With the approval of more and more genetically modified(GM)crops in our country,GM safety management has become more important.Transgenic detection is a major approach for transgenic safety management.Nevertheless,a c...With the approval of more and more genetically modified(GM)crops in our country,GM safety management has become more important.Transgenic detection is a major approach for transgenic safety management.Nevertheless,a convenient and visual technique with low equipment requirements and high sensitivity for the field detection of GM plants is still lacking.On the basis of the existing recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technique,we developed a multiplex RPA(multi-RPA)method that can simultaneously detect three transgenic elements,including the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S gene(CaMV35S)promoter,neomycin phosphotransferaseⅡgene(NptⅡ)and hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene(Hyg),thus improving the detection rate.Moreover,we coupled this multi-RPA technique with the CRISPR/Cas12a reporter system,which enabled the detection results to be clearly observed by naked eyes under ultraviolet(UV)light(254 nm;which could be achieved by a portable UV flashlight),therefore establishing a multi-RPA visual detection technique.Compared with the traditional test strip detection method,this multi-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a technique has the higher specificity,higher sensitivity,wider application range and lower cost.Compared with other polymerase chain reaction(PCR)techniques,it also has the advantages of low equipment requirements and visualization,making it a potentially feasible method for the field detection of GM plants.展开更多
Pamiparib is a potent and selective oral poly(adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-ribose)-polymerase(PARP)1/2inhibitor(PARPi).Pamiparib has good bioavailability and shows greater cytotoxic potency and similar DNA-trapping capa...Pamiparib is a potent and selective oral poly(adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-ribose)-polymerase(PARP)1/2inhibitor(PARPi).Pamiparib has good bioavailability and shows greater cytotoxic potency and similar DNA-trapping capacity compared to olaparib.It is not affected by adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette transporters.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic effect and target of atractylenolide I(AT-I)on post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)rats.METHODS:Therefore,the preliminarily mechanism of AT-I in anti-PI-IBS were first ...OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic effect and target of atractylenolide I(AT-I)on post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)rats.METHODS:Therefore,the preliminarily mechanism of AT-I in anti-PI-IBS were first predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking,then the possible signaling pathways were systematically analyzed.Finally,the potential therapeutic targets and possible signaling pathways of AT-I on PI-IBS in Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat model were verified by experiments.RESULTS:AT-I could alleviate PI-IBS symptoms and reduce the expression of tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-6 and Interferon-gamma in PI-IBS SD rat model and inhibit the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/inducible nitric oxide synthase(JNK/iNOS)pathway.Notably,AT-I treatment could inhibit the overexpression of polymeraseⅠand transcript release factor(PTRF).CONCLUSION:AT-I could alleviate PI-IBS symptoms through downregulation of PTRF and inhibiting the JNK/iNOS pathway.This study not only provides a scientific basis to clarify the anti-PI-IBS effect of AT-I and its mechanism but also suggests a novel promising therapeutic strategy to treat the PI-IBS.展开更多
With rapid developments of emerging technologies like synthetic biology,the demand for DNA polymerases with superior activities including higher thermostability and processivity has increased significantly.Thus,ration...With rapid developments of emerging technologies like synthetic biology,the demand for DNA polymerases with superior activities including higher thermostability and processivity has increased significantly.Thus,rational optimization of the performance of DNA polymerase is of great interest.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy is a powerful technique used for studying protein structure and dynamics.It provides the atomic resolution information of enzymes under their functional solution environment to reveal the active sites(hot spots)of the enzyme,which could be further used for optimizing the performance of enzymes.In our previous work,we identified hot spot residues of Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase(Pfu pol).We aim to employ these binding hot spots to screen for co-factors of Pfu pol,particularly targeting those molecules exhibiting weak intermolecular interactions.To validate this concept,we first demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing hot spot residues as screening probes for auxiliary factors by employing the well-characterized Tween-20 as a model system.Employing these hot spots as probes,two new co-factors,the heat shock protein TkHSP20 from Thermococcus Kodakaraensis and the chemical chaperone L-arginine,are identified to interact with Pfu pol to boost its performance in amplifying long DNA fragments by enhancing the thermal stability and the processivity of the Pfu pol.This NMR-based approach requires no prior assignment information of target enzymes,guiding the rational exploration of novel cofactors for Pfu pol.Moreover,our approach is not dependent on structural data or bioinformatics.Therefore,it has significant potential for application in various enzymes to expedite the progress in enzyme engineering.展开更多
Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD),mainly caused by enterovirus 71(EV71),has frequently occurred in the Asia-Pacific region,posing a significant threat to the health of infants and young children.Therefore,research on ...Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD),mainly caused by enterovirus 71(EV71),has frequently occurred in the Asia-Pacific region,posing a significant threat to the health of infants and young children.Therefore,research on the infection mechanism and pathogenicity of enteroviruses is increasingly becoming important.The 3D polymerase,as the most critical RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)for EV71 replication,is widely targeted to inhibit EV71 infection.In this study,we identified a novel host protein,AIMP2,capable of binding to 3D polymerase and inhibiting EV71 infection.Subsequent investigations revealed that AIMP2 recruits the E3 ligase SMURF2,which mediates the polyubiquitination and degradation of 3D polymerase.Furthermore,the antiviral effect of AIMP2 extended to the CVA16 and CVB1 serotypes.Our research has uncovered the dynamic regulatory function of AIMP2 during EV71 infection,revealing a novel antiviral mechanism and providing new insights for the development of antienteroviral therapeutic strategies.展开更多
The post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA is a crucial component of gene expression.The disruption of this process has detrimental effects on the normal development and gives rise to various diseases.Searching for n...The post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA is a crucial component of gene expression.The disruption of this process has detrimental effects on the normal development and gives rise to various diseases.Searching for novel post-transcriptional regulators and exploring their roles are essential for understanding development and disease.Through a multimodal analysis of red blood cell trait genome-wide association studies(GWAS)and transcriptomes of erythropoiesis,we identify FAM46C,a non-canonical RNA poly(A)polymerase,as a necessary factor for proper red blood cell development.FAM46C is highly expressed in the late stages of the erythroid lineage,and its developmental upregulation is controlled by an erythroidspecific enhancer.We demonstrate that FAM46C stabilizes mRNA and regulates erythroid differentiation in a polymerase activity-dependent manner.Furthermore,we identify transcripts of lysosome and mitochondria components as highly confident in vivo targets of FAM46C,which aligns with the need of maturing red blood cells for substantial clearance of organelles and maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis.In conclusion,our study unveils a unique role of FAM46C in positively regulating lysosome and mitochondria components,thereby promoting erythropoiesis.展开更多
Introduction:DNA polymerases are crucial for maintaining genome stability and influencing tumorigenesis.However,the clinical implications of DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and their potential as anti-cancer therapy ...Introduction:DNA polymerases are crucial for maintaining genome stability and influencing tumorigenesis.However,the clinical implications of DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and their potential as anti-cancer therapy targets are not well understood.Methods:We conducted a systematic analysis using TCGA Pan-Cancer Atlas data and Gene Set Cancer Analysis results to examine the expression profiles of 15 DNA polymerases(POLYs)and their clinical correlations.We also evaluated the prognostic value of POLYs by analyzing their expression levels in relation to overall survival time(OS)using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,we investigated the correlations between POLY expression and immune cells,DNA damage repair(DDR)pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Results:Our analysis revealed that 14 out of 15 POLYs exhibited significantly distinct expression patterns between tumor and normal samples across most cancer types,except for DNA nucleotidylexotransferase(DNTT).Specifically,POLD1 and POLE showed elevated expression in almost all cancers,while POLQ exhibited high expression levels in all cancer types.Some POLYs showed heightened expression in specific cancer subtypes,while others exhibited low expression.Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated significant prognostic value of POLYs in multiple cancers,including PAAD,KIRC,and ACC.Cox analysis further validated these findings.Alteration patterns of POLYs varied significantly among different cancer types and were associated with poorer survival outcomes.Significant correlations were observed between the expression of POLY members and immune cells,DDR pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis indicated an inverse relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Conclusion:Our comprehensive study highlights the significant role of POLYs in cancer development and identifies them as promising prognostic and immunological biomarkers for various cancer types.Additionally,targeting POLYs therapeutically holds promise for tumor immunotherapy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors(PARPis)are approved as first-line therapies for breast cancer gene(BRCA)-positive,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breas...BACKGROUND Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors(PARPis)are approved as first-line therapies for breast cancer gene(BRCA)-positive,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.They are also effective for new and recurrent ovarian cancers that are BRCA-or homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)-positive.However,data on these mutations and PARPi use in the Middle East are limited.AIM To assess BRCA/HRD prevalence and PARPi use in patients in the Middle East with breast/ovarian cancer.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective study of 57 of 472 breast cancer patients tested for BRCA mutations,and 25 of 65 ovarian cancer patients tested for HRD.These adult patients participated in at least four visits to the oncology service at our center between August 2021 and May 2023.Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared using counts and percentages.Response to treatment was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria.RESULTS Among the 472 breast cancer patients,12.1%underwent BRCA testing,and 38.5%of 65 ovarian cancer patients received HRD testing.Pathogenic mutations were found in 25.6%of the tested patients:26.3%breast cancers had germline BRCA(gBRCA)mutations and 24.0%ovarian cancers showed HRD.Notably,40.0%of gBRCA-positive breast cancers and 66.0%of HRD-positive ovarian cancers were Middle Eastern and Asian patients,respectively.PARPi treatment was used in 5(33.3%)gBRCA-positive breast cancer patients as first-line therapy(n=1;7-months progression-free),for maintenance(n=2;>15-months progression-free),or at later stages due to compliance issues(n=2).Four patients(66.6%)with HRD-positive ovarian cancer received PARPi and all remained progression-free.CONCLUSION Lower testing rates but higher BRCA mutations in breast cancer were found.Ethnicity reflected United Arab Emirates demographics,with breast cancer in Middle Eastern and ovarian cancer in Asian patients.展开更多
This study utilizes the enzyme-substrate complex theory to predict the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 treatments at the biological systems level, using molecular docking stability indicators. Experimental data from the...This study utilizes the enzyme-substrate complex theory to predict the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 treatments at the biological systems level, using molecular docking stability indicators. Experimental data from the Protein Data Bank and molecular structures generated by AlphaFold 3 were used to create macromolecular complex templates. Six templates were developed, including the holo nsp7-nsp8-nsp12 (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) complex with dsRNA primers (holo-RdRp-RNA). The study evaluated several ligands—Favipiravir-RTP, Remdesivir, Abacavir, Ribavirin, and Oseltamivir—as potential viral RNA polymerase inhibitors. Notably, the first four of these ligands have been clinically employed in the treatment of COVID-19, allowing for comparative analysis. Molecular docking simulations were performed using AutoDock 4, and statistical differences were assessed through t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. A review of the literature on COVID-19 treatment outcomes and inhibitors targeting RNA polymerase enzymes was conducted, and the inhibitors were ranked according to their clinical efficacy: Remdesivir > Favipiravir-RTP > Oseltamivir. Docking results obtained from the second and third templates aligned with clinical observations. Furthermore, Abacavir demonstrated a predicted efficacy comparable to Favipiravir-RTP, while Ribavirin exhibited a predicted efficacy similar to that of Remdesivir. This research, focused on inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, establishes a framework for screening AI-generated drug templates based on clinical outcomes. Additionally, it develops a drug screening platform based on molecular docking binding energy, enabling the evaluation of novel or repurposed drugs and potentially accelerating the drug development process.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV),hepatitis B virus(HBV),and human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)are the most epidemic blood-borne viruses,posing threats to human health and causing economic losses to nations for com...BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV),hepatitis B virus(HBV),and human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)are the most epidemic blood-borne viruses,posing threats to human health and causing economic losses to nations for combating the infection transmission.The diagnostic methodologies that depend on the detection of viral nucleic acids are much more expensive,but they are more accurate than sero-logical testing.AIM To develop a rapid,cost-effective,and accurate diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)assay for simultaneous detection of HCV,HBV,and HIV-1.METHODS The design of the proposed PCR assay targets the amplification of a short conserved region featured with a distinguishable melting profile and electro-phoretic molecular weight inside each viral genome.Therefore,this diagnostic method will be appropriate for application in both conventional(combined with electrophoresis)and real-time PCR facilities.Confirmatory in silico investigations were conducted to prove the capability of the approached PCR assay to detect variants of each virus.Then,Egyptian isolates of each virus were subjected to the wet lab examination using the given diagnostic assay.RESULTS The in silico investigations confirmed that the PCR primers can match many viral variants in a multiplex PCR assay.The wet lab experiment proved the efficiency of the assay in distinguishing each viral type through high-resolution melting analysis.Compared to related published assays,the proposed assay in the current study is more sensitive and competitive with many expensive PCR assays.CONCLUSION This study provides a simple,cost-effective,and sensitive diagnostic PCR assay facilitating the detection of the most epidemic blood-borne viruses;this makes the proposed assay promising to be substitutive for the mistakable and cheap serological-based assays.展开更多
Objective: To develop a sensitive, specific and simple method for detection of extremely low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical specimens, as a significant addition to the serologic tests for syphilis diagnosis. Metho...Objective: To develop a sensitive, specific and simple method for detection of extremely low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical specimens, as a significant addition to the serologic tests for syphilis diagnosis. Methods: Double-tube nested PCR(DN-PCR) and single-tube nested PCR(SN-PCR) assays were performed to amplify specific fragments of the DNA poly-merase I gene(polA) of T. pallidum. Sensitivity and specificity of the two PCR assays were tested. Eighty-six whole blood specimens from persons with suspected syphilis were detected by the two nested PCR methods. The TPPA test was used as a comparison for detecting syphilis in sera from corresponding patients. Results: Only specific amplicons could be obtained during amplification of the T. pallidum polA gene and the detection limit was approximately 1 organism when analyzed on gel by the two PCR methods. Of 86 clinical specimens, 62 were positive by TPPA. Of these, 54 and 51 were positive by the DN-PCR and SN-PCR, respectively, which does not represent a statistically significant difference between the two PCR tests. Of 24 TPPA-negative specimens, 5 were positive by both DN-PCR assay and SN-PCR assay. Conclusion: The SN- polA PCR method is extremely sensitive, specific and easy to perform for detecting low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical blood specimens as a complementary to serology for syphilis diagnosis.展开更多
DNA fingerprinting among members of the Chinese drug Pu Gong Ying(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand,-Mazz.)and six adulterants of Tu Gong Ying were demonstrated with random-primed polymerase chain reaction(PCR)including arbit...DNA fingerprinting among members of the Chinese drug Pu Gong Ying(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand,-Mazz.)and six adulterants of Tu Gong Ying were demonstrated with random-primed polymerase chain reaction(PCR)including arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction(AP-PCR)and random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD).Distinctive,reproducible genomic fingerprints from DNA from 7 species belonged to Compositae were generated with two long(20 and 24 mer)and one short(10 mer)randomly chosen primers.The Pu Gong Ying can be differentiated from six species of Tu Gong Ying according to the banding pattems of their amplified DNA on agarose gels.The results showed that AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.Moreover,the Similarity Indexes of the genomic DNA fingerprints showed that Pu Gong Ying and its adulterants are unrelated.Therefore,AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.展开更多
AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis ...AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCV positive patient to permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNA strands of the cultured cells and growth media were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each month. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV were further tested using immunohistochemical SP method and in situ RT-PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA positive strands were consistently detected the cultured cells for one year. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells and the positive-strand RNA in supernatants were observed intermittently. Immunohistochemical results medicated expression of HCV NS3 and C proteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positive signal of PCR product was dark blue and mainly localized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCR signal was eliminated by overnight RNase digestion but not DNase digestion. CONCLUSION: HCV may exist and remain functional in a cultured cell line for a long period.展开更多
Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection represents a significant health problem and represents a heavy load on some countries like Egypt in which about 20%of the total population are infected.Initial infection is usually asym...Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection represents a significant health problem and represents a heavy load on some countries like Egypt in which about 20%of the total population are infected.Initial infection is usually asymptomatic and result in chronic hepatitis that give rise to complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.The management of HCV infection should not only be focus on therapy,but also to screen carrier individuals in order to prevent transmission.In the present,molecular detection and quantification of HCV genome by real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)represent the gold standard in HCV diagnosis and plays a crucial role in the management of therapeutic regimens.However,real time PCR is a complicated approach and of limited distribution.On the other hand,isothermal DNA amplification techniques have been developed and offer molecular diagnosis of infectious dieses at point-of-care.In this review we discuss recombinase polymerase amplification technique and illustrate its diagnostic value over both PCR and other isothermal amplification techniques.展开更多
Nonhomologous DNA end joining （NHEJ） is the primary pathway for repair of double-strand DNA breaks in human cells and in multicellular eukaryotes. The causes of double-strand breaks often fragment the DNA at the sit...Nonhomologous DNA end joining （NHEJ） is the primary pathway for repair of double-strand DNA breaks in human cells and in multicellular eukaryotes. The causes of double-strand breaks often fragment the DNA at the site of damage, resulting in the loss of information there. NHEJ does not restore the lost information and may resect additional nucleotides during the repair process. The ability to repair a wide range of overhang and damage configurations reflects the flexibility of the nuclease, polymerases, and ligase of NHEJ. The flexibility of the individual components also explains the large number of ways in which NHEJ can repair any given pair of DNA ends. The loss of information locally at sites of NHEJ repair may contribute to cancer and aging, but the action by NHEJ ensures that entire segments of chromosomes are not lost.展开更多
In their seminal publication describing the structure of the DNA double helix , Watson and Crick wrote what may be one of the greatest understatements in the scientific literature, namely that ＂It has not escaped our...In their seminal publication describing the structure of the DNA double helix , Watson and Crick wrote what may be one of the greatest understatements in the scientific literature, namely that ＂It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material.＂ Half a century later, we more fully appreciate what a huge challenge it is to replicate six billion nucleotides with the accuracy needed to stably maintain the human genome over many generations. This challenge is perhaps greater than was realized 50 years ago, because subsequent studies have revealed that the genome can be destabilized not only by environmental stresses that generate a large number and variety of potentially cytotoxic and mutagenic lesions in DNA but also by various sequence motifs of normal DNA that present challenges to replication. Towards a better understanding of the many determinants of genome stability, this chapter reviews the fidelity with which undamaged and damaged DNA is copied, with a focus on the eukaryotic B- and Y-family DNA polymerases, and considers how this fidelity is achieved.展开更多
AIM To explore a rapid and easy sequencing method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, and establish a new sequencing method in China. METHODS Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was combined with DNA sequencing techn...AIM To explore a rapid and easy sequencing method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, and establish a new sequencing method in China. METHODS Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was combined with DNA sequencing technique. PCR products were purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) respectively. Then in the presence of a 5′ labeling PCR primer, purified PCR products were directly sequenced. By this method, HCV NS5b cDNA from two HCV infected individuals (HC 42 and HC 49) were sequenced.展开更多
BACKGROUND The presence of two distinct hepatitis B virus(HBV)Pol RT polymorphisms,rt269L and rt269I,could contribute to the unique clinical or virological phenotype of HBV genotype C2.Therefore,a simple and sensitive...BACKGROUND The presence of two distinct hepatitis B virus(HBV)Pol RT polymorphisms,rt269L and rt269I,could contribute to the unique clinical or virological phenotype of HBV genotype C2.Therefore,a simple and sensitive method capable of identifying both types in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients infected with genotype C2 should be developed.AIM To develop a novel simple and sensitive locked nucleic acid(LNA)-real timepolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)method capable of identifying two rt269 types in CHB genotype C2 patients.METHODS We designed proper primer and probe sets for LNA-RT-PCR for the separation of rt269 types.Using synthesized DNAs of the wild type and variant forms,melting temperature analysis,detection sensitivity,and endpoint genotyping for LNA-RT-PCR were performed.The developed LNA-RT-PCR method was applied to a total of 94 CHB patients of genotype C2 for the identification of two rt269 polymorphisms,and these results were compared with those obtained by a direct sequencing protocol.RESULTS The LNA-RT-PCR method could identify two rt269L and rt269I polymorphisms of three genotypes,two rt269L types[‘L1’(WT)and‘L2’]and one rt269I type(‘I’)in single(63 samples,72.4%)or mixed forms(24 samples,27.6%)in 87(92.6%sensitivity)of 94 samples from Korean CHB patients.When the results were compared with those obtained by the direct sequencing protocol,the LNA-RT-PCR method showed the same results in all but one of 87 positive detected samples(98.9%specificity).CONCLUSION The newly developed LNA-RT-PCR method could identify two rt269 polymorphisms,rt269L and rt269I,in CHB patients with genotype C2 infections.This method could be effectively used for the understanding of disease progression in genotype C2 endemic areas.展开更多
AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carr...AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carriers＇ semen and sera using phenol extraction method and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit （Qiagen, Germany）. HBV DNA was detected by conventional PCR and quantified by TaqMan technology-based real-time PCR （quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR））. The detection threshold was 200 copies of HBV DNA for conventional PCR and 10 copies of HBV DNA for real time PCR per reaction. RESULTS： Both methods of phenol extraction and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit were suitable for isolating HBV DNA from semen. The value of the detection thresholds was 500 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. The viral loads were 7.5×10^7 and 1.67×10^7 copies of HBV DNA per mL in two HBV infected patients＇ sera, while 2.14×10^5 and 3.02×10^5 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR is a more sensitive and accurate method to detect and quantify HBV DNA in the semen.展开更多
Single-strand breaks （SSBs） can occur in cells either directly, or indirectly following initiation of base excision repair （BER）. SSBs generally have blocked termini lacking the conventional 5＇-phosphate and 3＇-...Single-strand breaks （SSBs） can occur in cells either directly, or indirectly following initiation of base excision repair （BER）. SSBs generally have blocked termini lacking the conventional 5＇-phosphate and 3＇-hydroxyl groups and require further processing prior to DNA synthesis and ligation. XRCC1 is devoid of any known enzymatic activity, but it can physically interact with other proteins involved in all stages of the overlapping SSB repair and BER pathways, including those that conduct the rate-limiting end-tailoring, and in many cases can stimulate their enzymatic activities. XRCC1^-/- mouse fibroblasts are most hypersensitive to agents that produce DNA lesions repaired by monofunctional glycosylase-initiated BER and that result in formation of indirect SSBs. A requirement for the deoxyribose phosphate lyase activity of DNA polymerase β （pol β） is specific to this pathway, whereas pol β is implicated in gap-filling during repair of many types of SSBs. Elevated levels of strand breaks, and diminished repair, have been demonstrated in MMS- treated XRCC1^-/-, and to a lesser extent in pol β^-/- cell lines, compared with wild-type cells. Thus a strong correlation is observed between cellular sensitivity to MMS and the ability of cells to repair MMS-induced damage. Exposure of wild-type and polβ^-/- cells to an inhibitor of PARP activity dramatically potentiates MMS-induced cytotoxicity. XRCC1^-/- cells are also sensitized by PARP inhibition demonstrating that PARP-mediated poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation plays a role in modulation of cytotoxicity beyond recruitment of XRCC 1 to sites of DNA damage.展开更多
基金the Experimental Technology Research Project of Zhejiang University(SYB202138)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32000195)。
文摘With the approval of more and more genetically modified(GM)crops in our country,GM safety management has become more important.Transgenic detection is a major approach for transgenic safety management.Nevertheless,a convenient and visual technique with low equipment requirements and high sensitivity for the field detection of GM plants is still lacking.On the basis of the existing recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technique,we developed a multiplex RPA(multi-RPA)method that can simultaneously detect three transgenic elements,including the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S gene(CaMV35S)promoter,neomycin phosphotransferaseⅡgene(NptⅡ)and hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene(Hyg),thus improving the detection rate.Moreover,we coupled this multi-RPA technique with the CRISPR/Cas12a reporter system,which enabled the detection results to be clearly observed by naked eyes under ultraviolet(UV)light(254 nm;which could be achieved by a portable UV flashlight),therefore establishing a multi-RPA visual detection technique.Compared with the traditional test strip detection method,this multi-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a technique has the higher specificity,higher sensitivity,wider application range and lower cost.Compared with other polymerase chain reaction(PCR)techniques,it also has the advantages of low equipment requirements and visualization,making it a potentially feasible method for the field detection of GM plants.
基金supported in part by funding from BeiGene,Ltd.,USA(Grant No.:KPR081)with additional support from the Alessandra Bono Foundation,Italy.
文摘Pamiparib is a potent and selective oral poly(adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-ribose)-polymerase(PARP)1/2inhibitor(PARPi).Pamiparib has good bioavailability and shows greater cytotoxic potency and similar DNA-trapping capacity compared to olaparib.It is not affected by adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette transporters.
基金The University Collaborative Innovation Project of Anhui:Creation of a Combined Animal Model of Coronary Heart Disease based on the Theory of Xin'an Medicine(No.GXXT-2020-024)Start-up Funding for Doctoral Research at Wannan Medical College(WYRCQD2018009)Horizontal Project of South Anhui Medical College(H202003)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic effect and target of atractylenolide I(AT-I)on post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)rats.METHODS:Therefore,the preliminarily mechanism of AT-I in anti-PI-IBS were first predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking,then the possible signaling pathways were systematically analyzed.Finally,the potential therapeutic targets and possible signaling pathways of AT-I on PI-IBS in Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat model were verified by experiments.RESULTS:AT-I could alleviate PI-IBS symptoms and reduce the expression of tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-6 and Interferon-gamma in PI-IBS SD rat model and inhibit the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/inducible nitric oxide synthase(JNK/iNOS)pathway.Notably,AT-I treatment could inhibit the overexpression of polymeraseⅠand transcript release factor(PTRF).CONCLUSION:AT-I could alleviate PI-IBS symptoms through downregulation of PTRF and inhibiting the JNK/iNOS pathway.This study not only provides a scientific basis to clarify the anti-PI-IBS effect of AT-I and its mechanism but also suggests a novel promising therapeutic strategy to treat the PI-IBS.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences XDB0540000Natural Science Foundation of China grants 22327901,22174151 and 21991080Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China 2023AFA041。
文摘With rapid developments of emerging technologies like synthetic biology,the demand for DNA polymerases with superior activities including higher thermostability and processivity has increased significantly.Thus,rational optimization of the performance of DNA polymerase is of great interest.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy is a powerful technique used for studying protein structure and dynamics.It provides the atomic resolution information of enzymes under their functional solution environment to reveal the active sites(hot spots)of the enzyme,which could be further used for optimizing the performance of enzymes.In our previous work,we identified hot spot residues of Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase(Pfu pol).We aim to employ these binding hot spots to screen for co-factors of Pfu pol,particularly targeting those molecules exhibiting weak intermolecular interactions.To validate this concept,we first demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing hot spot residues as screening probes for auxiliary factors by employing the well-characterized Tween-20 as a model system.Employing these hot spots as probes,two new co-factors,the heat shock protein TkHSP20 from Thermococcus Kodakaraensis and the chemical chaperone L-arginine,are identified to interact with Pfu pol to boost its performance in amplifying long DNA fragments by enhancing the thermal stability and the processivity of the Pfu pol.This NMR-based approach requires no prior assignment information of target enzymes,guiding the rational exploration of novel cofactors for Pfu pol.Moreover,our approach is not dependent on structural data or bioinformatics.Therefore,it has significant potential for application in various enzymes to expedite the progress in enzyme engineering.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(32188101 and 81971976).
文摘Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD),mainly caused by enterovirus 71(EV71),has frequently occurred in the Asia-Pacific region,posing a significant threat to the health of infants and young children.Therefore,research on the infection mechanism and pathogenicity of enteroviruses is increasingly becoming important.The 3D polymerase,as the most critical RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)for EV71 replication,is widely targeted to inhibit EV71 infection.In this study,we identified a novel host protein,AIMP2,capable of binding to 3D polymerase and inhibiting EV71 infection.Subsequent investigations revealed that AIMP2 recruits the E3 ligase SMURF2,which mediates the polyubiquitination and degradation of 3D polymerase.Furthermore,the antiviral effect of AIMP2 extended to the CVA16 and CVB1 serotypes.Our research has uncovered the dynamic regulatory function of AIMP2 during EV71 infection,revealing a novel antiviral mechanism and providing new insights for the development of antienteroviral therapeutic strategies.
基金funded by the Starting Fund from Zhejiang University to N.L.and grants to X.L.from National Natural Science Foundation of China(82170120 and 81670108)CAMS Initiative for Innovative Medicine(2017-12M-B&R-04)+2 种基金Medical Epigenetics Research Cen-ter,CAMS(2018PT31015)the State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology(2060204)Haihe L aboratory of Cell Ecosystem Innovation Fund(22HHXBSS00008).
文摘The post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA is a crucial component of gene expression.The disruption of this process has detrimental effects on the normal development and gives rise to various diseases.Searching for novel post-transcriptional regulators and exploring their roles are essential for understanding development and disease.Through a multimodal analysis of red blood cell trait genome-wide association studies(GWAS)and transcriptomes of erythropoiesis,we identify FAM46C,a non-canonical RNA poly(A)polymerase,as a necessary factor for proper red blood cell development.FAM46C is highly expressed in the late stages of the erythroid lineage,and its developmental upregulation is controlled by an erythroidspecific enhancer.We demonstrate that FAM46C stabilizes mRNA and regulates erythroid differentiation in a polymerase activity-dependent manner.Furthermore,we identify transcripts of lysosome and mitochondria components as highly confident in vivo targets of FAM46C,which aligns with the need of maturing red blood cells for substantial clearance of organelles and maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis.In conclusion,our study unveils a unique role of FAM46C in positively regulating lysosome and mitochondria components,thereby promoting erythropoiesis.
基金supported by the project of funds by the Consultation of Provincial Department and University for S&T Innovation granted by Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology and Hebei Medical University(2020TXZH04).
文摘Introduction:DNA polymerases are crucial for maintaining genome stability and influencing tumorigenesis.However,the clinical implications of DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and their potential as anti-cancer therapy targets are not well understood.Methods:We conducted a systematic analysis using TCGA Pan-Cancer Atlas data and Gene Set Cancer Analysis results to examine the expression profiles of 15 DNA polymerases(POLYs)and their clinical correlations.We also evaluated the prognostic value of POLYs by analyzing their expression levels in relation to overall survival time(OS)using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,we investigated the correlations between POLY expression and immune cells,DNA damage repair(DDR)pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Results:Our analysis revealed that 14 out of 15 POLYs exhibited significantly distinct expression patterns between tumor and normal samples across most cancer types,except for DNA nucleotidylexotransferase(DNTT).Specifically,POLD1 and POLE showed elevated expression in almost all cancers,while POLQ exhibited high expression levels in all cancer types.Some POLYs showed heightened expression in specific cancer subtypes,while others exhibited low expression.Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated significant prognostic value of POLYs in multiple cancers,including PAAD,KIRC,and ACC.Cox analysis further validated these findings.Alteration patterns of POLYs varied significantly among different cancer types and were associated with poorer survival outcomes.Significant correlations were observed between the expression of POLY members and immune cells,DDR pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis indicated an inverse relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Conclusion:Our comprehensive study highlights the significant role of POLYs in cancer development and identifies them as promising prognostic and immunological biomarkers for various cancer types.Additionally,targeting POLYs therapeutically holds promise for tumor immunotherapy.
文摘BACKGROUND Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors(PARPis)are approved as first-line therapies for breast cancer gene(BRCA)-positive,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.They are also effective for new and recurrent ovarian cancers that are BRCA-or homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)-positive.However,data on these mutations and PARPi use in the Middle East are limited.AIM To assess BRCA/HRD prevalence and PARPi use in patients in the Middle East with breast/ovarian cancer.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective study of 57 of 472 breast cancer patients tested for BRCA mutations,and 25 of 65 ovarian cancer patients tested for HRD.These adult patients participated in at least four visits to the oncology service at our center between August 2021 and May 2023.Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared using counts and percentages.Response to treatment was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria.RESULTS Among the 472 breast cancer patients,12.1%underwent BRCA testing,and 38.5%of 65 ovarian cancer patients received HRD testing.Pathogenic mutations were found in 25.6%of the tested patients:26.3%breast cancers had germline BRCA(gBRCA)mutations and 24.0%ovarian cancers showed HRD.Notably,40.0%of gBRCA-positive breast cancers and 66.0%of HRD-positive ovarian cancers were Middle Eastern and Asian patients,respectively.PARPi treatment was used in 5(33.3%)gBRCA-positive breast cancer patients as first-line therapy(n=1;7-months progression-free),for maintenance(n=2;>15-months progression-free),or at later stages due to compliance issues(n=2).Four patients(66.6%)with HRD-positive ovarian cancer received PARPi and all remained progression-free.CONCLUSION Lower testing rates but higher BRCA mutations in breast cancer were found.Ethnicity reflected United Arab Emirates demographics,with breast cancer in Middle Eastern and ovarian cancer in Asian patients.
文摘This study utilizes the enzyme-substrate complex theory to predict the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 treatments at the biological systems level, using molecular docking stability indicators. Experimental data from the Protein Data Bank and molecular structures generated by AlphaFold 3 were used to create macromolecular complex templates. Six templates were developed, including the holo nsp7-nsp8-nsp12 (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) complex with dsRNA primers (holo-RdRp-RNA). The study evaluated several ligands—Favipiravir-RTP, Remdesivir, Abacavir, Ribavirin, and Oseltamivir—as potential viral RNA polymerase inhibitors. Notably, the first four of these ligands have been clinically employed in the treatment of COVID-19, allowing for comparative analysis. Molecular docking simulations were performed using AutoDock 4, and statistical differences were assessed through t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. A review of the literature on COVID-19 treatment outcomes and inhibitors targeting RNA polymerase enzymes was conducted, and the inhibitors were ranked according to their clinical efficacy: Remdesivir > Favipiravir-RTP > Oseltamivir. Docking results obtained from the second and third templates aligned with clinical observations. Furthermore, Abacavir demonstrated a predicted efficacy comparable to Favipiravir-RTP, while Ribavirin exhibited a predicted efficacy similar to that of Remdesivir. This research, focused on inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, establishes a framework for screening AI-generated drug templates based on clinical outcomes. Additionally, it develops a drug screening platform based on molecular docking binding energy, enabling the evaluation of novel or repurposed drugs and potentially accelerating the drug development process.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV),hepatitis B virus(HBV),and human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)are the most epidemic blood-borne viruses,posing threats to human health and causing economic losses to nations for combating the infection transmission.The diagnostic methodologies that depend on the detection of viral nucleic acids are much more expensive,but they are more accurate than sero-logical testing.AIM To develop a rapid,cost-effective,and accurate diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)assay for simultaneous detection of HCV,HBV,and HIV-1.METHODS The design of the proposed PCR assay targets the amplification of a short conserved region featured with a distinguishable melting profile and electro-phoretic molecular weight inside each viral genome.Therefore,this diagnostic method will be appropriate for application in both conventional(combined with electrophoresis)and real-time PCR facilities.Confirmatory in silico investigations were conducted to prove the capability of the approached PCR assay to detect variants of each virus.Then,Egyptian isolates of each virus were subjected to the wet lab examination using the given diagnostic assay.RESULTS The in silico investigations confirmed that the PCR primers can match many viral variants in a multiplex PCR assay.The wet lab experiment proved the efficiency of the assay in distinguishing each viral type through high-resolution melting analysis.Compared to related published assays,the proposed assay in the current study is more sensitive and competitive with many expensive PCR assays.CONCLUSION This study provides a simple,cost-effective,and sensitive diagnostic PCR assay facilitating the detection of the most epidemic blood-borne viruses;this makes the proposed assay promising to be substitutive for the mistakable and cheap serological-based assays.
文摘Objective: To develop a sensitive, specific and simple method for detection of extremely low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical specimens, as a significant addition to the serologic tests for syphilis diagnosis. Methods: Double-tube nested PCR(DN-PCR) and single-tube nested PCR(SN-PCR) assays were performed to amplify specific fragments of the DNA poly-merase I gene(polA) of T. pallidum. Sensitivity and specificity of the two PCR assays were tested. Eighty-six whole blood specimens from persons with suspected syphilis were detected by the two nested PCR methods. The TPPA test was used as a comparison for detecting syphilis in sera from corresponding patients. Results: Only specific amplicons could be obtained during amplification of the T. pallidum polA gene and the detection limit was approximately 1 organism when analyzed on gel by the two PCR methods. Of 86 clinical specimens, 62 were positive by TPPA. Of these, 54 and 51 were positive by the DN-PCR and SN-PCR, respectively, which does not represent a statistically significant difference between the two PCR tests. Of 24 TPPA-negative specimens, 5 were positive by both DN-PCR assay and SN-PCR assay. Conclusion: The SN- polA PCR method is extremely sensitive, specific and easy to perform for detecting low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical blood specimens as a complementary to serology for syphilis diagnosis.
文摘DNA fingerprinting among members of the Chinese drug Pu Gong Ying(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand,-Mazz.)and six adulterants of Tu Gong Ying were demonstrated with random-primed polymerase chain reaction(PCR)including arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction(AP-PCR)and random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD).Distinctive,reproducible genomic fingerprints from DNA from 7 species belonged to Compositae were generated with two long(20 and 24 mer)and one short(10 mer)randomly chosen primers.The Pu Gong Ying can be differentiated from six species of Tu Gong Ying according to the banding pattems of their amplified DNA on agarose gels.The results showed that AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.Moreover,the Similarity Indexes of the genomic DNA fingerprints showed that Pu Gong Ying and its adulterants are unrelated.Therefore,AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.
基金The paper was support by a grant from the Ministry Youth Research of China,No.98-1-269
文摘AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCV positive patient to permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNA strands of the cultured cells and growth media were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each month. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV were further tested using immunohistochemical SP method and in situ RT-PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA positive strands were consistently detected the cultured cells for one year. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells and the positive-strand RNA in supernatants were observed intermittently. Immunohistochemical results medicated expression of HCV NS3 and C proteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positive signal of PCR product was dark blue and mainly localized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCR signal was eliminated by overnight RNase digestion but not DNase digestion. CONCLUSION: HCV may exist and remain functional in a cultured cell line for a long period.
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection represents a significant health problem and represents a heavy load on some countries like Egypt in which about 20%of the total population are infected.Initial infection is usually asymptomatic and result in chronic hepatitis that give rise to complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.The management of HCV infection should not only be focus on therapy,but also to screen carrier individuals in order to prevent transmission.In the present,molecular detection and quantification of HCV genome by real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)represent the gold standard in HCV diagnosis and plays a crucial role in the management of therapeutic regimens.However,real time PCR is a complicated approach and of limited distribution.On the other hand,isothermal DNA amplification techniques have been developed and offer molecular diagnosis of infectious dieses at point-of-care.In this review we discuss recombinase polymerase amplification technique and illustrate its diagnostic value over both PCR and other isothermal amplification techniques.
文摘Nonhomologous DNA end joining （NHEJ） is the primary pathway for repair of double-strand DNA breaks in human cells and in multicellular eukaryotes. The causes of double-strand breaks often fragment the DNA at the site of damage, resulting in the loss of information there. NHEJ does not restore the lost information and may resect additional nucleotides during the repair process. The ability to repair a wide range of overhang and damage configurations reflects the flexibility of the nuclease, polymerases, and ligase of NHEJ. The flexibility of the individual components also explains the large number of ways in which NHEJ can repair any given pair of DNA ends. The loss of information locally at sites of NHEJ repair may contribute to cancer and aging, but the action by NHEJ ensures that entire segments of chromosomes are not lost.
文摘In their seminal publication describing the structure of the DNA double helix , Watson and Crick wrote what may be one of the greatest understatements in the scientific literature, namely that ＂It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material.＂ Half a century later, we more fully appreciate what a huge challenge it is to replicate six billion nucleotides with the accuracy needed to stably maintain the human genome over many generations. This challenge is perhaps greater than was realized 50 years ago, because subsequent studies have revealed that the genome can be destabilized not only by environmental stresses that generate a large number and variety of potentially cytotoxic and mutagenic lesions in DNA but also by various sequence motifs of normal DNA that present challenges to replication. Towards a better understanding of the many determinants of genome stability, this chapter reviews the fidelity with which undamaged and damaged DNA is copied, with a focus on the eukaryotic B- and Y-family DNA polymerases, and considers how this fidelity is achieved.
文摘AIM To explore a rapid and easy sequencing method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, and establish a new sequencing method in China. METHODS Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was combined with DNA sequencing technique. PCR products were purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) respectively. Then in the presence of a 5′ labeling PCR primer, purified PCR products were directly sequenced. By this method, HCV NS5b cDNA from two HCV infected individuals (HC 42 and HC 49) were sequenced.
基金Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea,No.2022R1A2B5B01001421the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute,the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea,No.HI22C0476.
文摘BACKGROUND The presence of two distinct hepatitis B virus(HBV)Pol RT polymorphisms,rt269L and rt269I,could contribute to the unique clinical or virological phenotype of HBV genotype C2.Therefore,a simple and sensitive method capable of identifying both types in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients infected with genotype C2 should be developed.AIM To develop a novel simple and sensitive locked nucleic acid(LNA)-real timepolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)method capable of identifying two rt269 types in CHB genotype C2 patients.METHODS We designed proper primer and probe sets for LNA-RT-PCR for the separation of rt269 types.Using synthesized DNAs of the wild type and variant forms,melting temperature analysis,detection sensitivity,and endpoint genotyping for LNA-RT-PCR were performed.The developed LNA-RT-PCR method was applied to a total of 94 CHB patients of genotype C2 for the identification of two rt269 polymorphisms,and these results were compared with those obtained by a direct sequencing protocol.RESULTS The LNA-RT-PCR method could identify two rt269L and rt269I polymorphisms of three genotypes,two rt269L types[‘L1’(WT)and‘L2’]and one rt269I type(‘I’)in single(63 samples,72.4%)or mixed forms(24 samples,27.6%)in 87(92.6%sensitivity)of 94 samples from Korean CHB patients.When the results were compared with those obtained by the direct sequencing protocol,the LNA-RT-PCR method showed the same results in all but one of 87 positive detected samples(98.9%specificity).CONCLUSION The newly developed LNA-RT-PCR method could identify two rt269 polymorphisms,rt269L and rt269I,in CHB patients with genotype C2 infections.This method could be effectively used for the understanding of disease progression in genotype C2 endemic areas.
基金Supported by Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases and Research Grant Committee of Hong Kong Government
文摘AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carriers＇ semen and sera using phenol extraction method and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit （Qiagen, Germany）. HBV DNA was detected by conventional PCR and quantified by TaqMan technology-based real-time PCR （quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR））. The detection threshold was 200 copies of HBV DNA for conventional PCR and 10 copies of HBV DNA for real time PCR per reaction. RESULTS： Both methods of phenol extraction and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit were suitable for isolating HBV DNA from semen. The value of the detection thresholds was 500 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. The viral loads were 7.5×10^7 and 1.67×10^7 copies of HBV DNA per mL in two HBV infected patients＇ sera, while 2.14×10^5 and 3.02×10^5 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR is a more sensitive and accurate method to detect and quantify HBV DNA in the semen.
文摘Single-strand breaks （SSBs） can occur in cells either directly, or indirectly following initiation of base excision repair （BER）. SSBs generally have blocked termini lacking the conventional 5＇-phosphate and 3＇-hydroxyl groups and require further processing prior to DNA synthesis and ligation. XRCC1 is devoid of any known enzymatic activity, but it can physically interact with other proteins involved in all stages of the overlapping SSB repair and BER pathways, including those that conduct the rate-limiting end-tailoring, and in many cases can stimulate their enzymatic activities. XRCC1^-/- mouse fibroblasts are most hypersensitive to agents that produce DNA lesions repaired by monofunctional glycosylase-initiated BER and that result in formation of indirect SSBs. A requirement for the deoxyribose phosphate lyase activity of DNA polymerase β （pol β） is specific to this pathway, whereas pol β is implicated in gap-filling during repair of many types of SSBs. Elevated levels of strand breaks, and diminished repair, have been demonstrated in MMS- treated XRCC1^-/-, and to a lesser extent in pol β^-/- cell lines, compared with wild-type cells. Thus a strong correlation is observed between cellular sensitivity to MMS and the ability of cells to repair MMS-induced damage. Exposure of wild-type and polβ^-/- cells to an inhibitor of PARP activity dramatically potentiates MMS-induced cytotoxicity. XRCC1^-/- cells are also sensitized by PARP inhibition demonstrating that PARP-mediated poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation plays a role in modulation of cytotoxicity beyond recruitment of XRCC 1 to sites of DNA damage.
