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">mPEG-SVG</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Laysan Bio</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">MPEG-SVA-5000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Acetone</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Jin Chemical Co. Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">A300129</td>
			<td>99 % Purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Microscope Slides</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Marienfeld-Superior</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">1000612</td>
			<td>~76x26x1 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">3. Assembling a Flow Chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Acrylic Support</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td>Custom Fabrication</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Double-sided Tape</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">3M</td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td>Transparent type</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Quick-dry Epoxy</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">3M</td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">Polyethylene Tubing</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">06417-11, 06417-21</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Gas Tight 250 &#181;l Syringe</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Hamilton</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">81165</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:287px;">Syringe Pump</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">New Era Pump Systems Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">NE-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="4" height="21" style="height:21px;width:925px;">4. Sample Loading into Flow Chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Neutravidin</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">31000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Tris base</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">T1503-5KG</td>
			<td>Trizma base</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">IX70</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">EMCCD Camera</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Q Imaging</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Rolera EM-C2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Solid-state Laser (488 nm)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Oxxius</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">LBX488</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Alconox</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Alconox Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

visualization of surface-tethered large dna molecules with a fluorescent protein dna binding peptide

Large DNA molecules tethered on the functionalized glass surface have been utilized in polymer physics and biochemistry particularly for investigating interactions between DNA and its binding proteins. Here, we report a method that uses fluorescent microscopy for visualizing large DNA molecules tethered on the surface. First, glass coverslips are biotinylated and passivated by coating with biotinylated polyethylene glycol, which specifically binds biotinylated DNA via avidin protein linkers and significantly reduces undesirable binding from non-specific interactions of proteins or DNA molecules on the surface. Second, the DNA molecules are biotinylated by two different methods depending on their terminals. The blunt ended DNA is tagged with biotinylated dUTP at its 3' hydroxyl terminus, by terminal transferase, while the sticky ended DNA is hybridized with biotinylated complimentary oligonucleotides by DNA ligase. Finally, a microfluidic shear flow makes single DNA molecules stretch to their full contour lengths after being stained with fluorescent protein-DNA binding peptide (FP-DBP).

Figure 1 shows two different DNA tethering methods depending on terminal structures of the DNA molecule. Figure 1a illustrates how the sticky ended DNA molecules are hybridized with complementary biotinylated oligonucleotides, which are immobilized on the avidin-coated PEG surface. Figure 1b shows the addition of biotinylated ddNTP or dNTP to the 3&#39; hydroxyl group of a blunt ended DNA by terminal transferase. We added flexible linkers...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Visualization of Surface-tethered Large DNA Molecules with a Fluorescent Protein DNA Binding Peptide at JoVE.com

Visualization of Surface-tethered Large DNA Molecules with a Fluorescent Protein DNA Binding Peptide

We present an approach for visualizing fluorescent protein DNA binding peptide (FP-DBP)-stained large DNA molecules tethered on the polyethylene glycol (PEG) and avidin-coated glass surface and stretched with microfluidic shear flows.

Large DNA molecules tethered on the functionalized glass surface have been utilized in polymer physics and biochemistry particularly for investigating ...

The overall goal of this procedure, is to make a convenient DNA analysis system for an epifluorescent microscope, to manipulate single molecule DNA on modified glass surfaces. This method can help answer key questions in DNA visualization field. When examining DNA self, as well as DNA binding proteins and other small molecules.The main advantage of this technique is the ability to observe and analyze moving DNA with ease. To begin, place glass coverslips on a PTFE rack and secure them in place, using a piece of PTFE thread seal tape. After wrapping the coverslips, leave a five centimeter long piece of the tape to be used for handling the rack during the cleaning procedure.In a fume hood, combine 350 millileters of sulfuric acid and 150 milliliters of hydrogen peroxide in a one liter glass beaker to make a piranha etching solution. Then, place the rack of coverslips into the solution. After two hours, empty the beaker and rinse the coverslips thoroughly with deionized water.Continue rinsing the coverslips until the PH of water in the beaker, reaches a neutral PH.Then, sonicate the racks of coverslips in a beaker contaning water for 30 minutes, to clean and derivative the glass substrates. Empty water from the beaker, just before aminosilanization. To begin, prepare the aminosilanization solution, by adding two milliliters of alkoxysilane, and 10 milliliters glacial acetic acid to 200 milliliters of methyl alcohol in a clean, polypropylene container.Followed by placing the clean coverslips into the solution. Then, place the cleaned coverslips in the prepared solution and shake them at room temperature and 100 rpm's for 30 minutes. Next, sonicate the container with the derivatized coverslips for 15 minutes at 75 watts.Then, shake them again at room temperature and 100 rpm's for at least 30 minutes. Once finished, empty the solution from the beaker and rinse the coverslips three times, carefully. Once with methyl alcohol and twice with ethyl alcohol.Following the final rinse, store the coverslips in ethyl alcohol and use them within two weeks. First, make 10 milliliters of a 0.1 molars sodium bicarbonate solution and filter it through a 0.22 micron syringe filter. Then, dissolve two milligrams of biotin PEG succinimidyl carbonate and 80 milligrams of PEG succinimidyl valerate into 350 micro liters of the filtered sodium bicarbonate solution.Protect the solution from light using a light protection tube. Vortex the tube vigorously, for 10 seconds and then, centrifuge it at 10, 000 x g for one minute to remove any bubbles. Next, rinse a glass slide with acetone followed by ethyl alcohol.Once rinsed, allow the slide to air dry completely. Place a 50 microliter drop of the PEG solution onto the clean, glass slide. Slowly lower an amino silanized coverslip onto the droplet at a slight angle, so as to not generate any air bubbles under the coverslip.Then, place the slides into a level, dark and humidified chamber for at least three hours to overnight, at room temperature. When finished, seal the residual PEG solution in the light protection tube, and keep it at four degrees Celsius. Following incubation, rinse the PEGylated coverslips thoroughly with deionized water and then store them in a dark and dry place until they are used.In order to create the flow chamber, place double-sided, sticky tape strips on an acrylic holder, so that it is aligned perpendicularly to inlet and outlet holes and does not perturb any of the channel holes. Then, rub the tape, using a pipet tip, to seal the channels. Next, place a PEGylated coverslip, with the PEGylated side face down, on the top of the tape to make flow chambers.To prevent any solution from leaking, press the top of a coverslip over the area where double-sided tape is placed. Then, add a quick dry, epoxy glue to the edges of the chambers, to secure it in place. Next, connect a 2.5 centimeter long piece of tubing to a gas tight syringe and seal the joint with epoxy glue.Then, connect a long, flexible tube to the tubing coming from the syringe. And again, seal the joint with epoxy glue. Fill the tubing that is linked to the syringe with deionized water, making sure there are no air bubbles.Next, insert the tubing into the hole of the flow chamber that is sealed with epoxy glue. And place a 200 microliter pipet tip on the other hole, to be used as a reservoir. Set the flow rate of a syringe pump to 50 microliters per minute.Then, flow 20 microliters of an avidin protein solution into the chamber and keep it there for 10 minutes. Next, load 20 microliters of biotinylated oligo deoxy nucleotides, into a syringe. Flow it into the chamber, and keep it there for 10 minutes.If a terminal transferase is used, skip the loading of oligo deoxy nucleotides. Then, load 20 microliters of a DNA solution into a syringe, flow it into the chamber at a rate of 10 microliters per minute and keep it there for 30 minutes. Following the 30 minute incubation, wash the flow chamber with 40 microliters of 1X TE buffer at 50 microliters per minute.Once washed, load the chamber with 40 microliters of the same FP-DBP at a concentration of 80 nano-molar, in the 1X TE.To see the full stretch range of DNA molecules, apply different flow rates according to the DNA lengths used. Observe the DNA under a 60X objective lens, using a fluorescent microscope. Here is a fluorescent microscope video showing bacteriophage lambda DNA molecules, tethered to the surface, being stretched by flow after ligation with biotinylated complimentary oligo nucleotides.Under flow, the fully elongated DNA molecules, measure 16.5 microns in length. In contrast, the bacteriophage T4 DNA momlecules, elongated to a length of 56.4 microns, under flow. This elongation is reversible, and the DNA can be extended and relaxed multiple times.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to use FP-DBP in larger DNA analysis as well as demonstrate stretching and relaxation of DNA polymer.

visualization-surface-tethered-large-dna-molecules-with-fluorescent

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy

We describe a simple fluorescence microscopy-based real-time method for observing DNA replication at the single-molecule level. A circular, forked DNA template is attached to a functionalized glass coverslip and replicated extensively after introduction of replication proteins and nucleotides (Figure 1). The growing product double-strand DNA (dsDNA) is extended with laminar flow and visualized by using an intercalating dye. Measuring the position of the growing DNA end in real time allows precise determination of replication rate (Figure 2). Furthermore, the length of completed DNA products reports on the processivity of replication. This experiment can be performed very easily and rapidly and requires only a fluorescence microscope with a reasonably sensitive camera.


This protocol demonstrates a simple single-molecule fluorescence microscopy technique for visualizing DNA replication by individual replisomes in real time.

We describe a simple fluorescence microscopy-based real-time method for observing DNA replication at the single-molecule level. A circular, forked DNA ...

Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay

We describe a method for observing real time replication of individual DNA molecules mediated by proteins of the bacteriophage replication system. Linearized &lambda; DNA is modified to have a biotin on the end of one strand, and a digoxigenin moiety on the other end of the same strand. The biotinylated end is attached to a functionalized glass coverslip and the digoxigeninated end to a small bead. The assembly of these DNA-bead tethers on the surface of a flow cell allows a laminar flow to be applied to exert a drag force on the bead. As a result, the DNA is stretched close to and parallel to the surface of the coverslip at a force that is determined by the flow rate (Figure 1). The length of the DNA is measured by monitoring the position of the bead. Length differences between single- and double-stranded DNA are utilized to obtain real-time information on the activity of the replication proteins at the fork. Measuring the position of the bead allows precise determination of the rates and processivities of DNA unwinding and polymerization (Figure 2).

We describe a method for observing real time replication of individual DNA molecules mediated by proteins of the bacteriophage replication system.

We describe a method for observing real time replication of individual DNA molecules mediated by proteins of the bacteriophage replication system. ...

DNA Stable-Isotope Probing (DNA-SIP)

DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) is a powerful technique for identifying active microorganisms that assimilate particular carbon substrates and nutrients into cellular biomass. As such, this cultivation-independent technique has been an important methodology for assigning metabolic function to the diverse communities inhabiting a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic environments. Following the incubation of an environmental sample with stable-isotope labelled compounds, extracted nucleic acid is subjected to density gradient ultracentrifugation and subsequent gradient fractionation to separate nucleic acids of differing densities. Purification of DNA from cesium chloride retrieves labelled and unlabelled DNA for subsequent molecular characterization (e.g. fingerprinting, microarrays, clone libraries, metagenomics). This JoVE video protocol provides visual step-by-step explanations of the protocol for density gradient ultracentrifugation, gradient fractionation and recovery of labelled DNA. The protocol also includes sample SIP data and highlights important tips and cautions that must be considered to ensure a successful DNA-SIP analysis.

DNA Stable-Isotope Probing DNA-SIP

DNA stable-isotope probing is a cultivation-independent method to identify and characterize active communities of microorganisms that are capable of utilizing specific substrates. Assimilation of substrate enriched in heavy isotope leads to incorporation of labelled atoms into microbial biomass. Density gradient ultracentrifugation retrieves labelled DNA for downstream molecular analyses.

DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) is a powerful technique for identifying active microorganisms that assimilate particular carbon substrates and ...

Visualization of DNA Replication in the Vertebrate Model System DT40 using the DNA Fiber Technique

Maintenance of replication fork stability is of utmost importance for dividing cells to preserve viability and prevent disease. The processes involved not only ensure faithful genome duplication in the face of endogenous and exogenous DNA damage but also prevent genomic instability, a recognized causative factor in tumor development.
Here, we describe a simple and cost-effective fluorescence microscopy-based method to visualize DNA replication in the avian B-cell line DT40. This cell line provides a powerful tool to investigate protein function in vivo by reverse genetics in vertebrate cells1. DNA fiber fluorography in DT40 cells lacking a specific gene allows one to elucidate the function of this gene product in DNA replication and genome stability. Traditional methods to analyze replication fork dynamics in vertebrate cells rely on measuring the overall rate of DNA synthesis in a population of pulse-labeled cells. This is a quantitative approach and does not allow for qualitative analysis of parameters that influence DNA synthesis. In contrast, the rate of movement of active forks can be followed directly when using the DNA fiber technique2-4. In this approach, nascent DNA is labeled in vivo by incorporation of halogenated nucleotides (Fig 1A). Subsequently, individual fibers are stretched onto a microscope slide, and the labeled DNA replication tracts are stained with specific antibodies and visualized by fluorescence microscopy (Fig 1B). Initiation of replication as well as fork directionality is determined by the consecutive use of two differently modified analogues. Furthermore, the dual-labeling approach allows for quantitative analysis of parameters that influence DNA synthesis during the S-phase, i.e. replication structures such as ongoing and stalled forks, replication origin density as well as fork terminations. Finally, the experimental procedure can be accomplished within a day, and requires only general laboratory equipment and a fluorescence microscope.

DT40, a model vertebrate genetic system, provides a powerful tool to analyze protein function. Here we describe a simple method that allows qualitative analysis of parameters that influence DNA synthesis during the S-phase in DT40 cells at the single molecule level.

Maintenance of replication fork stability is of utmost importance for dividing cells to preserve viability and prevent disease. The processes involved not ...

Measuring Peptide Translocation into Large Unilamellar Vesicles

There is an active interest in peptides that readily cross cell membranes without the assistance of cell membrane receptors1. Many of these are referred to as cell-penetrating peptides, which are frequently noted for their potential as drug delivery vectors1-3. Moreover, there is increasing interest in antimicrobial peptides that operate via non-membrane lytic mechanisms4,5, particularly those that cross bacterial membranes without causing cell lysis and kill cells by interfering with intracellular processes6,7. In fact, authors have increasingly pointed out the relationship between cell-penetrating and antimicrobial peptides1,8. A firm understanding of the process of membrane translocation and the relationship between peptide structure and its ability to translocate requires effective, reproducible assays for translocation. Several groups have proposed methods to measure translocation into large unilamellar lipid vesicles (LUVs)9-13. LUVs serve as useful models for bacterial and eukaryotic cell membranes and are frequently used in peptide fluorescent studies14,15. Here, we describe our application of the method first developed by Matsuzaki and co-workers to consider antimicrobial peptides, such as magainin and buforin II16,17. In addition to providing our protocol for this method, we also present a straightforward approach to data analysis that quantifies translocation ability using this assay. The advantages of this translocation assay compared to others are that it has the potential to provide information about the rate of membrane translocation and does not require the addition of a fluorescent label, which can alter peptide properties18, to tryptophan-containing peptides. Briefly, translocation ability into lipid vesicles is measured as a function of the Foster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between native tryptophan residues and dansyl phosphatidylethanolamine when proteins are associated with the external LUV membrane (Figure 1). Cell-penetrating peptides are cleaved as they encounter uninhibited trypsin encapsulated with the LUVs, leading to disassociation from the LUV membrane and a drop in FRET signal. The drop in FRET signal observed for a translocating peptide is significantly greater than that observed for the same peptide when the LUVs contain both trypsin and trypsin inhibitor, or when a peptide that does not spontaneously cross lipid membranes is exposed to trypsin-containing LUVs. This change in fluorescence provides a direct quantification of peptide translocation over time.

This protocol details a method for the quantitative measure of peptide translocation into large unilamellar lipid vesicles. This method also provides information about the rate of membrane translocation and can be used to identify peptides that efficiently and spontaneously cross lipid bilayers.

There is an active interest in peptides that readily cross cell membranes without the assistance of cell membrane receptors1.  Many of these are referred ...

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

The growing realization that both the temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression can have important consequences on cell function has led to the development of diverse techniques to visualize individual RNA transcripts in single living cells. One promising technique that has recently been described utilizes an oligonucleotide-based optical probe, ratiometric bimolecular beacon (RBMB), to detect RNA transcripts that were engineered to contain at least four tandem repeats of the RBMB target sequence in the 3&#8217;-untranslated region. RBMBs are specifically designed to emit a bright fluorescent signal upon hybridization to complementary RNA, but otherwise remain quenched. The use of a synthetic probe in this approach allows photostable, red-shifted, and highly emissive organic dyes to be used for imaging. Binding of multiple RBMBs to the engineered RNA transcripts results in discrete fluorescence spots when viewed under a wide-field fluorescent microscope. Consequently, the movement of individual RNA transcripts can be readily visualized in real-time by taking a time series of fluorescent images. Here we describe the preparation and purification of RBMBs, delivery into cells by microporation and live-cell imaging of single RNA transcripts.

Ratiometric bimolecular beacons (RBMBs) can be used to image single engineered RNA transcripts in living cells. Here, we describe the preparation and purification of RBMBs, delivery of RBMBs into cells by microporation and fluorescent imaging of single RNA transcripts in real-time.

The growing realization that both the temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression can have important consequences on cell function has led to the ...

Reduced-gravity Environment Hardware Demonstrations of a Prototype Miniaturized Flow Cytometer and Companion Microfluidic Mixing Technology

Until recently, astronaut blood samples were collected in-flight, transported to earth on the Space Shuttle, and analyzed in terrestrial laboratories. If humans are to travel beyond low Earth orbit, a transition towards space-ready, point-of-care (POC) testing is required. Such testing needs to be comprehensive, easy to perform in a reduced-gravity environment, and unaffected by the stresses of launch and spaceflight. Countless POC devices have been developed to mimic laboratory scale counterparts, but most have narrow applications and few have demonstrable use in an in-flight, reduced-gravity environment. In fact, demonstrations of biomedical diagnostics in reduced gravity are limited altogether, making component choice and certain logistical challenges difficult to approach when seeking to test new technology. To help fill the void, we are presenting a modular method for the construction and operation of a prototype blood diagnostic device and its associated parabolic flight test rig that meet the standards for flight-testing onboard a parabolic flight, reduced-gravity aircraft. The method first focuses on rig assembly for in-flight, reduced-gravity testing of a flow cytometer and a companion microfluidic mixing chip. Components are adaptable to other designs and some custom components, such as a microvolume sample loader and the micromixer may be of particular interest. The method then shifts focus to flight preparation, by offering guidelines and suggestions to prepare for a successful flight test with regard to user training, development of a standard operating procedure (SOP), and other issues. Finally, in-flight experimental procedures specific to our demonstrations are described.

Spaceflight blood diagnostics need innovation. Few demonstrations have been published illustrating in-flight, reduced-gravity health diagnostic technology. Here we present a method for construction and operation of a parabolic flight test rig for a prototype point-of-care flow-cytometry design, with components and preparation strategies adaptable to other setups.

Until recently, astronaut blood samples were collected in-flight, transported to earth on the Space Shuttle, and analyzed in terrestrial laboratories. If ...

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

The production of recombinant membrane proteins for structural and functional studies remains technically challenging due to low levels of expression and the inherent instability of many membrane proteins once solubilized in detergents. A protocol is described that combines ligation independent cloning of membrane proteins as GFP fusions with expression in Escherichia coli detected by GFP fluorescence. This enables the construction and expression screening of multiple membrane protein/variants to identify candidates suitable for further investment of time and effort. The GFP reporter is used in a primary screen of expression by visualizing GFP fluorescence following SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Membrane proteins that show both a high expression level with minimum degradation as indicated by the absence of free GFP, are selected for a secondary screen. These constructs are scaled and a total membrane fraction prepared and solubilized in four different detergents. Following ultracentrifugation to remove detergent-insoluble material, lysates are analyzed by fluorescence detection size exclusion chromatography (FSEC). Monitoring the size exclusion profile by GFP fluorescence provides information about the mono-dispersity and integrity of the membrane proteins in different detergents. Protein: detergent combinations that elute with a symmetrical peak with little or no free GFP and minimum aggregation are candidates for subsequent purification. Using the above methodology, the heterologous expression in E. coli of SED (shape, elongation, division, and sporulation) proteins from 47 different species of bacteria was analyzed. These proteins typically have ten transmembrane domains and are essential for cell division. The results show that the production of the SEDs orthologues in E. coli was highly variable with respect to the expression levels and integrity of the GFP fusion proteins. The experiment identified a subset for further investigation.

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

A streamlined approach to screening for the expression of recombinant membrane proteins in Escherichia coli based on fusion to green fluorescent protein is presented.

The production of recombinant membrane proteins for structural and functional studies remains technically challenging due to low levels of expression and ...

Visualization of miniSOG Tagged DNA Repair Proteins in Combination with Electron Spectroscopic Imaging (ESI)

The limits to optical resolution and the challenge of identifying specific protein populations in transmission electron microscopy have been obstacles in cell biology. Many phenomena cannot be explained by in vitro analysis in simplified systems and need additional structural information in situ, particularly in the range between 1 nm and 0.1 &#181;m, in order to be fully understood. Here, electron spectroscopic imaging, a transmission electron microscopy technique that allows simultaneous mapping of the distribution of proteins and nucleic acids, and an expression tag, miniSOG, are combined to study the structure and organization of DNA double-strand break repair foci.

Visualization of miniSOG Tagged DNA Repair Proteins in Combination with Electron Spectroscopic Imaging ESI

Electron spectroscopic imaging can image and distinguish nucleic acid from protein at nanometer resolution. It can be combined with the miniSOG system, which is able to specifically label tagged proteins in transmission electron microscopy samples. We illustrate the use of these technologies using double-strand break repair foci as an example.

The limits to optical resolution and the challenge of identifying specific protein populations in transmission electron microscopy have been obstacles in ...

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for the Identification of Arabidopsis Protein-DNA Interactions In Vivo

Intricate gene regulatory networks orchestrate biological processes and developmental transitions in plants. Selective transcriptional activation and silencing of genes mediate the response of plants to environmental signals and developmental cues. Therefore, insights into the mechanisms that control plant gene expression are essential to gain a deep understanding of how biological processes are regulated in plants. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) technique described here is a procedure to identify the DNA-binding sites of proteins in genes or genomic regions of the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The interactions with DNA of proteins of interest such as transcription factors, chromatin proteins or posttranslationally modified versions of histones can be efficiently analyzed with the ChIP protocol. This method is based on the fixation of protein-DNA interactions in vivo, random fragmentation of chromatin, immunoprecipitation of protein-DNA complexes with specific antibodies, and quantification of the DNA associated with the protein of interest by PCR techniques. The use of this methodology in Arabidopsis has contributed significantly to unveil transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that control a variety of plant biological processes. This approach allowed the identification of the binding sites of the Arabidopsis chromatin protein EBS to regulatory regions of the master gene of flowering FT. The impact of this protein in the accumulation of particular histone marks in the genomic region of FT was also revealed through ChIP analysis.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for the Identification of Arabidopsis Protein-DNA Interactions In Vivo

Chromatin immunoprecipitation is a powerful technique for the identification of DNA binding sites of Arabidopsis proteins in vivo. This procedure includes chromatin cross-linking and fragmentation, immunoprecipitation with selective antibodies against the protein of interest, and qPCR analysis of bound DNA. We describe a simple ChIP assay optimized for Arabidopsis plants.

Intricate gene regulatory networks orchestrate biological processes and developmental transitions in plants. Selective transcriptional activation and ...