Applied Biosystems

About: Applied Biosystems is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Mass spectrometry & Capillary electrophoresis. The organization has 1521 authors who have published 1579 publications receiving 285423 citations.

An ATM- and ATR-dependent checkpoint inactivates spindle assembly by targeting CEP63.

Abstract: Double-strand breaks in DNA activate the kinases ATM and ATR, which block entry into mitosis. ATM and ATR also delay mitotic progression by controlling spindle assembly in Xenopus egg extracts through the phosphorylation of the centrosomal protein CEP63, leading to its delocalization from the centrosome.

Separating DNA sequencing fragments without a sieving matrix.

Abstract: The possibility of separating appropriately labeled DNA fragments using free-flow capillary electrophoresis was predicted a few years ago based on simple theoretical arguments. Free-flow separation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) fragments in the 100-1000 base range was later demonstrated using a streptavidin label. In this article, we now report that end-labeled free-flow electrophoresis (ELFSE) can also be used to sequence single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The first 100 bases of a DNA sequencing reaction were read without any sieving matrix when fractionated streptavidin was added to the 5'-end of the ssDNA fragments. These separations required only 18 min and did not require coated capillaries. An analysis of the results indicates that sample injection, analyte-wall interactions and thermal diffusion are the limiting factors at this time. Extrapolating from our data, we predict that several hundred bases could be sequenced in less than 30 min with the proper conditions. ELFSE thus offers an attractive potential alternative to polymer solutions for DNA sequencing in capillaries and microchips.

Involvement of microRNA lethal-7a in the regulation of embryo implantation in mice

Abstract: MicroRNAs interact with multiple mRNAs resulting in their degradation and/or translational repression. This report used the delayed implantation model to determine the role of miRNAs in blastocysts. Dormant blastocysts in delayed implanting mice were activated by estradiol. Differential expression of 45 out of 238 miRNAs examined was found between the dormant and the activated blastocysts. Five of the nine members of the microRNA lethal-7 (let-7) family were down-regulated after activation. Human blastocysts also had a low expression of let-7 family. Forced-expression of a family member, let-7a in mouse blastocysts decreased the number of implantation sites (let-7a: 1.1±0.4; control: 3.8±0.4) in vivo, and reduced the percentages of blastocyst that attached (let-7a: 42.0±8.3%; control: 79.0±5.1%) and spreaded (let-7a: 33.5±2.9%; control: 67.3±3.8%) on fibronectin in vitro. Integrin-β3, a known implantation-related molecule, was demonstrated to be a target of let-7a by 3′-untranslated region reporter assay in cervical cancer cells HeLa, and Western blotting in mouse blastocysts. The inhibitory effect of forced-expression of let-7a on blastocyst attachment and outgrowth was partially nullified in vitro and in vivo by forced-expression of integrin-β3. This study provides the first direct evidence that let-7a is involved in regulating the implantation process partly via modulation of the expression of integrin-β3. (200 words).

Fast Screening for Drugs of Abuse by Solid-Phase Extraction Combined with Flow-Injection Ionspray-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: A fast analytical approach for the simultaneous quantitative screening for illicit drugs in serum and urine without tedious chromatographic separation steps was developed by combining solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by flow-injection analysis (FIA) with ionspray-ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) detection using a PE Sciex API 300 triple-quadrupole MS. MS-MS analysis was performed by sequentially isolating the precursor ions of the analytes and their deuterated standards with subsequent fragmentation and monitoring of one fragment ion for each substance. A multiple-reaction monitoring experiment was set up for morphine (MO), codeine (COD), amphetamine (AMP), benzoylecgonine (BZE), and their deuterated analogues. For method evaluation, serum samples spiked with 2-1000 ng of each drug and deuterated standards were extracted by mixed-mode SPE, redissolved in CH3CN-NH4OAc-buffer, and directly injected by flow injection into the ionspray source. The specificity of this new method was demonstrated by testing compounds with similar chemical structure for interferences from the analytes of interest (e.g., dihydromorphone, morphine glucuronide, and 6-monoacetylmorphine with MO; dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone with COD; cocaine [COC] and ecgonine methylester with BZE; methamphetamine with AMP). The possibility of interferences of such compounds with the FIA-ionspray-MS-MS screening method is discussed. Spiked serum samples and serum and urine samples from drug addicts and victims of drug abuse were analyzed with FIA-MS-MS and, after derivatization, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Comparable quantitative results were obtained with both methods; no interferences with metabolites or other compounds were found. The FIA-ionspray-MS-MS method is a fast, quantitative, sensitive, and highly specific alternative method to drug-screening by immunoassays, high-performance liquid chromatography, and GC-MS. It can be used for the simultaneous detection of different drugs and metabolites such as opiates, COC, AMP derivatives, and many other drugs.

Relative and absolute quantitative expression profiling of cytochromes P450 using isotope-coded affinity tags.

Abstract: The development of a novel method for absolute quantification of proteins based on isotope-coded affinity tagging using ICAT® reagents is described. The method exploits synthetic peptide standards to determine protein content at the femtomole level in biological samples. The approach is generally applicable to any subset of proteins, but is particularly appropriate for quantitative analysis of multiple, closely related isoforms, and for hydrophobic proteins that are poorly represented in 2-D gels. Relative and absolute quantification techniques are applied to an important group of microsomal metabolic enzymes, the cytochromes P450 (P450), which are critical in determining the disposition, safety and efficacy of drugs in man. Measurement of the P450 induction profile in response to chemicals is a fundamental aspect of drug safety evaluation and is currently achieved by low-throughput methods employing poorly discriminatory antibodies or substrates. Tagging technology is shown to supersede conventional methods for P450 profiling in terms of discriminatory power and throughput, exemplified by the simultaneous detection of distinct induction profiles for cyp2c subfamily members in response to phenobarbitone: cyp2c29 expression, but not cyp2c40 or cyp2c50, was induced threefold by treatment. This technology should abbreviate the drug development pathway, and provide a widely applicable, rapid means of quantifying proteins.