Notes: This study examined how well primers developed in 1990 and 2004 for type A rotavirus (RVA) were able to genotype (G type) currently circulating RVAs in Asia. The VP7 gene from RVA was amplified using 2µl of dsRNA template with the AccessQuick™ RT-PCR System in a total volume of 50µl. The G type was determined using hemi-nested multiplex PCR using 1µl of the VP7 cDNA and PCR Master Mix in a final volume of 50µl. The final products were sequenced. (4340)

Notes: In this study of the frequency of human papilloma virus (HPV) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the MagneSil^® Genomic, Fixed Tissue System was used to isolate DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from primary tumors and matched samples. Five microliters of genomic DNA was amplified using PCR Master Mix and primers for both a 110 bp fragment of human ß-globin gene and HPV genotype. After PCR, the product was analyzed on an 8% nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel and stained with AgNO₃. (3938)

Notes: The authors investigated the expression pattern of type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (type 1a GHSR), a receptor for ghrelin. In situ RT-PCR was performed on paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded mouse spinal cord tissue. Prior to in situ RT-PCR, tissue sections were treated with proteinase K and triethanolamine, then dewaxed. Reverse transcription was performed using the Reverse Transcription System and oligo (dT)₁₅ primers; followed by amplification using the PCR Master Mix in the presence of 11-digoxygenin-dUTP (1mM). Amplification products were detected using an anti-digoxygenin, alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat antibody and nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo-3-indolylphosphate-p-toluidine salt (NBT/BCIP). (3968)

Notes: Telomeres shorten by 50–100 bases with each cell division, making the telomere a "mitotic counter" that can limit cellular lifespan. Telomerase is a two-component protein consisting of a reverse transcriptase (hTERT) bound to its own RNA template that can act to maintain telomere length in dividing cells. Telomerase is highly active in dividing cells such as germ cells, stem cells and many cancers. This paper investigated the role of methylation of the hTERT promoter and the transcription factor CTCF in regulation of telomerase activity. LacZ reporter plasmids driven by the hTERT minimal promoter were transiently transfected into HeLa cells, and reporter assays were performed on lysate generated using Passive Lysis Buffer. The hTERT minimal promoter did not show activity if all of the CpG sites were methylated. The promoter and first exon of hTERT were amplified using PCR Master Mix from sodium bisulfite-treated genomic DNA isolated from telomerase-positive cell lines and tissues. The resulting fragments were cloned using the pGEM^®-T Vector System II. For the methylation cassette assay, methylated and unmethylated fragments were cloned into a methylated or unmethylated vector using the LigaFast™ Rapid DNA Ligation System. The authors conclude that methylation plays a dual role in regulating hTERT expression. CTCF will bind to the first exon of hTERT when the hTERT CpG island is not methylated, resulting in downregulation of hTERT expression. Although CTCF cannot bind the hTERT promoter when the DNA is completely methylated, the methylation itself completely represses transcription. In situations where there is partial methylation of the promoter, such as in tumor cells, CTCF cannot bind to the promoter, but the partial methylation is not enough to repress transcription, and hTERT is expressed. (3641)

Notes: While the absence of the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has profound effects in skin cells, mutation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (24OHase), the enzyme required for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) hormone biosynthesis, has little effect on the skin. To determine how VDR may transactivate independent of the 1,25(OH)₂D₃ ligand, the human 24-hydroxylase promoter was amplified from MCF-7 genomic DNA, digested with XhoI and HindIII and inserted into the pGL3-Basic Vector. Mutations in the proximal and distal vitamin D response elements in the human 24-hydroxylase promoter were introduced using the GeneEditor™ Site-Directed Mutagenesis System. HaCaT cells, primary human fibroblasts or primary human keratinocytes were seeded at a density of 3.2 × 10⁴ cells/well in 12-well plates and transiently transfected with reporter constructs. After 18 hours, the cells were exposed to 1,25(OH)₂D₃, 9-cis-retinoic acid, ethanol vehicle, or no additive and harvested 24 hours later. The luciferase activity of the cell lysates was measured using the Dual-Luciferase^® Reporter Assay System. Five micrograms of RNA purified from mouse keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures was reverse transcribed and amplified for the 24OHase transcripts using the PCR Master Mix. The products were analyzed on ethidium bromide-stained 2% agarose gels. (3695)

Notes: These authors developed a quantitative, real-time PCR method for the detection of Verticillium dahliae in potato cultivars. V. dahiae is the causative agent of Verticillium wilt, also known as potato early dying (PED). The standard detection method is a plating assay that takes 2 weeks to complete. The authors of this study performed qPCR assays using the V. dahliae beta tubulin-2 gene as a target. Initially, they amplified, subcloned and sequenced seven different genes in order to identify targets that were polymorphic among the genus Verticillium, but monomorphic in V. dahliae. After selection of beta-tubulin 2 as a suitable target, monoplex and duplex qPCR assays were performed using a Bio-Rad iCycler thermal cycler and 1ng DNA from various cultivars. For the duplex assays, the Plexor^® qPCR System was used to amplify both beta-tubulin 2 and beta-actin genes simultaneously. One beta-tubulin primer was labeled with FAM, and one actin primer was labeled with Redmond Red phosphoramidite. Amplifications were performed in 25µl reactions with 200nM each primer, 1ng DNA, and the Plexor^® Master Mix. Cycling conditions were as follows: 2 minutes at 95°C; 40 cycles of 5s at 95°C, 35s at 61°C. Melt curve analysis was performed to confirm the specificity of the amplification products. The qPCR assays were shown to be faster and more sensitive than the standard plating technique, and were one order of magnitude more sensitive than other PCR-based assays. (3673)

Notes: The acetylation status of histones was explored as an indicator of functional gene expression. The acetylation status of core histones H3 and H4 were assessed in treated and untreated cells by crosslinking chromatin, immunoprecipitating the chromatin with acetyl-H3 and acetyl-H4 specific antibodies. The crosslinking was reversed and the immunoprecipitated were phenol chloroform extracted then amplified for the mouse histone H4 gene. Amplifications were also set up with untreated genomic DNA to insure the amplification was within the linear range and to supply standards for gel-based quantitation.  All amplifications were performed with the PCR Master Mix. (2611)

Notes: RT-PCR was used to assess the response of mitotic spermatogonia to Kit1. Spermatogonia were cultured with and without Kit1 and RNA harvested after 24 hours. RT-PCR was performed in a two-step reaction using first the ImProm-II™ Reverse Transcriptase in a 20µl reaction. One microliter of the RT reaction was removed and amplified in a 50µl PCR using the PCR Master Mix. (2626)

Notes: RT-PCR was used to confirm the expression of the lef-12 gene at various times post-infection. The RT step was performed using ImProm-II™ Reverse Transcriptase in a 20µl reaction volume. One microliter of the RT reaction was amplified in a 50µl PCR amplification reaction using the PCR Master Mix. (2628)