Rapid quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time PCR using efficient TaqMan probe and extraction of virus DNA

AIM： To rapidly quantify hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA by real-time PCR using efficient TaqMan probe and extraction methods of virus DNA. METHODS： Three standards were prepared by cloning PCR products which targeted S, C and X region of HBV genome into pGEM-T vector respectively. A pair of primers and matched TaqMan probe were selected by comparing the copy number and the Ct values of HBV serum samples derived from the three different standard curves using certain serum DNA. Then the efficiency of six HBV DNA extraction methods including guanidinium isothiocyanate, proteinase K, NaI, NaOH lysis, alkaline lysis and simple boiling was analyzed in sample A, B and C by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, 8 clinical HBV serum samples were quantified. RESULTS： The copy number of the same HBV serum sample originated from the standard curve of S, C and X regions was 5.7 × 10^4/mL, 6.3 × 10^2/mL and 1.6 × 10^3/ mL respectively. The relative Ct value was 26.6, 31.8 and 29.5 respectively. Therefore, primers and matched probe from S region were chosen for further optimization of six extraction methods. The copy number of HBV serum samples A, B and C was 3.49 × 10^9/mL, 2.08 × 10^6/mL and 4.40 × 10^7/mL respectively, the relative Ct value was 19.9, 30 and 26.2 in the method of NaOH lysis, which was the efficientest among six methods. Simple boiling showed a slightly lower efficiency than NaOH lysis. Guanidinium isothiocyanate, proteinase K and NaI displayed that the copy number of HBV serum sample A, B and C was around 10^S/mL, meanwhile the Ct value was about 30. Alkaline failed to quantify the copy number of three HBV serum samples. Standard deviation （SD） and coefficient variation （CV） were very low in all 8 clinical HBV serum samples, showing that quantification of HBV DNA in triplicate was reliable and accurate. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR based on optimized primers and TaqMan probe from S region in combination with NaOH lysis is a simple, rapid and accurate method for quantification of HBV serum DNA.

Virus-Encoded microRNAs: Future Therapeutic Targets?

The discovery of microRNAs （miRNAs） is a remarkable breakthrough in the field of molecular genetics, as miRNAs are key actors which regulate gene expression in diverse cellular processes from unicellular yeast to human. The recent discovery of virus-encoded miRNAs indicates that viruses also use this fundamental mode of gene regulation. Research into viral miRNAs function demonstrates that some miRNAs play an important role in regulating both the viral life cycle and the interaction between viruses and their hosts. The first in vivo ＂antagomir＂ study provides an exciting first step towards miRNA therapy, and the potential for ultimately designing molecular medicines based on the modulation of miRNAs seems good.

Effects of emodin on gene expression profile in small cell lung cancer NCI-H446 cells

Background The treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer （SCLC） is based on chemotherapy. However, the treatment is limited by the development of drug resistance. Emodin has been shown to exhibit an anti-cancer effect. But the molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of emodin on the gene expression profile changes in SCLC NCI-H446 cells. Methods NCI-H446 cells were treated with emodin and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by both flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay. The effect of emodin on the gene expression profile of NCI-H446 cells was analyzed using cDNA microarray. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was used to validate the microarray results. Results Emodin suppressed viability, induced apoptosis and changed cell cycle of NCI-H446 cells. Among the 1262 genes, 10 genes were up-regulated and 8 genes were down-regulated more than 2 folds in NCI-H446 cells when compared with the control cells after treatment with emodin for 12 hours, while 12 genes were up-regulated and 24 genes were down-regulated after treatment with emodin for 24 hours. These genes were involved in metabolism, signal transduction, transcription regulation, cytoskeleton organization, immune response, transport, protein synthesis, cell cycle control, cell adhesion and RNA processing. The RT-PCR results were consistent with those obtained by the microarray. Conclusions Emodin affects the expression of genes involved in various cellular functions and plays important roles in cell apoptosis, tumor metastasis and chemotherapy-resistance, which suggests emodin might become an effective chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent for SCLC.