ABSTRACT We report an approach for visualizing DNA sequence and using these ‘DNA barcodes’ to search complex mixtures of genomic material for DNA molecules of interest. We demonstrate three applications of this methodology; by identifying specific molecules of interest from a dataset containing gigabasepairs of genome; by straightforward strain-typing of bacteria from such a dataset and, finally, by locating infecting virus molecules in a background of human genomic material. DNA barcodes enable quantitative understanding of complex genome mixtures, on a large scale. As a result of the dense fluorescent labelling of the DNA, individual barcodes of the order 40 kilobase pairs in length can be reliably identified. This means DNA can be prepared for imaging using standard handling and purification techniques. The recorded dataset provides stable physical and electronic records of the total genomic content of a sample that can be readily searched for a molecule or region of interest.
We report an approach for visualizing DNA sequence and using these 'DNA barcodes' to search complex mixtures of genomic material for DNA molecules of interest. We demonstrate three applications of this methodology; identifying specific molecules of interest from a dataset containing gigabasepairs of genome; identification of a bacterium from such a dataset and, finally, by locating infecting virus molecules in a background of human genomic material. As a result of the dense fluorescent labelling of the DNA, individual barcodes of the order 40 kb pairs in length can be reliably identified. This means DNA can be prepared for imaging using standard handling and purification techniques. The recorded dataset provides stable physical and electronic records of the total genomic content of a sample that can be readily searched for a molecule or region of interest.
Current methods for bioconjugation rely on the introduction of stable linkers that lack the required versatility to perform sequential functionalizations. However, sequential manipulations are an increasing requirement in chemical biology because they can underpin multiple analyses of the same sample to provide a wider understanding of cell behavior. Here, we present a new method to site-selectively write , remove and re-write chemical functionality to a biomolecule, DNA in this case. Our method combines the precision and robustness of methyltransferase-directed labeling with the reversibility of acyl hydrazones and the efficiency of click chemistry. Underpinning the method is a new S-adenosyl-l-methionine derivative to site-selectively label DNA with a bifunctional chemical handle containing an acyl hydrazone-linker and a terminal azide. Functional tags are conjugated via the azide, and can be removed (i.e. un-tagged) when needed at the acyl hydrazone via exchange with hydroxyl amine. The formed hydrazide-labeled DNA is a versatile intermediate that can be either re-written to reset the original chemical handle, or covalently reacted with a permanent tag . This ability to write , tag , un-tag and permanently tag DNA is exploited to sequentially introduce two fluorescent dyes on DNA. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the method by developing a protocol to sort labeled DNA using magnetic beads, with subsequent amplification of the sorted DNA sample for further analysis. The presented method opens new avenues for site-selective bioconjugation and should underpin integrative approaches in chemical biology where sequential functionalizations of the same sample are required.
Current methods for bioconjugation rely on the introduction of stable linkers that lack the required versatility to perform sequential functionalizations. However, sequential manipulations are an increasing requirement in chemical biology because they can underpin multiple analyses of the same sample to provide a wider understanding of cell behavior. Here, we present a new method to site-selectively write, remove, and rewrite chemical functionality to a biomolecule, DNA in this case. Our method combines the precision and robustness of methyltransferase-directed labeling with the reversibility of acyl hydrazones and the efficiency of click chemistry. Underpinning the method is a new S-adenosyl-l-methionine derivative to site-selectively label DNA with a bifunctional chemical handle containing an acyl hydrazone-linker and a terminal azide. Functional tags are conjugated via the azide and can be removed (i.e., untagged) when needed at the acyl hydrazone via exchange with hydroxyl amine. The formed hydrazide-labeled DNA is a versatile intermediate that can be either rewritten to reset the original chemical handle or covalently reacted with a permanent tag. This ability to write, tag, untag, and permanently tag DNA is exploited to sequentially introduce two fluorescent dyes on DNA. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the method by developing a protocol to sort labeled DNA using magnetic beads, with subsequent amplification of the sorted DNA sample for further analysis. The presented method opens new avenues for site-selective bioconjugation and should underpin integrative approaches in chemical biology where sequential functionalizations of the same sample are required.
Current methods for bioconjugation rely on the introduction of stable linkers that lack the required versatility to perform sequential functionalizations. However, sequential manipulations are an increasing requirement in chemical biology because they can underpin multiple analyses of the same sample to provide a wider understanding of cell behavior. Here, we present a new method to site-selec- tive write, erase and re-write chemical functionality to a biomolecule, DNA in this case. Our method com- bines the robustness of methyltransferase-directed labeling with the versatility of dynamic covalent chemistry. Underpinning the method is a new S-adenosyl-L-methionine derivative to site-selectively la- bel DNA with a bifunctional chemical handle containing an acyl hydrazone-linker and a terminal azide. Functional tags are conjugated via the azide, and can be erased when needed at the acyl hydrazone via dynamic exchange. The formed hydrazide-labeled DNA is a versatile intermediate that can be either re- written to reset the original chemical handle, or covalently reacted with a permanent tag. This ability to write, tag, erase and permanently tag DNA is exploited to sequentially introduce two fluorescent dyes on DNA. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the method by developing a protocol to sort labeled DNA using magnetic beads, with subsequent amplification of the sorted DNA sample for further analysis. The presented method opens new avenues for site-selective bioconjugation, and should underpin integrative approaches in chemical biology where sequential functionalizations of the same sample are required.
<p>Current methods for bioconjugation rely on the introduction of stable linkers that lack the required versatility to perform sequential functionalizations. However, sequential manipulations are an increasing requirement in chemical biology because they can underpin multiple analyses of the same sample to provide a wider understanding of cell behavior. Here, we present a new method to site-selectively <i>write</i>, <i>remove</i> and <i>re-write</i> chemical functionality to a biomolecule, DNA in this case. Our method combines the precision and robustness of methyltransferase-directed labeling with the reversibility of acyl hydrazones and the efficiency of click chemistry. Underpinning the method is a new S-adenosyl-l-methionine derivative to site-selectively label DNA with a bifunctional chemical handle containing an acyl hydrazone-linker and a terminal azide. Functional <i>tags</i> are conjugated via the azide, and can be <i>removed (i.e. un-tagged)</i> when needed at the acyl hydrazone via exchange with hydroxyl amine. The formed hydrazide-labeled DNA is a versatile intermediate that can be either <i>re-written</i> to reset the original chemical handle, or covalently reacted with a <i>permanent tag</i>. This ability to <i>write</i>, <i>tag</i>, <i>un-tag</i> and <i>permanently tag</i> DNA is exploited to sequentially introduce two fluorescent dyes on DNA. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the method by developing a protocol to sort labeled DNA using magnetic beads, with subsequent amplification of the sorted DNA sample for further analysis. The presented method opens new avenues for site-selective bioconjugation and should underpin integrative approaches in chemical biology where sequential functionalizations of the same sample are required.<br></p>