Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the human mu opioid receptor gene by hybridization or single nucleotide extension on custom oligonucleotide gelpad microchips: potential in studies of addiction

The human mu opioid receptor (MOR) plays a central role in mediating the effects of opioids, both endogenous and exogenous. Epidemiological studies have shown that addiction in general, and especially opiate addiction, has a heritable component. Clinical and laboratory studies suggest that the MOR gene may contribute to the heritable component of vulnerability to develop opiate addiction. Naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the MOR gene by conventional methods. Two coding region SNPs, the A118G and C17T substitutions, occur at high allelic frequencies (10.5% and 6.6%, respectively, in our previous studies). These common SNPs cause amino acid changes in the receptor, and may have implications for differences in individual responses to opioids, as well as decreased or increased vulnerability to opiate addiction. The A118G substitution encodes a variant receptor with binding and signal transduction differences in response to beta-endorphin in cellular assays. Recent innovations in microchip technology offer new potential methods for SNP detection. We report here on the development of two separate approaches using custom oligonucleotide gelpad microarrays for detection of these two common SNPs of the MOR gene in human DNA samples. First, PCR-amplified genomic DNA samples were used to produce target sequences, which were labeled with fluorescent dye and hybridized to custom microchips. Oligonucleotides on these reusable microchips were designed to query nucleotide substitutions at positions 17 and 118 of the MOR gene. Thirty-six human DNA samples were assayed both on these custom microchips and by conventional automated gel sequencing, with highly concordant identification of both heterozygous and homozygous substitutions. A second approach was developed for the C17T SNP utilizing single nucleotide extension on custom microchips. These custom gelpad microchips have potential for the rapid and inexpensive detection of specific SNPs for genetic and genomic studies.

Manual manufacturing of oligonucleotide, DNA, and protein microchips

A simple procedure for manufacturing microchips containing various gel-immobilized compounds is described. A gel photopolymerization technique is introduced to produce micromatrices of polyacrylamide gel pads (25 x 25 x 20 microm and larger) separated by a hydrophobic glass surface. A pin device for the manual application of a compound in solution onto the activated polyacrylamide gel pad for immobilization is described. Oligonucleotide, DNA, and protein microchips have been produced by this method and tested by hybridization and immunoanalysis monitored with a fluorescence microscope. The effect of the lengths of the immobilized oligonucleotides and the hybridized RNA and DNA on hybridization of the oligonucleotide microchips was evaluated. This method can also be used for manufacturing microchips containing a variety of other compounds.

Laminin E8 alveolarization site: heparin sensitivity, cell surface receptors, and role in cell spreading

Cell adhesion to amino acids 2179-2198 (SN-peptide) of the laminin-1 alpha1-chain is required for lung alveolar formation in vitro (M. L. Matter and G. W. Laurie. J. Cell Biol. 124: 1083-1090, 1994). The nature of the SN-peptide receptor(s) was probed with neutralizing anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies (MAb), cells lacking integrin subunits, soluble heparin, and SN-peptide columns. Cell adhesion and spreading studies confirmed the specificity of SN-peptide and revealed adhesion to be unaffected by inclusion of anti-beta1-, anti-alpha(2-6)- or anti-alpha(V)beta5-integrin MAb. Cells lacking beta1- or alpha6-integrin subunits were fully adherent. Adhesion was heparin, but not chondroitin sulfate or heparinase, sensitive, much as is alpha-dystroglycan-laminin-1 binding. Heparin eluted approximately 155- and 180-kDa cell-surface proteins from SN-peptide columns. An additional approximately 91-kDa protein was eluted by EDTA. All were unrecognized by anti-beta1-integrin MAb. SN-peptide therefore interacts with three cell-surface proteins for which the identity remains to be determined.