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Dar GH, Mendes CC, Kuan WL, Speciale AA, Conceição M, Görgens A, Uliyakina I, Lobo MJ, Lim WF, El Andaloussi S, Mäger I, Roberts TC, Barker RA, Goberdhan DCI, Wilson C, Wood MJA. Author Correction: GAPDH controls extracellular vesicle biogenesis and enhances the therapeutic potential of EV mediated siRNA delivery to the brain. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7357. [PMID: 34916508 PMCID: PMC8677793 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Hassan Dar
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Cláudia C Mendes
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Wei-Li Kuan
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Alfina A Speciale
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Mariana Conceição
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - André Görgens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholme, Sweden
| | - Inna Uliyakina
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Miguel J Lobo
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Wooi F Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholme, Sweden
| | - Imre Mäger
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Thomas C Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Deborah C I Goberdhan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Clive Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK.
- Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK.
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Dar GH, Mendes CC, Kuan WL, Speciale AA, Conceição M, Görgens A, Uliyakina I, Lobo MJ, Lim WF, El Andaloussi S, Mäger I, Roberts TC, Barker RA, Goberdhan DCI, Wilson C, Wood MJA. GAPDH controls extracellular vesicle biogenesis and enhances the therapeutic potential of EV mediated siRNA delivery to the brain. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6666. [PMID: 34795295 PMCID: PMC8602309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27056-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles with important roles in intercellular communication, and potential as drug delivery vehicles. Here we demonstrate a role for the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in EV assembly and secretion. We observe high levels of GAPDH binding to the outer surface of EVs via a phosphatidylserine binding motif (G58), which promotes extensive EV clustering. Further studies in a Drosophila EV biogenesis model reveal that GAPDH is required for the normal generation of intraluminal vesicles in endosomal compartments, and promotes vesicle clustering. Fusion of the GAPDH-derived G58 peptide to dsRNA-binding motifs enables highly efficient loading of small interfering RNA (siRNA) onto the EV surface. Such vesicles efficiently deliver siRNA to multiple anatomical regions of the brain in a Huntington's disease mouse model after systemic injection, resulting in silencing of the huntingtin gene in different regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Hassan Dar
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Cláudia C Mendes
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Wei-Li Kuan
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Alfina A Speciale
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Mariana Conceição
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - André Görgens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholme, Sweden
| | - Inna Uliyakina
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Miguel J Lobo
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Wooi F Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, 14186, Stockholme, Sweden
| | - Imre Mäger
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Thomas C Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Deborah C I Goberdhan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Clive Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK.
- Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 9DU, UK.
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Lim WF, Forouhan M, Roberts TC, Dabney J, Ellerington R, Speciale AA, Manzano R, Lieto M, Sangha G, Banerjee S, Conceição M, Cravo L, Biscans A, Roux L, Pourshafie N, Grunseich C, Duguez S, Khvorova A, Pennuto M, Cortes CJ, La Spada AR, Fischbeck KH, Wood MJA, Rinaldi C. Gene therapy with AR isoform 2 rescues spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy phenotype by modulating AR transcriptional activity. Sci Adv 2021; 7:7/34/eabi6896. [PMID: 34417184 PMCID: PMC8378820 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi6896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked, adult-onset neuromuscular condition caused by an abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) tract expansion in androgen receptor (AR) protein. SBMA is a disease with high unmet clinical need. Recent studies have shown that mutant AR-altered transcriptional activity is key to disease pathogenesis. Restoring the transcriptional dysregulation without affecting other AR critical functions holds great promise for the treatment of SBMA and other AR-related conditions; however, how this targeted approach can be achieved and translated into a clinical application remains to be understood. Here, we characterized the role of AR isoform 2, a naturally occurring variant encoding a truncated AR lacking the polyQ-harboring domain, as a regulatory switch of AR genomic functions in androgen-responsive tissues. Delivery of this isoform using a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector type 9 resulted in amelioration of the disease phenotype in SBMA mice by restoring polyQ AR-dysregulated transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooi F Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mitra Forouhan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jesse Dabney
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Raquel Manzano
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria Lieto
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gavinda Sangha
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Lara Cravo
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Loïc Roux
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Naemeh Pourshafie
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Grunseich
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Duguez
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Constanza J Cortes
- Department of Neurology, Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Albert R La Spada
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Neurology, and Biological Chemistry and the UCI Institute for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Fischbeck
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Lim WF, Chivers N, Connolly A, Strain WD. 9CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF CORTRAK (ENTERAL ACCESS SYSTEM) AT ROYAL DEVON AND EXETER. Age Ageing 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afx115.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Lim WF, Burdach J, Funnell APW, Pearson RCM, Quinlan KGR, Crossley M. Directing an artificial zinc finger protein to new targets by fusion to a non-DNA-binding domain. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:3118-30. [PMID: 26673701 PMCID: PMC4838343 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are often regarded as having two separable components: a DNA-binding domain (DBD) and a functional domain (FD), with the DBD thought to determine target gene recognition. While this holds true for DNA binding in vitro, it appears that in vivo FDs can also influence genomic targeting. We fused the FD from the well-characterized transcription factor Krüppel-like Factor 3 (KLF3) to an artificial zinc finger (AZF) protein originally designed to target the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) gene promoter. We compared genome-wide occupancy of the KLF3FD-AZF fusion to that observed with AZF. AZF bound to the VEGF-A promoter as predicted, but was also found to occupy approximately 25 000 other sites, a large number of which contained the expected AZF recognition sequence, GCTGGGGGC. Interestingly, addition of the KLF3 FD re-distributes the fusion protein to new sites, with total DNA occupancy detected at around 50 000 sites. A portion of these sites correspond to known KLF3-bound regions, while others contained sequences similar but not identical to the expected AZF recognition sequence. These results show that FDs can influence and may be useful in directing AZF DNA-binding proteins to specific targets and provide insights into how natural transcription factors operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooi F Lim
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jon Burdach
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alister P W Funnell
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Richard C M Pearson
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kate G R Quinlan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
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Sarrigani GV, Matori KA, Lim WF, Kharazmi A, Quah HJ, Bahari HR, Hashim M. Structural and optical properties of erbium-doped willemite-based glass-ceramics. Appl Opt 2015; 54:9925-9929. [PMID: 26836559 DOI: 10.1364/ao.54.009925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Willemite-based glass-ceramic was prepared from waste material using a conventional melt and quenching method. The crystalline willemite-based glass-ceramic was doped with Er2O3 (1-5 wt.%) followed by sintering at different temperatures (500°C-1100°C). Density and linear shrinkage were increased with the increase of the sintering temperature. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) confirmed an optimum optical absorption for sample doped with 3 wt.% of Er2O3 and sintered at 900°C. Photoluminescence measurements further confirmed 3 wt.% of Er2O3 as the optimum percentage of dopant. Results suggested that the obtained glass-ceramic could be a promising material for use as fiber amplifiers.
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Funnell APW, Vernimmen D, Lim WF, Mak KS, Wienert B, Martyn GE, Artuz CM, Burdach J, Quinlan KGR, Higgs DR, Whitelaw E, Pearson RCM, Crossley M. Differential regulation of the α-globin locus by Krüppel-like Factor 3 in erythroid and non-erythroid cells. BMC Mol Biol 2014; 15:8. [PMID: 24885809 PMCID: PMC4033687 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-15-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Krüppel-like Factor 3 (KLF3) is a broadly expressed zinc-finger transcriptional repressor with diverse biological roles. During erythropoiesis, KLF3 acts as a feedback repressor of a set of genes that are activated by Krüppel-like Factor 1 (KLF1). Noting that KLF1 binds α-globin gene regulatory sequences during erythroid maturation, we sought to determine whether KLF3 also interacts with the α-globin locus to regulate transcription. Results We found that expression of a human transgenic α-globin reporter gene is markedly up-regulated in fetal and adult erythroid cells of Klf3−/− mice. Inspection of the mouse and human α-globin promoters revealed a number of canonical KLF-binding sites, and indeed, KLF3 was shown to bind to these regions both in vitro and in vivo. Despite these observations, we did not detect an increase in endogenous murine α-globin expression in Klf3−/− erythroid tissue. However, examination of murine embryonic fibroblasts lacking KLF3 revealed significant de-repression of α-globin gene expression. This suggests that KLF3 may contribute to the silencing of the α-globin locus in non-erythroid tissue. Moreover, ChIP-Seq analysis of murine fibroblasts demonstrated that across the locus, KLF3 does not occupy the promoter regions of the α-globin genes in these cells, but rather, binds to upstream, DNase hypersensitive regulatory regions. Conclusions These findings reveal that the occupancy profile of KLF3 at the α-globin locus differs in erythroid and non-erythroid cells. In erythroid cells, KLF3 primarily binds to the promoters of the adult α-globin genes, but appears dispensable for normal transcriptional regulation. In non-erythroid cells, KLF3 distinctly binds to the HS-12 and HS-26 elements and plays a non-redundant, albeit modest, role in the silencing of α-globin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Burdach J, Funnell APW, Mak KS, Artuz CM, Wienert B, Lim WF, Tan LY, Pearson RCM, Crossley M. Regions outside the DNA-binding domain are critical for proper in vivo specificity of an archetypal zinc finger transcription factor. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:276-89. [PMID: 24106088 PMCID: PMC3874204 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are often regarded as being composed of a DNA-binding domain (DBD) and a functional domain. The two domains are considered separable and autonomous, with the DBD directing the factor to its target genes and the functional domain imparting transcriptional regulation. We examined an archetypal zinc finger (ZF) TF, Krüppel-like factor 3 with an N-terminal domain that binds the corepressor CtBP and a DBD composed of three ZFs at its C-terminus. We established a system to compare the genomic occupancy profile of wild-type Krüppel-like factor 3 with two mutants affecting the N-terminal functional domain: a mutant unable to contact the cofactor CtBP and a mutant lacking the entire N-terminal domain, but retaining the ZFs intact. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing was used to assess binding across the genome in murine embryonic fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, we observe that mutations in the N-terminal domain generally reduced binding, but there were also instances where binding was retained or even increased. These results provide a clear demonstration that the correct localization of TFs to their target genes is not solely dependent on their DNA-contact domains. This informs our understanding of how TFs operate and is of relevance to the design of artificial ZF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Burdach
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia and School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Bell-Anderson KS, Funnell AP, Williams H, Mat Jusoh H, Scully T, Lim WF, Burdach JG, Mak KS, Knights AJ, Hoy AJ, Nicholas HR, Sainsbury A, Turner N, Pearson RC, Crossley M. Loss of Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3/BKLF) leads to upregulation of the insulin-sensitizing factor adipolin (FAM132A/CTRP12/C1qdc2). Diabetes 2013; 62:2728-37. [PMID: 23633521 PMCID: PMC3717849 DOI: 10.2337/db12-1745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) is a transcriptional regulator that we have shown to be involved in the regulation of adipogenesis in vitro. Here, we report that KLF3-null mice are lean and protected from diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. On a chow diet, plasma levels of leptin are decreased, and adiponectin is increased. Despite significant reductions in body weight and adiposity, wild-type and knockout animals show equivalent energy intake, expenditure, and excretion. To investigate the molecular events underlying these observations, we used microarray analysis to compare gene expression in Klf3(+/+) and Klf3(-/-) tissues. We found that mRNA expression of Fam132a, which encodes a newly identified insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adipolin, is significantly upregulated in the absence of KLF3. We confirmed that KLF3 binds the Fam132a promoter in vitro and in vivo and that this leads to repression of promoter activity. Further, plasma adipolin levels were significantly increased in Klf3(-/-) mice compared with wild-type littermates. Boosting levels of adipolin via targeting of KLF3 offers a novel potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim S Bell-Anderson
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Karthipan SN, George E, Jameela S, Lim WF, Teh LK, Lee TY, Chin VK, Lai MI. An assessment of three noncommercial DNA extraction methods from dried blood spots for beta-thalassaemia mutation identification. Int J Lab Hematol 2011; 33:540-4. [PMID: 21884505 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553x.2011.01304.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dried blood spots (DBS) are currently the recommended sample collection method for newborn screening programmes in America. Early diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia screening is essential as it provides an added advantage especially in sickle cell disease. Beta-thalassaemia frequency is high in many poor countries, and the cost of using commercial DNA extraction kits can be prohibitive. Our study assessed three methods that use minimal reagents and materials to extract DNA from DBS for beta-thalassaemia identification. METHODS The methods assessed in this study were Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer-based method by Bereczky et al. (American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 72, 2005, 249), NaCL/NaOH/Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) method by Huang et al. (Human Genetics 84, 1990, 129) and NaOH method by Zhou et al. (Analytical Biochemistry 354, 2006, 159). Extracted DNA was amplified for three common beta-thalassaemia mutations in Malaysia. RESULTS Amplicons derived from TE buffer-based method were very faint and almost nonexistent while the NaCl/NaOH/SDS method did not produce any visible amplicons. The extraction using NaOH method produced visible bands that were comparable to the standard method using extraction kit. CONCLUSION The NaOH method is a simple method that uses minimal equipment and reagents that make it labour- and cost-effective. This method could be adopted by poorer countries to extract DNA for beta-thalassaemia mutation characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Karthipan
- Department of Pathology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Hematology, Ampang Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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