Event-specific qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis for genetically modified canola T45

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods have been the main technical support for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To date, GMO-specific PCR detection strategies have been developed basically at four different levels, such as screening-, gene-, construct-, and event-specific detection methods. Event-specific PCR detection method is the primary trend in GMO detection because of its high specificity based on the flanking sequence of exogenous integrant. GM canola, event T45, with tolerance to glufosinate ammonium is one of the commercial genetically modified (GM) canola events approved in China. In this study, the 5'-integration junction sequence between host plant DNA and the integrated gene construct of T45 canola was cloned and revealed by means of TAIL-PCR. Specific PCR primers and TaqMan probes were designed based upon the revealed sequence, and qualitative and quantitative TaqMan real-time PCR detection assays employing these primers and probe were developed. In qualitative PCR, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1% for T45 canola in 100 ng of genomic DNA. The quantitative PCR assay showed limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) of 5 and 50 haploid genome copies, respectively. In addition, three mixed canola samples with known GM contents were detected employing the developed real-time PCR assay, and expected results were obtained. These results indicated that the developed event-specific PCR methods can be used for identification and quantification of T45 canola and its derivates.     

Qualitative and quantitative event-specific PCR detection methods for oxy-235 canola based on the 3' integration flanking sequence

As more genetically modified plant events are approved for commercialization worldwide, the event-specific PCR method has become the key method for genetically modified organism (GMO) identification and quantification. This study reveals the 3' flanking sequence of the exogenous integration of Oxy-235 canola employing thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (TAIL-PCR). On the basis of the revealed 3' flanking sequence, PCR primers and TaqMan probe were designed and qualitative and quantitative PCR assays were established for Oxy-235 canola. The specificity and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of these two PCR assays were validated to as low as 0.1% for the relative LOD of qualitative PCR assay; the absolute LOD and LOQ were low to 10 and 20 copies of canola genomic DNA in quantitative PCR assay, respectively. Furthermore, ideal quantified results were obtained in the practical canola sample detection. All of the results indicate that the developed qualitative and quantitative PCR methods based on the revealed 3' integration flanking sequence are suitable for GM canola Oxy-235 identification and quantification.     

实时定量PCR检测转基因水稻科丰6号插入拷贝数和转基因含量

建立转基因成分灵敏、准确的定量标识是实施转基因安全阈值管理的一个基本步骤,其中实时定量PCR技术是检测产品中转基因含量的主要技术方法。本研究利用该技术确定了双价(cry1Ac+CpTi)转基因抗虫水稻(Oryzasativa)科丰6号中有3个拷贝的外源基因插入。通过对外源基因Bt和转化事件特异的边界特异序列为对象的绝对定量和相对定量检测方法的研究,发现以边界特异序列为对象的事件特异性检测和以目的基因Bt为对象的检测都能够满足相对定量检测的要求。在100ng基因组DNA中,Bt基因和特异性检测的相对定量检测限分别为0.1%和0.5%,在绝对定量检测中,特异性检测的检测限为5个拷贝。不同检测方法对4个已知转基因含量的样品检测结果与预期均一致。结果表明,以转基因产品占总产品比例为定义的转基因含量的测定中,多拷贝或单拷贝基因为对象的不同定量方法的检测对转基因产品的相对定量结果没有影响,本研究对转基因产品的定量阈值设定具有一定的借鉴意义。     

Event-specific quantitative detection of nine genetically modified maizes using one novel standard reference molecule

With the development of genetically modified organism (GMO) detection techniques, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique has been the mainstay for GMO detection, and real-time PCR is the most effective and important method for GMO quantification. An event-specific detection strategy based on the unique and specific integration junction sequences between the host plant genome DNA and the integrated gene is being developed for its high specificity. This study establishes the event-specific detection methods for TC1507 and CBH351 maizes. In addition, the event-specific TaqMan real-time PCR detection methods for another seven GM maize events (Bt11, Bt176, GA21, MON810, MON863, NK603, and T25) were systematically optimized and developed. In these PCR assays, the fluorescent quencher, TAMRA, was dyed on the T-base of the probe at the internal position to improve the intensity of the fluorescent signal. To overcome the difficulties in obtaining the certified reference materials of these GM maizes, one novel standard reference molecule containing all nine specific integration junction sequences of these GM maizes and the maize endogenous reference gene, zSSIIb, was constructed and used for quantitative analysis. The limits of detection of these methods were 20 copies for these different GM maizes, the limits of quantitation were about 20 copies, and the dynamic ranges for quantification were from 0.05 to 100% in 100 ng of DNA template. Furthermore, nine groups of the mixed maize samples of these nine GM maize events were quantitatively analyzed to evaluate the accuracy and precision. The accuracy expressed as bias varied from 0.67 to 28.00% for the nine tested groups of GM maize samples, and the precision expressed as relative standard deviations was from 0.83 to 26.20%. All of these indicated that the established event-specific real-time PCR detection systems and the reference molecule in this study are suitable for the identification and quantification of these GM maizes.     

Development of the visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays for seven genetically modified maize events and their application in practical samples analysis

As more and more genetically modified (GM) crops are approved for commercialization and planting, the development of quick and on-spot methods for GM crops and their derivates is required. Herein, we established the polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis-free system for the identification of seven GM maize events (DAS-59122-7, T25, BT176, TC1507, MON810, BT11, and MON863) employing a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique. The LAMP assay was performed using a set of four specific primers at 60-65 °C in less than 40 min, and the results were observed by direct visual observation. In these developed assays, the specificity targeted at each GM maize event based on the event-specific sequence was well confirmed, and the limits of detection were as low as four copies of maize haploid genomic DNA with an exception of 40 copies for MON810 assay. Furthermore, these developed assays were successfully used to test six practical samples with different GM maize events and contents (ranged from 0.0 to 2.0%). All of the results indicated that the established event-specific visual LAMP assays are more convenient, rapid, and low-cost for GM maize routine analysis.     

International collaborative study of the endogenous reference gene LAT52 used for qualitative and quantitative analyses of genetically modified tomato

One tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum) gene, LAT52, has been proved to be a suitable endogenous reference gene for genetically modified (GM) tomato detection in a previous study. Herein are reported the results of a collaborative ring trial for international validation of the LAT52 gene as endogenous reference gene and its analytical systems; 14 GMO detection laboratories from 8 countries were invited, and results were finally received from 13. These data confirmed the species specificity by testing 10 plant genomic DNAs, less allelic variation and stable single copy number of the LAT52 gene, among 12 different tomato cultivars. Furthermore, the limit of detection of LAT52 qualitative PCR was proved to be 0.1%, which corresponded to 11 copies of haploid tomato genomic DNA, and the limit of quantification for the quantitative PCR system was about 10 copies of haploid tomato genomic DNA with acceptable PCR efficiency and linearity. Additionally, the bias between the test and true values of 8 blind samples ranged from 1.94 to 10.64%. All of these validated results indicated that the LAT52 gene is suitable for use as an endogenous reference gene for the identification and quantification of GM tomato and its derivates.     

Event-specific qualitative and quantitative PCR detection methods for transgenic rapeseed hybrids MS1xRF1 and MS1xRF2

Except for the events RT73, MS8, RF3, and T45, event-specific detection methods for most commercialized genetically modified (GM) rapeseed varieties have not been established, and as a result, the enforcement of genetically modified organism labeling policies has been hindered. The genetically modified rapeseeds, MS1xRF1 and MS1xRF2, are 2 of 11 approved GM-rapeseed varieties for commercialization. In this study, the right border junction fragments between the gene construct and the rapeseed genome of events RF1, RF2, and MS1 were isolated using the commercially available GenomeWalker technology. Homology analysis indicated that the gene construct of RF1 integrated upstream of the nuclease gene, and that of the RF2 and MS1 inserted into the exon region of a gene encoding for an unknown protein. The event-specific primer pairs and corresponding probes were designed on the basis of the revealed right border junction fragments. Then, we successfully developed the identification and quantification methods for the gene-stacked hybrids MS1xRF1 and MS1xRF2 using those primers and probes. The relative limit of detection in the qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was 0.013% for the RF2 and MS1 assays using 100 ng of rapeseed DNA per reaction and 0.13% for the RF1 assay. The absolute limit of detection in the quantitative PCR was approximately one to two initial copies for each of the three event-specific assays. The evaluation of the real-time PCR assays revealed that the qualitative and quantitative methods developed by focusing on the gene-stacked hybrids MS1xRF1 and MS1xRF2 were highly specific, sensitive, and suitable for samples with a low quantity of DNA.     

A rapeseed-specific gene, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, can be used as a reference for qualitative and real-time quantitative PCR detection of transgenes from mixed food samples

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are very useful techniques for the detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food samples. These methods rely on the amplification of transgenic sequences and quantification of the transgenic DNA by comparison to an amplified reference gene. Reported here is the development of specific primers for the rapeseed (Brassica napus) BnACCg8 gene and PCR cycling conditions suitable for the use of this sequence as an endogenous reference gene in both qualitative and quantitative PCR assays. Both methods were assayed with 20 different rapeseed varieties, and identical amplification products were obtained with all of them. No amplification products were observed when DNA samples from other Brassica species, Arabidopsis thaliana, maize, and soybean were used as templates, which demonstrates that this system is specific for rapeseed. In real-time quantitative PCR analysis, the detection limit was as low as 1.25 pg of DNA, which indicates that this method is suitable for use in processed food samples which contain very low copies of target DNA.     

Quantification of genetically modified soybean by quenching probe polymerase chain reaction

Quenching probe (QProbe) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a simple and cost-effective real-time PCR assay in comparison with other real-time PCR assays such as the TaqMan assay. We used QProbe-PCR to quantify genetically modified (GM) soybean (Roundup Ready soybean). We designed event-specific QProbes for Le1 (soy endogenous gene) and RRS (recombinant gene), and we quantified certified reference materials containing 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% GM soybean. The TaqMan assay was also applied to the same samples, and the results were compared. The accuracy of QProbe-PCR was similar to that of TaqMan assay. When GM soybean content was 0.5% or more, the relative standard deviations of QProbe-PCR were less than 20%. QProbe-PCR is sensitive enough to monitor labeling systems and has acceptable levels of accuracy and precision.     

Event-specific detection of seven genetically modified soybean and maizes using multiplex-PCR coupled with oligonucleotide microarray

With the increasing development of genetically modified organism (GMO) detection techniques, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique has been the mainstay for GMO detection. An oligonucleotide microarray is a glass chip to the surface of which an array of oligonucleotides was fixed as spots, each containing numerous copies of a sequence-specific probe that is complementary to a gene of interest. So it is used to detect ten or more targets synchronously. In this research, an event-specific detection strategy based on the unique and specific integration junction sequences between the host plant genome DNA and the integrated gene is being developed for its high specificity using multiplex-PCR together with oligonucleotide microarray. A commercial GM soybean (GTS 40-3-2) and six GM maize events (MON810, MON863, Bt176, Bt11, GA21, and T25) were detected by this method. The results indicate that it is a suitable method for the identification of these GM soybean and maizes.     

Event-specific real-time detection and quantification of genetically modified Roundup Ready soybean

The event-specific real-time detection and quantification of Roundup Ready soybean (RRS) using an ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system with light upon extension (LUX) primer was developed in this study. The event-specific primers were designed, targeting the junction of the RRS 5' integration site and the endogenous gene lectin1. Then, a standard reference plasmid was constructed that carried both of the targeted sequences for quantitative analysis. The detection limit of the LUX real-time PCR system was 0.05 ng of 100% RRS genomic DNA, which was equal to 20.5 copies. The range of quantification was from 0.1 to 100%. The sensitivity and range of quantification successfully met the requirement of the labeling rules in the European Union and Taiwan.     

Detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms using very short, locked nucleic acid TaqMan probes

Many countries have introduced mandatory labeling requirements on foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based upon the TaqMan probe chemistry has become the method mostly used to support these regulations; moreover, event-specific PCR is the preferred method in GMO detection because of its high specificity based on the flanking sequence of the exogenous integrant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of very short (eight-nucleotide long), locked nucleic acid (LNA) TaqMan probes in 5'-nuclease PCR assays for the detection and quantification of GMOs. Classic TaqMan and LNA TaqMan probes were compared for the analysis of the maize MON810 transgene. The performance of the two types of probes was tested on the maize endogenous reference gene hmga, the CaMV 35S promoter, and the hsp70/cryIA(b) construct as well as for the event-specific 5'-integration junction of MON810, using plasmids as standard reference molecules. The results of our study demonstrate that the LNA 5'-nuclease PCR assays represent a valid and reliable analytical system for the detection and quantification of transgenes. Application of very short LNA TaqMan probes to GMO quantification can simplify the design of 5'-nuclease assays.     

Applicability of plasmid calibrant pTC1507 in quantification of TC1507 maize: an interlaboratory study

To enforce the labeling regulations of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the application of DNA plasmids as calibrants is becoming essential for the practical quantification of GMOs. This study reports the construction of plasmid pTC1507 for a quantification assay of genetically modified (GM) maize TC1507 and the collaborative ring trial in international validation of its applicability as a plasmid calibrant. pTC1507 includes one event-specific sequence of TC1507 maize and one unique sequence of maize endogenous gene zSSIIb. A total of eight GMO detection laboratories worldwide were invited to join the validation process, and test results were returned from all eight participants. Statistical analysis of the returned results showed that real-time PCR assays using pTC1507 as calibrant in both GM event-specific and endogenous gene quantifications had high PCR efficiency (ranging from 0.80 to 1.15) and good linearity (ranging from 0.9921 to 0.9998). In a quantification assay of five blind samples, the bias between the test values and true values ranged from 2.6 to 24.9%. All results indicated that the developed pTC1507 plasmid is applicable for the quantitative analysis of TC1507 maize and can be used as a suitable substitute for dried powder certified reference materials (CRMs).     

Detection and quantification of roundup ready soy in foods by conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction

Transgenic soybean line GTS-40-3-2, marketed under the trade name Roundup Ready (RR) soy, was developed by Monsanto (USA) to allow for the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient of the herbicide Roundup, as a weed control agent. RR soy was first approved in Canada for environmental release and for feed products in 1995 and later for food products in 1996 and is widely grown in Canada. Consumer concern issues have resulted in proposed labeling regulations in Canada for foods derived from genetically engineered crops. One requirement for labeling is the ability to detect and accurately quantify the amount of transgenic material present in foods. Two assays were evaluated. A conventional qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay to detect the presence of soy and RR soy and a real-time PCR to quantify the amount of RR soy present in samples that tested positive in the first assay. PCR controls consisted of certified RR soy reference material, single transgenic soybeans, and a processed food sample containing a known amount of RR soy. To test real-world applicability, a number of common grocery store food items that contain soy-based products were tested. For some samples, significant differences in amplification efficiencies during the quantitative PCR assays were observed compared to the controls, resulting in potentially large errors in quantification. A correction factor was used to try to compensate for these differences.     

Validation of a tomato-specific gene, LAT52, used as an endogenous reference gene in qualitative and real-time quantitative PCR detection of transgenic tomatoes

Toward the development of reliable qualitative and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection methods of transgenic tomatoes, one tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) species specific gene, LAT52, was selected and validated as suitable for using as an endogenous reference gene in transgenic tomato PCR detection. Both qualitative and quantitative PCR methods were assayed with 16 different tomato varieties, and identical amplified products or fluorescent signals were obtained with all of them. No amplified products and fluorescent signals were observed when DNA samples from 20 different plants such as soybean, maize, rapeseed, rice, and Arabidopsis thaliana were used as templates. These results demonstrated that the amplified LAT52 DNA sequence was specific for tomato. Furthermore, results of Southern blot showed that the LAT52 gene was a single-copy gene in the different tested tomato cultivars. In qualitative and quantitative PCR analysis, the detection sensitivities were 0.05 and 0.005 ng of tomato genomic DNA, respectively. In addition, two real-time assays employing this gene as an endogenous reference gene were established, one for the quantification of processed food samples derived from nontransgenic tomatoes that contained degraded target DNA and the other for the quantification of the junction region of CaMV35s promoter and the anti-sense ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) gene in transgenic tomato Huafan No. 1 samples. All of these results indicated that the LAT52 gene could be successfully used as a tomato endogenous reference gene in practical qualitative and quantitative detection of transgenic tomatoes, even for some processed foods derived from transgenic and nontransgenic tomatoes.     

Qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for an alfalfa (Medicago sativa)-specific reference gene to use in monitoring transgenic cultivars

Genetically modified (GM) alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was marketed for the first time in 2005. For countries with established thresholds for GM plants, methods to detect and quantify their adventitious presence are required. We selected acetyl CoA carboxylase as a reference gene for the detection and quantification of GM alfalfa. Two qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (Acc1 and Acc2) were designed to detect alfalfa. Both were specific to alfalfa, amplifying DNA from 12 separate cultivars and showing negative results for PCR of 15 nonalfalfa plants. The limits of detection for Acc1 and Acc2 were 0.2 and 0.01%, respectively. A quantitative real-time PCR assay was also designed, having high linearity (r > 0.99) over alfalfa standard concentrations ranging from 100 to 2.0 x 10(5) pg of alfalfa DNA per PCR. The real-time PCR assay was effective in quantifying alfalfa DNA from forage- and concentrate-based mixed diets containing different amounts of alfalfa meal.     

Development of one novel multiple-target plasmid for duplex quantitative PCR analysis of roundup ready soybean

To enforce the labeling regulations of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the application of reference molecules as calibrators is becoming essential for practical quantification of GMOs. However, the reported reference molecules with tandem marker multiple targets have been proved not suitable for duplex PCR analysis. In this study, we developed one unique plasmid molecule based on one pMD-18T vector with three exogenous target DNA fragments of Roundup Ready soybean GTS 40-3-2 (RRS), that is, CaMV35S, NOS, and RRS event fragments, plus one fragment of soybean endogenous Lectin gene. This Lectin gene fragment was separated from the three exogenous target DNA fragments of RRS by inserting one 2.6 kb DNA fragment with no relatedness to RRS detection targets in this resultant plasmid. Then, we proved that this design allows the quantification of RRS using the three duplex real-time PCR assays targeting CaMV35S, NOS, and RRS events employing this reference molecule as the calibrator. In these duplex PCR assays, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 10 and 50 copies, respectively. For the quantitative analysis of practical RRS samples, the results of accuracy and precision were similar to those of simplex PCR assays, for instance, the quantitative results were at the 1% level, the mean bias of the simplex and duplex PCR were 4.0% and 4.6%, respectively, and the statistic analysis ( t-test) showed that the quantitative data from duplex and simplex PCR had no significant discrepancy for each soybean sample. Obviously, duplex PCR analysis has the advantages of saving the costs of PCR reaction and reducing the experimental errors in simplex PCR testing. The strategy reported in the present study will be helpful for the development of new reference molecules suitable for duplex PCR quantitative assays of GMOs.     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction based assays for quantitative detection of barley, rice, sunflower, and wheat

Quality assurance is a major issue in the food industry. The authenticity of food ingredients and their traceability are required by consumers and authorities. Plant species such as barley (Hordeum vulgare), rice (Oryza sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) are very common among the ingredients of many processed food products; therefore the development of specific assays for their specific detection and quantification are needed. Furthermore, the production and trade of genetically modified lines from an increasing number of plant species brings about the need for control within research, environmental risk assessment, labeling/legal, and consumers' information purposes. We report here the development of four independent real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays suitable for identification and quantification of four plant species (barley, rice, sunflower, and wheat). These assays target gamma-hordein, gos9, helianthinin, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase sequences, respectively, and were able to specifically detect and quantify DNA from the target plant species. In addition, the simultaneous amplification of RALyase allowed bread from durum wheat to be distinguished. Limits of detection were 1 genome copy for barley, sunflower, and wheat and 3.3 copies for rice real-time PCR systems, whereas limits of quantification were 10 genome copies for barley, sunflower, or wheat and approximately 100 haploid genomes for rice real-time PCR systems. Real-time PCR cycling conditions of the four assays were stated as standard to facilitate their use in routine laboratory analyses. The assays were finally adapted to conventional PCR for detection purposes, with the exception of the wheat assay, which detects rye simultaneously with similar sensitivity in an agarose gel.     

Method for the detection of synthetic cry3A in transgenic potatoes

All transgenic cultivars of potatoes registered in Canada and the United States have been modified to express a synthetic cry3A gene as a means of conferring resistance against the Colorado potato beetle, an important economic pest of potatoes. A PCR method was developed to amplify a 499 bp region of the synthetic cry3A gene. Using this method, synthetic cry3A could be detected in six different transgenic cultivars. Positive results could be confirmed with PvuII restriction digestion of the PCR-generated amplicon, which resulted in two fragments that were 283 and 216 bp in size. Of the 52 tuber extracts tested with this method, no false positive or false negative results were obtained, suggesting the method could be used with a high degree of accuracy. The absolute limit of detection was the number of cry3A copies present in one or perhaps two haploid copies of the potato genome. The practical limit of detection in tubers on a fresh weight basis was 0.02% for the NL 10-SUP and 0.01% for the remaining cultivars. Synthetic cry3A could also be detected in processed food products such as potato chips, shoestring potatoes, and frozen French fries. The method was suitable for screening potato tuber lots and some processed foods for the presence of synthetic cry3A.     

Event specific qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of genetically modified MON863 maize based on the 5'-transgene integration sequence

Because of the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) labeling policies issued in many countries and areas, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were developed for the execution of GMO labeling policies, such as screening, gene specific, construct specific, and event specific PCR detection methods, which have become a mainstay of GMOs detection. The event specific PCR detection method is the primary trend in GMOs detection because of its high specificity based on the flanking sequence of the exogenous integrant. This genetically modified maize, MON863, contains a Cry3Bb1 coding sequence that produces a protein with enhanced insecticidal activity against the coleopteran pest, corn rootworm. In this study, the 5'-integration junction sequence between the host plant DNA and the integrated gene construct of the genetically modified maize MON863 was revealed by means of thermal asymmetric interlaced-PCR, and the specific PCR primers and TaqMan probe were designed based upon the revealed 5'-integration junction sequence; the conventional qualitative PCR and quantitative TaqMan real-time PCR detection methods employing these primers and probes were successfully developed. In conventional qualitative PCR assay, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1% for MON863 in 100 ng of maize genomic DNA for one reaction. In the quantitative TaqMan real-time PCR assay, the LOD and the limit of quantification were eight and 80 haploid genome copies, respectively. In addition, three mixed maize samples with known MON863 contents were detected using the established real-time PCR systems, and the ideal results indicated that the established event specific real-time PCR detection systems were reliable, sensitive, and accurate.