genomic DNA

About: genomic DNA is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 15046 publications have been published within this topic receiving 663636 citations. The topic is also known as: genomic deoxyribonucleic acid & gDNA.

Detection of homeobox genes in development and evolution.

Abstract: The homeobox genes encode a family of DNA-binding regulatory proteins whose function and genomic organization make them an important model system for the study of development and differentiation. Oligonucleotide primers corresponding to highly conserved regions of Antennapediaclass homeodomains were designed to detect and identify homeobox sequences in populations of DNA or RNA by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Here we present a survey of sequences detected by PCR using an initial set of primers (HoxA and HoxB) based on an early nucleotide consensus for vertebrate Antennapedia-class homeodomains. Several novel sequences are reported from both mouse genomic DNA and RNA from the developing mouse telencephalon. Forebrain-derived clones are similar to the chicken CHox7, Drosophila H2.0, and mouse Hlx genes. PCR also proved to be a rapid method for identifying homeobox sequences from diverse metazoan species. Cloning of three Antennapedia-related sequences from cnidarians provides evidence of ancient roles for homeobox genes early in metazoan evolution.

Microdissection and polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA from histological tissue sections.

Abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are being used increasingly to study the molecular genetic changes that occur in minute cellular lesions that are identified in histological sections. It is often desirable to microdissect the cells of interest in a lesion, isolating them from surrounding normal tissue to obtain the purest representation of genomic DNA possible. We present here an optimized microdissection and DNA extraction protocol that reliably produces PCR-amplifiable DNA from lesional tissue less than 0.1 mm in diameter. The utility of this technique is demonstrated by PCR amplification and sequencing of the K-ras gene and microsatellite PCR analysis of proliferative epithelial lesions in the small ducts of a human pancreas involved by cancer.

Site-specific cleavage of human chromosome 4 mediated by triple-helix formation

Abstract: Direct physical isolation of specific DNA segments from the human genome is a necessary goal in human genetics. For testing whether triple-helix mediated enzymatic cleavage can liberate a specific segment of a human chromosome, the tip of human chromosome 4, which contains the entire candidate region for the Huntington's disease gene, was chosen as a target. A 16-base pyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotide was able to locate a 16-base pair purine target site within more than 10 gigabase pairs of genomic DNA and mediate the exact enzymatic cleavage at that site in more than 80 percent yield. The recognition motif is sufficiently generalizable that most cosmids should contain a sequence targetable by triple-helix formation. This method may facilitate the orchestrated dissection of human chromosomes from normal and affected individuals into megabase sized fragments and facilitate the isolation of candidate gene loci.

Evaluation of the Stability of DNA i-Motifs in the Nuclei of Living Mammalian Cells.

Abstract: C-rich DNA has the capacity to form a tetra-stranded structure known as an i-motif. The i-motifs within genomic DNA have been proposed to contribute to the regulation of DNA transcription. However, direct experimental evidence for the existence of these structures invivo has been missing. Whether i-motif structures form in complex environment of living cells is not currently known. Herein, using state-of-the-art in-cell NMR spectroscopy, we evaluate the stabilities of i-motif structures in the complex cellular environment. We show that i-motifs formed from naturally occurring C-rich sequences in the human genome are stable and persist in the nuclei of living human cells. Our data show that i-motif stabilities invivo are generally distinct from those invitro. Our results are the first to interlink the stability of DNA i-motifs invitro with their stability invivo and provide essential information for the design and development of i-motif-based DNA biosensors for intracellular applications.