The fluorescent intensity of Cy3 and Cy5 dyes is strongly dependent on the nucleobase sequence of the labeled oligonucleotides. Sequence-dependent fluorescence may significantly influence the data obtained from many common experimental methods based on fluorescence detection of nucleic acids, such as sequencing, PCR, FRET, and FISH. To quantify sequence dependent fluorescence, we have measured the fluorescence intensity of Cy3 and Cy5 bound to the 5′ end of all 1024 possible double-stranded DNA 5mers. The fluorescence intensity was also determined for these dyes bound to the 5′ end of fixed-sequence double-stranded DNA with a variable sequence 3′ overhang adjacent to the dye. The labeled DNA oligonucleotides were made using light-directed, in situ microarray synthesis. The results indicate that the fluorescence intensity of both dyes is sensitive to all five bases or base pairs, that the sequence dependence is stronger for double- (vs single-) stranded DNA, and that the dyes are sensitive to both the adjacent dsDNA sequence and the 3′-ssDNA overhang. Purine-rich sequences result in higher fluorescence. The results can be used to estimate measurement error in experiments with fluorescent-labeled DNA, as well as to optimize the fluorescent signal by considering the nucleobase environment of the labeling cyanine dye.

BackgroundDNA microarrays are a core element of modern genomics research and medical diagnostics, allowing the simple and simultaneous determination of the relative abundances of hundreds of thousands to millions of genomic DNA or RNA sequences in a sample. Photolithographic in situ synthesis, using light projection from a digitally-controlled array of micromirrors, has been successful at both commercial and laboratory scales. The advantages of this synthesis method are its ability to reliably produce high-quality custom microarrays with a very high spatial density of DNA features using a compact device with few moving parts. The phosphoramidite chemistry used in photolithographic synthesis is similar to that used in conventional solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, but some unique differences require an independent optimization of the synthesis chemistry to achieve fast and low-cost synthesis without compromising microarray quality.ResultsHigh microarray quality could be maintained while reducing coupling time to a few seconds using DCI activator. Five coupling activators were compared, which resulted in microarray hybridization signals following the order ETT > Activator 42 > DCI ≫ BTT ≫ pyridinium chloride, but only the use of DCI led to both high signal and highly uniform feature intensities. The photodeprotection time was also reduced to a few seconds by replacing the NPPOC photolabile group with the new thiophenyl-NPPOC group. Other chemical parameters, such as oxidation and washing steps were also optimized.ConclusionsHighly optimized and microarray-specific phosphoramidite chemistry, along with the use of the very photosensitive thiophenyl-NPPOC protecting group allow for the synthesis of high-complexity DNA arrays using coupling times of 15 s and deprotection times of 9 s. The resulting overall cycle time (coupling to coupling) of about 50 s, results in a three-fold reduction in synthesis time.

The use of photolabile protecting groups is a versatile and well-established means of synthesizing high complexity microarrays of biopolymers, such as nucleic acids and peptides, for high-throughput analysis. The synthesis takes place in a photochemical reaction cell which positions the microarray substrate at the focus of the optical system delivering the light and which can be connected to a fluidics system which delivers appropriate reagents to the surface in synchrony with the light exposure. Here we describe a novel photochemical reaction cell which allows for the simultaneous synthesis of microarrays on two substrates. The reaction cell positions both substrates within the limited depth-of-focus of the optical system while maintaining the necessary reagent flow conditions. The resulting microarrays are mirror images of each other but otherwise essentially identical. The new reaction cell doubles the throughput of microarray synthesis without increasing the consumption of reagents. In addition, a secondary flow chamber behind the reaction cell can be filled with an absorbent and index-matching fluid to eliminate reflections from light exiting the reaction cell assembly, greatly reducing unintended light exposure that reduces the sequence fidelity of the microarray probes.

Alternariol (AOH) and altertoxin II (ATX II) are mycotoxins formed by Alternaria spp. Since they are expected to co-occur in Alternaria-infested food and feed, we addressed the question of combinatory effects. In addition, potentially involved regulatory microRNAs were surveyed in an exploratory approach. Cytotoxicity measurements in constant ratio combinations of 1:10 or 1:1 (ATX II: AOH) mainly revealed additive effects in HepG2, HT29 and HCEC-1CT cells. Yet, in specific high doses antagonism was found. Microarray analysis of miRNA expression profiles in HepG2 cells indicated different patterns of miRNA regulation by AOH and ATX II, including several miRNA species for which no distinct functions are currently known. Among others, miR-4654, miR-4715_3p and miR-6720_3p were up-regulated by AOH and miR-5583_5p was down-regulated by ATX II. Additionally, miR-1323, involved in hindering DNA repair mechanisms, was decreased by ATX II. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) analysis of selected miRNAs indicated regulation of miR-29a by AOH, which might play a role in AOH-induced apoptosis. miR-192 and miR-224 regulation was associated with antagonistic cytotoxic effects of AOH and ATX II combinations. Our study represents the first evaluation on combinatory effects of AOH and ATX II.

DNA and RNA oligonucleotides synthesized in situ on microarrays were cleaved, collected and characterized by LC-MS.