Molecular approaches to genome analysis: a strategy for the construction of ordered overlapping clone libraries

The use of simulated annealing in chromosome reconstruction experiments based on binary scoring

We present a method of combinatorial optimization, simulated annealing, to order clones in a library with respect to their position along a chromosome. This ordering method relies on scoring each clone for the presence or absence of specific target sequences, thereby assigning a digital signature to each clone. Specifically, we consider the hybridization of oligonucleotide probes to a clone to constitute the signature. In that the degree of clonal overlap is reflected in the similarity of their signatures, it is possible to construct maps based on the minimization of the differences in signatures across a reconstructed chromosome. Our simulations show that with as few as 30 probes and a clonal density of 4.5 genome equivalents, it is possible to assemble a small eukaryotic chromosome into 33 contiguous blocks of clones (contigs). With higher clonal densities and more probes, this number can be reduced to less than 5 contigs per chromosome.

W (A or T) sequences as probes and primers suitable for genomic mapping and fingerprinting

A limitation to the use of oligonucleotide probes as tools for genetic and physical mapping has been the low hybridization positive frequency obtained by oligonucleotides of sufficient length to hybridize preferentially to cloned insert DNA (and not host E. coli genomic DNA). Both computer and experimental results now indicate that oligonucleotide probes composed of W (A or T) sequence are preferentially found in eukaryotic DNA, and can be used to provide high frequency, discriminative hybridization. Such W sequences may be useful as either probes or PCR primers in molecular diagnostic applications as well as in genetic and physical mapping.

Theoretical analysis of a physical mapping strategy using random single-copy landmarks

An approach to physical mapping is analyzed here. This procedure consists of fingerprinting random clones with single-copy landmarks extracted randomly from a region of interest. Results are presented in terms of number of contigs (sets of overlapping clones), number of isolated clones, average length of a contig, and coverage of the genome by contigs larger than a given size. (i) The expected results of an ideal project are presented. (ii) Certain problems that could influence progress of the map (variability in clone insert length, double inserts, etc.) are considered. (iii) An optimal project, which consists of a 7-fold representative library fingerprinted with an average of five sequence-tagged sites per clone, is analyzed. (iv) We present strategical considerations for the proposed approach, and a strategy that minimizes the number of laboratory tests without significant information loss is proposed: clones are arranged on a matrix and pooled according to rows and columns. A fingerprint is determined for each pool, and analysis allows retrieval of the positive clones. This method reduces the number of laboratory tests done by a factor of 160.

Construction, arraying, and high-density screening of large insert libraries of human chromosomes X and 21: their potential use as reference libraries

We have constructed cosmid libraries from flow-sorted human chromosomes X and 21, each of which contains greater than 30 genome equivalents, and have developed systems allowing permanent storage of primary clones, easy screening of libraries in high-density filter formats, and the simultaneous generation of fingerprinting and mapping data on the same set of cosmid clones. Clones are picked into microtiter plate wells and stored at -70 degrees C. A semiautomatic robot system allows the generation of filter replicas containing up to 10,000 clones per membrane. Sets of membranes containing 15-20 chromosome equivalents of both chromosomes will be used for the construction of ordered clone libraries by hybridization fingerprinting protocols. In addition, multiple sets of two membranes containing 4 chromosome equivalents of the human X chromosome, and one membrane containing 3 chromosome equivalents of chromosome 21, have been distributed to other interested laboratories as part of a system of reference libraries. This system allows other groups easy access to the clones and offers an efficient protocol to combine results generated in different laboratories using these libraries. Here we describe the construction of the libraries and demonstrate the use of high-density screening filters in oligonucleotide probe hybridizations and the isolation of cosmids by hybridization with probes from the X chromosome.

An improved bacterial colony lysis procedure enables direct DNA hybridisation using short (10, 11 bases) oligonucleotides to cosmids

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The complete AvrII restriction map of the Escherichia coli genome and comparisons of several laboratory strains

The complete 13 site AvrII restriction map of the genome of E coli strain MG1655 is presented and compared with several other E. coli strains. The map was determined primarily by isolating individual AvrII fragments from pulsed-field gels, and hybridizing these large probes to a battery of mapped E. coli clones in lambda vectors. AvrII restriction patterns for eight other laboratory strains were determined and maps for seven of them deduced from the gel and comparisons between the strain genotypes, the MG1655 map, and AvrII sites in E. coli sequences taken from Genbank.

Ordering of cosmid clones covering the herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) genome: a test case for fingerprinting by hybridisation

To allow the efficient construction of ordered clone libraries, we have been investigating the use of 'oligonucleotide fingerprinting' as an approach to identify overlapping clones, and ultimately restore the linear order of the clone set. To test the effectiveness of the procedure, we have constructed a cosmid library from the genome of the human DNA virus HSV-I and used hybridisation to multiple oligonucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence to reconstruct the order of clones and oligonucleotides on the genome.