Team:TU-Munich/Notebook/Methods

From 2013.igem.org

Revision as of 17:34, 20 October 2013 by Earthnut (Talk | contribs)


Materials

The following section lists and describes the used material in the presented iGEM project.

1. Cell lines

  • E. coli XL-1 Blue
    • Obtained from the chair for Biological Chemistry (TUM)
    • Cell line was used for molecular cloning
  • E. coli BL21
    • Obtained from the chair for Biological Chemistry (TUM)
    • Cell line was used for cytosolic production of recombinant proteins
  • P. patens clone XI
    • Was used for all moss experiments and for the generation of genetically modified P. patens plants
    • Kindly provided by the [http://www.plant-biotech.net/ Chair for Plant Biotechnology] (Freiburg University)
  • Micrococcus luteus
    • Kindly provided by the [http://www.micbio.wzw.tum.de/index.php Chair for Microbial Ecology] (TUM)
    • Was used for the Kirby-Bauer assay to detect the degradation of erythromycin

2. Reagents

Reagent Supplier Location
2-Mercaptoethanol AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
ABTS tablet Roche
ABTS buffer Roche
Acetonitrile (LC-MS grade) Sigma-Aldrich Taufkirchen, Germany
30% Acrylamid with 0,8% Bisacrylamid Serva Electrophoresis GmbH Heidelberg, Germany
Agarose peqlab Biotechnologie GmbH Erlangen, Germany
Acetic acid (LC-MS grade) Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH Taufkirchen
Ammonium acetate AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Bacto Agar Becton BD, DIFCO Laboratories GmbH Augsburg, Germany
Bacto Tryptone Becton BD, DIFCO Laboratories GmbH Augsburg, Germany
Bacto Yeast Extract Becton BD, DIFCO Laboratories GmbH Augsburg, Germany
Biotin
Boric acid AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Bromphenol blue AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Chloramphenicol AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
D(+)-Glukose, monohydrate AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Diclofenac
dNTPs Invitrogen AG Basel, Switzerland
Ethanol p.p., 99,9% Honeywell Deutschland AG Neunkirchen, Germany
Glycerol Carl Roth GmbH & Co. KG Karlsruhe, Germany
Kaliumchloride (KCl) Merck KG Darmstadt, Germany
Kaliumdihydrogenphosphate (KH2PO4) AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Methanol Honeywell Deutschland AG Neunkirchen, Germany
N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylethylendiamin (TEMED) AppliChem GmbH Darmstadt, Germany
Sodiumchloride (NaCl) Carl Roth GmbH & Co. KG Karlsruhe, Germany
Sodiumdihydrogenphosphate (NaH2PO4) Carl Roth GmbH & Co. KG Karlsruhe, Germany
Disodiumhydrogenphosphate (Na2HPO4) VWR International GmbH Ismaning, Germany
Sodiumdodecylsulphate (SDS) Carl Roth GmbH & Co. KG Karlsruhe, Germany

3. Kits and Standards

  • Kits for DNA manipulation (Qiagen)
    • QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit (Qiagen)
    • QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen)
    • QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen)
    • QIAGEN Plasmid Midi Kit (Qiagen)
  • DNA ladder
    • GeneRuler 1 kb DNA Ladder (Fermentas)
    • GeneRuler 100 bp DNA Ladder (Fermentas)
    • 2-Log DNA Ladder (New England Biolabs)
  • Protein ladder
    • Unstained Protein Ladder (Fermentas)
  • Kit for Luciferase assays
    • Nano-Glo Luciferase Assay

4. Consumables

5. DNA Synthesis

Oligonucleotides

Name Sequence
EreA_for 5’- GCGCGTCTAGATGGCCGGCACGTGGAGAACGACCAGA -3‘
EreA-rev 5‘- TTCGAAACCGGTTAGGGCAACTAGGCTGTCC -3‘
EreA_SDMI_for 5’- CGAATCAGGAAGAAAACTACAGTTAGTCGGAATCGAC -3‘
EreA_SDMI_rev 5'- GTCGATTCCGACTAACTGTAGTTTTCTTCCTGATTCG -3'
EreA_SDMII_for 5'- GACGCCTGTGGTACGGAAAATTCATGTCTGACATT - 3'
EreA_SDMII_rev 5'- AATGTCAGACATGAATTTTCCGTACCACAGGCGTC - 3'
EreA_SDMIII_for 5'- GTGTTCCAAGCGCGGGCAAGGACAGCC - 3'
EreA_SDMIII_rev 5'- GGCTGTCCTTGCCCGCGCTTGGAACAC - 3'
EreB_for 5'- GCGCGTCTAGATGGCCGGCAGGTTCGAAGAATGGGTC - 3'
EreB-rev 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTTTCATAAACGACCTCAGATACAG - 3'
EreB_SDMI_for 5'- GGTGAAAATTCTCATTTCATAAAAGAGTTCTTTTTGTTACGACATACGCTTTT - 3'
EreB_SDMI_rev 5'- AAAAGCGTATGTCGTAACAAAAAGAACTCTTTTATGAAATGAGAATTTTCACC - 3'
EreB_SDMII_for 5'- CTTATAGTGGGCATACAGCAGCCCTCTATCCGG - 3'
EreB_SDMII_rev 5'- CCGGATAGAGGGCTGCTGTATGCCCACTATAAG - 3'
EreB_SDMIII_for 5'- CGAGTTGATAACTTCCAACTACAGGAACCAAATGAAGGTTC - 3'
EreB_SDMIII_rev 5'- GAACCTTCATTTGGTTCCTGTAGTTGGAAGTTATCAACTCG - 3'
TEV_fw 5'- GCGCGTCTAGATGGCCGGCGGAGAAAGCTTGTTTAAGGGGC - 3'
TEV_rv 5'- ATATAACCGGTATTCATGAGTTGAGTCGCTTCC - 3'
TEV_t387c_fw 5'- ATGGTGTCAGACACTAGCTGCACATTCCCTTCATC - 3'
TEV_t387c_rv 5'- GATGAAGGGAATGTGCAGCTAGTGTCTGACACCAT - 3'
N_split_TEV_fw 5'- ATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAG - 3'
N_split_TEV_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTAGTTTGGAAGTTGGTTGTCAC - 3'
C_split_TEV_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCAAGAGCATGTCTAGCATGGTG - 3'
C_split_TEV_rv 5'- CCGCTACTAGTATTAACCGG - 3'
PIF6_2-100_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCATGTTCTTACCAACCGATTATTGTTGC - 3'
PIF6_2-100_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTGTCAACATGTTTATTGCTTTC - 3'
MinMCS_fo 5'- CTAGACCTAGGAAGCTTCCTGCAGGACTAGTAAGCTTCTGCA - 3'
MinMCS_rev 5'- GAAGCTTACTAGTCCTGCAGGAAGCTTCCTAGGT - 3'
Bpu_for 5'- GCGCGTCTAGATGGCCGGCAACCTAGAAAAATTTGTTGACGAGCTG - 3'
Bpu_rev 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTGATGATATCCATCGGCCGCAT - 3'
Bpu_SDMI_for 5'- CACTTAAGCATTTTCTACGGGTCGATCACACCATTCA - 3'
Bpu_SDMI_rev 5'- TGAATGGTGTGATCGACCCGTAGAAAATGCTTAAGTG - 3'
Bpu_SDMII_fo 5'- GACACGATTAAATGTGTATGCGGGCTTAGCTGGATTTTATTTG - 3'
Bpu_SDMII_re 5'- CAAATAAAATCCAGCTAAGCCCGCATACACATTTAATCGTGTC - 3'
Bpu_SDMIII_fo 5'- CACCCTTAAAAATAAAGCTGGCTGCGGACAGGAAG - 3'
Bpu_SDMIII_re 5'- TTCCTGTCCGCAGCCAGCTTTATTTTTAAGGGTG - 3'
Bpu_SDMIV_fo 5'- CGTACGCTCACTCTTACGGGTACACAGGATAAATA - 3'
Bpu_SDMIV_re 5'- TATTTATCCTGTGTACCCGTAAGAGTGAGCGTACG - 3'
xylE_for 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCAACAAAGGTGTAATGCGACCG - 3'
xylE_rev 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTGGTCAGCACGGTCATGAATC - 3'
xylE_c312a_for 5'- GAACAGTTGTGGACGGCGCGTGCGC - 3'
xylE_c312a_rev 5'- GCGCACGCGCCGTCCACAACTGTTC - 3'
xylE_g483a_for 5'- CCTCATGTATGGCGACGAATTACCGGCGACCTA - 3'
xylE_g483a_rev 5'- TAGGTCGCCGGTAATTCGTCGCCATACATGAGG - 3'
xylE_a834g_for 5'- CAACTACCCGGACCACAAGCCGGTGACCT - 3'
xylE_a834_rev 5'- AGGTCACCGGCTTGTGGTCCGGGTAGTTG - 3'
p Act_for 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGAGTCGACGAGGTCATTCATATG - 3'
pAct_rev 5'- CTCGAGCTGCAGCGGCCGCTACTAGTAGCTTCTACCTACAAAAAAGCTC - 3'
t35S_for 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGAGCTAGAGTCCGCAAAAATCACC - 3'
t35S_rev 5'- CTCGAGCTGCAGCGGCCGCTACTAGTAGGTCACTGGATTTTGGTTTTAGG - 3'
Npt_for 5'- AAGCTTGAATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGAGATCGGATCCTGTCAAACAC - 3'
Npt_rev 5'- CGGCCGCTACTAGTAATCAAGCTTGACAGGAGGC - 3'
miniMCSII_fw 5'- CTAGACAATTGAAGCTTCCTGCAGGACTAGTAAGCTTCTGCA - 3'
miniMCSII_rv 5'- GAAGCTTACTAGTCCTGCAGGAAGCTTCAATTGT - 3'
SpyTag_fw 5'- CTAGATGGCCGGCGCTCATATTGTCATGGTTGATGCTTACAAGCCAACTAAGA - 3'
SpyTag_rv 5'- CCGGTCTTAGTTGGCTTGTAAGCATCAACCATGACAATATGAGCGCCGGCCAT - 3'
PIF3(2-100)_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCCCTCTGTTTGAACTTTTCAGG - 3'
PIF3(2-100)_rv 5'- CCGCTACTAGTATTAACCGG - 3'
NucA_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCGCAACTTCAACTAAAAAATTACATAAAGAACCTG - 3'
NucA_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTTTGACCTGAATCAGCGTTGTC - 3'
AlcR_fw 5'- AAGCTTGAATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGATGGCAGATACGCGCCGAC - 3'
AlcR_rv 5'- TTCGAAACTAGTACTACAAAAAGCTGTCAACTTTCCCATTCAAACC - 3'
SQ_pAutoRex8_1 5'- CGGGGCATCACAGCGTCG - 3'
SQ_pAutoRex8_2 5'- TATCGGTAACCGAGTCCG - 3'
AlcR_QCI_fw 5'- GGCTAAATGTTCCTGCTGACATAGCCGCCGATG - 3'
AlcR_QCI_rv 5'- CATCGGCGGCTATGTCAGCAGGAACATTTAGCC - 3'
AlcR_QCII_fw 5'- GCACGGTATGGGTGCACGTTTGGACAAGCTACTCGAAAATG - 3'
AlcR_QCII_rv 5'- CATTTTCGAGTAGCTTGTCCAAACGTGCACCCATACCGTGC - 3'
AlcR_QCIII_fw 5'- CATCCAGTCTTGGTACGTCATTTTGGACGGTCACTGGCAT - 3'
AlcR_QCIII_rv 5'- ATGCCAGTGACCGTCCAAAATGACGTACCAAGACTGGATG - 3'
AlcR_QCIV_fw 5'- GCCGCAGCTGCAAGTACCCCGCTAG - 3'
AlcR_QCIV_rv 5'- ATTTTTGAGAAAAATATATATTCAGGCGAATTGCACAATGAACAATAATAAGATTAAAATAG - 3'
pActin_QC_fw 5'- ATTTTTGAGAAAAATATATATTCAGGCGAATTGCACAATGAACAATAATAAGATTAAAATAG - 3'
pActin_QC_rv 5'- CTATTTTAATCTTATTATTGTTCATTGTGCAATTCGCCTGAATATATATTTTTCTCAAAAAT - 3'
NPT_QCI_fw 5'- GTCCGGTGCCCTGAATGAATTGCAGGACGAG - 3'
NPT_QCI_rv 5'- CTCGTCCTGCAATTCATTCAGGGCACCGGAC - 3'
NPT_QCII_fw 5'- GCGGGACCCAAGCTTTAGATCTTGCTGCG - 3'
NPT_QCII_rv 5'- CGCAGCAAGATCTAAAGCTTGGGTCCCGC - 3'
IRES_polio_fw 5'- AAGCTTGAATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGAGTTAAAACAGCTCTGGGGTTG - 3'
IRES_polio_rv 5'- TTGCAACTGCAGCGGCCGCTACTAGTAAATCCAATTCGCTTTATGATAACAATC - 3'
BPU_SDMI_r_for 5'- CCACTTAAGCATTTTCTACCAGTCGATCACACCATTCACG - 3'
BPU_SDMI_r_rev 5'- CGTGAATGGTGTGATCGACTGGTAGAAAATGCTTAAGTGG - 3'
Strep-TEV_for 5'- CTAGATGGCCGGCAGCGCTTGGTCTCATCCTCAATTTGAAAAGGGTGAAAATCTTTATTTTCAAAGCGGAA - 3'
Strep-TEV_rev 5'- CCGGTTCCGCTTTGAAAATAAAGATTTTCACCCTTTTCAAATTGAGGATGAGACCAAGCGCTGCCGGCCAT - 3'
SQ_pluc-Actin_1 5'- CCGACTCAAATACAGATATGC - 3'
SQ_pluc-Actin_2 5'- CTCGGATGTAGATCTGCG - 3'
pActin_QC_ins_fw 5'- ACCCCCCCCTCTCCTCCCATCCCCCCAACCCTACCACCACCACC
ACCACCACCTCCACCTCCTCCCCCCTCGCTGCCGGACG - 3'
pActin_QC_ins_rv 5'- CGTCCGGCAGCGAGGGGGGAGGAGGTGGAGGTGGTGGTGGTGGT
GGTGGTAGGGTTGGGGGGATGGGAGGAGAGGGGGGGGT - 3'
pActin_Oryza_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGAGTAGCTAGCATACTCGAGGTCATTCATATGCTTG - 3'
pActin_Oryza_rv 5'- TTCGAACTGCAGCGGCCGCTACTAGTACTTCTACCTACAAAAAAGCTCCG - 3'
GGGGSx5_TEV_fw 5'- CTAGATGGCCGGCGGTGGAGGCGGTTCAGGCGGAGGTGGCTCTGGCGGTGGCGGATCGGGAGG
CGGTGGCTCCGGAGGTGGAGGCTCAGGAGAGAATTTGTATTTTCAGTCAGGAA - 3'
GGGGSx5_TEV_rv 5'- CCGGTTCCTGACTGAAAATACAAATTCTCTCCTGAGCCTCCACCTCCGGAGCCACCGCCTCCC
GATCCGCCACCGCCAGAGCCACCTCCGCCTGAACCGCCTCCACCGCCGGCCAT - 3'
mMCSII_fw 5'- AATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGAGCAATTGAAGCTTCCTGCAGGTA - 3'
mMCSII_rv 5'- CTAGTACCTGCAGGAAGCTTCAATTGCTCTAGAAGCGGCCGCG - 3'
FluA_tripmut_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCGACGTGTACCACGACGGTG - 3'
FluA_tripmut_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTATTGTTGACCTTGCAGGCGG - 3'
pActin_QCI_fw 5'- CATAATTTTTGAGAAAAATATATATTCAGGCGAATTGTCACAATGAACAATAATAAGATTAAAATA - 3'
pActin_QCI_rv 5'- TATTTTAATCTTATTATTGTTCATTGTGACAATTCGCCTGAATATATATTTTTCTCAAAAATTATG - 3'
Alc R fw Seq. 5'- CAGAGCACAATTGTCCATAC - 3'
Alc R rv Seq. 5'- TCGCGGTCGATGCTCTCC - 3'
pActin_QCins_fw 5'- CATCGCCACTATATACATACCCCCCCCTCTCCTCCCATCCCCCCAACCCTACCACCACCACCAC
CACCACCTCCACCTCCTCCCCCCTCGCTGCCGGACGACGAGCTCCTC - 3'
pActin_QCins_rv 5'- GAGGAGCTCGTCGTCCGGCAGCGAGGGGGGAGGAGGTGGAGGTGGTGGTGGTGGTGGTGGTAGGG
TTGGGGGGATGGGAGGAGAGGGGGGGGTATGTATATAGTGGCGATG - 3'
PP1_for 5'- GCCGCTTCTAGATGGCCGGCGGATCCGCGGATTTAGATA - 3'
PP1_rev 5'- GTATTAACCGGTTTTCTTTGCTTGCTTTGTGATC - 3'
PhyB fw Seq 5'- GCGATTTCTCAGTTACAGGC - 3'
PhyB rv Seq. 5'- CTCAAAGCACGAGAAAGAAGC - 3'
pAct_ins_fw 5'- ACCACCACCACCTCCACCTCCTCCCCCCTCGCTGCCGGACGACGAGCTC - 3'
pAct_ins_rv 5'- GGTGGTGGTAGGGTTGGGGGGATGGGAGGAGAGGGGGGGGTATGTATATAGTGGCGATGG - 3'
PppAct_fw 5'- AAGCTTGAATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGATCGAGTCCTTGTGACTTTTGTGCAT - 3'
PppAct_rv 5'- TTCGAAACTAGTATATTTAATACGGACCTGCACAACAACCACCAAT - 3'
PppActin_QC1_fw 5'- TTATTGAGGATATCCATCTATCTTGATTTTGGACAATGTTTTACTGC - 3'
PppActin_QC1_rv 5'- GCAGTAAAACATTGTCCAAAATCAAGATAGATGGATATCCTCAATAA - 3'
PppActin_QC2_fw 5'- ACACTCTACATTCATGTCAAGAGTATAGGGACTTGGG - 3'
PppActin_QC2_rv 5'- CCCAAGTCCCTATACTCTTGACATGAATGTAGAGTGT - 3'
PppActin_fw_corr 5'- AAGCTTGAATTCGCGGCCGCTTCTAGAGCGAGTCCTTGTGACTTTTGTGCAT - 3'
SYFP2_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCGTTAGCAAGGGCGAAGAAC - 3'
SYFP2_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTTTTATACAGCTCATCCATACCCAG - 3'
eCFP_fw 5'- AAGCTTTCTAGATGGCCGGCGTGAGCAAGGGCGAGGAG - 3'
eCFP_rv 5'- TTCGAAACCGGTCTTGTACAGCTCGTCCATGCC - 3'
G-TEV-site-G_fw 5'- CTAGATGGCCGGCGGAGAGAATTTGTATTTTCAGTCAGGAA - 3'
G-TEV-site-G_fw 5'- CCGGTTCCTGACTGAAAATACAAATTCTCTCCGCCGGCCAT - 3'
PppActin_seq_fw 5'- CATGTCCCAGGGCCCTAG - 3'

Gene synthesis

6. Instruments

  • Autoclaves
    • Varioklav Typ 500 (H & P Labortechnik GmbH)
  • Chromatography: Affinity chromatography
    • Flowphotometer
      • 2138 Uvicord SII (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg)
    • Peristaltic pump
      • Pump-P1 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg)
    • Fraction collector
      • GradiFrac (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg)
  • Chromatography: Size exclusion chromatography
    • ÄKTApurifiers (GE Healthcare Europe)
    • Tricorn 10/30 Superdex 75
    • Tricorn 10/30 Superdex 20
    • HiLoad 16/60 Superdex 75
    • HiLoad 16/60 Superdex 200
  • Electrophoresis
    • Agarose gel electrophoresis chamber (Biometra GmbH)
    • Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis chamber (Biometra GmbH)
  • Geldocumentation
    • Scanner
      • Epson Perfection V700 Photo (EPSON Deutschland GmbH, Germany)
  • Mass spectrometer (ESI-TOF)
    • maXisTM Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Bremen, Germany)
  • pH-Meter
    • inoLab Series pH 720
  • Spectrometers
    • Nanodrop 2000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., St. Leon-Rot)
    • CD J810 Spektropolarimeter (Jasco Research, Victoria, Kanada)
    • UV-Vis Ultrospec 2100 pro (Amersham Bioscience Europe, Freiburg)
    • ELISA SpectraMax 250 ELISA Reader (Molecular Devices GmbH, Ismaning)
    • Synergy 2 ELISA plate reader (BioTek Instruments GmbH, Bad Friedrichshall)
  • Thermocycler
    • Mastercycler Gradient (Eppendorf AG, Hamburg)
  • Zentrifuges
    • Eppendorf
    • Sigma 4K10 (Sigma GmbH, Osterode)
    • Sigma 4K15 (Sigma GmbH, Osterode)

Moss-cultivation

  • Cellophane was used to grow the plants on agar plates in order to be able to pick them easily for subsequent experiments.
  • Sterile filters
  • Vacuum manifold

Molecular Biology Methods

Isolation of Plasmid DNA from E. coli (miniprep)

Plasmid DNA from E. coli was isolated from overnight cultures using the DNA extraction mini-prep kit (Qiagen). The principle of this method is alkaline lysis of bacterial cells followed by a selective immobilization of the plasmid DNA on a column, subsequent washing steps to remove impurities and the elution of plasmid DNA.

Determination of DNA Concentration

DNA concentration was measured using a NanoDrop Spectrophotometer by Thermo Scientific. The concentration was calculated after determination of DNA specific absorbance at 260 nm. Furthermore, the ratio of sample absorbance at 260 and 280 nm as well as at 260 and 230 nm were measured to specify the purity of the samples. A ratio of 260/280 of ~1.8 is generally accepted as “pure” for DNA. If the ratio is appreciably lower, it may indicate contamination with proteins. The 260/230 nm ratio indicates contamination with thiocyanates and phenolate ions since these absorb at 230 nm. The value is expected to be in the range of 1.8-2.2 in case DNA is relatively pure.

Agarose Gel-Electrophoresis

Agarose gel-electrophoresis was used to separate double-stranded DNA fragments by length. Ethidium bromide was applied as a nucleic acid stain (Sambrook et al., 1989). This method was used for the restriction analysis of plasmids (analytical gel-electrophoresis) as well as for the isolation of DNA fragments (preparative gel-electrophoresis). After preparative gel-electrophoresis, the bands were cut out and purified using a Qiagen Gel extraction kit.


Table 1:TAE buffer (pH 8.0)
Tris 40 mM
Acetic acid 20 mM
EDTA 1 mM

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the selective amplification of desired DNA fragments (for example from a plasmid). Primers were designed for the desired target sequences. The PCR reaction was divided in to three steps which were repeated up to 30 times. Firstly, the DNA template strand was heat-denatured at 95 °C to produce single-stranded DNA. Secondly, the temperature of the reaction batch was lowered to 55 – 60 °C to allow the primers to bind. Thirdly, the temperature was raised to 72 °C. This enabled the DNA polymerase to synthesize the other DNA strand. Special PCR methods that were used include colony and genomic PCR.

Colony PCR

A method to allow for higher throughput of clone screenings. Colonies were picked with a sterile toothpick or pipet tip. Some of the cells were smeared onto the wall of the PCR tube. Subsequently the toothpick was put into a cell culture tube with LB-medium and suitable antibiotic. Colony PCR was performed using OneTaq Hot Start DNA Polymerase (Qiagen) following this temperature scheme:

Table 2: PCR protocol
Initial denaturation 94 °C 10 min
30 cycles 95 °C 30 s
59 °C 30 s
68 °C 1 min 55 sec
Final extension 68 °C 5 min
Hold 4 °C
Purification of PCR products

PCR products were purified using the PCR purification kit by Qiagen.

Dephosphorylation of DNA

Dephosphorylation of digested PCR products via Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase (Fermaentas) was done to avoid religation of the insert and enhance ligation rate. Before dephosphorylation was performed, digest solution of restriction enzymes and buffer were purified with PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen). Afterwards 1 µg sample DNA was mixed with 10% of 10x SAP Buffer and 1 unit SAP. The mixture was incubated at 37 °C for 30 min. Inactivation occurred at 65 °C for 15 min.

DNA Restriction Enzyme Digest

For the preparation of DNA fragments and the restriction analysis of plasmid DNA, DNA was cut using restriction endonucleases. Buffers and DNA concentrations were used according to the manufacturer's suggestions.

Ligation / Cycled Ligation

After digestion with an restriction enzyme, plasmid fragments were inserted into vectors (which were cut with matching restriction enzymes) by ligation. The enzyme T4 ligase connected complementary overhangs of fragments by catalyzing the formation of the bond between the 5'phosphoryl group and the 3' hydroxyl group.

Oligohybridization of Single-Stranded DNA

Oligohybridization of oligo-nucleotides was used to create a mini MCS for cloning RFC10 compatible parts between promoter and terminator. This was achieved by using complementary oligo-nucleotides that contained the desired sequence with specific overhangs for cloning. For oligohybridization, 25 ml of 100 mM of forward and reverse oligos were put together in one tube and heated to 90 °C for 5 min. The samples were slowly cooled to room temperature in a styrofoam box overnight.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Site-Directed Mutagenesis was used to mutate specific bases of DNA sequences. Therefore, specific primers, which bind at the same site and contain a mismatch at the specific base, were required. The original base pair that had to be replaced was replaced by the mismatch. The method works just as PCR by amplifying the desired product that contains the mismatch. Afterwards, the product was digested with the restriction enzyme DpnI to destroy the plasmids strands which do not contain the desired base pair exchange. The QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit by Agilent Technologies was used.

Sequencing of Plasmid DNA

DNA constructs were sequenced by [http://eurofinsdna.com/ Eurofins mwg operon] using our own sequencing primers.

Protein Biochemical Methods

Protein production in E. coli

In order to produce our desired proteins we used the E.coli strain BL21 and the expression system pBAD. Transformed cells were put in a 4 ml culture tube with LB and 1:500 kanamycin to create a homogenous monoclonal bacteria solution. After a few hours 50 ml flasks were inoculated as a preparatory culture and incubated at 30°C overnight. Each 50 ml flask was then transferred in a 2l flask with LB and 1:500 kanamycin and incubated at 25°C till an OD of 0.8 is reached. Subsequently a concentration of 5mM arabinose was used to induce the production of our protein. After another 5 hours at 25°C our cells were ready to be harvested.

Cell disruption

To extract our protein we centrifuged our cell cultures and discarded the supernatant. The pellet of 1 l suspension was resuspended in 20 ml 0,5 mg/ml lysozyme solution and rolled for 3 hours at 4°C. For cell disruption we used a sonifier keeping the solution at under 12°C at all times.

Streptavidin-Affinity chromatography (SAC)

The isolation of recombinant proteins from crude cell extracts were performed by using streptavidin-affinity chromatography (SAC). In this method, recombinant proteins that are fused to a strep tag can be purified with a streptavidin sepharose column. The crude cell extract was centrifuged at 47000 g at 4° C for 1 hour. Afterwards, the supernatant was dialysed two times against 5 l 1 x SA-buffer for about 3 hours each to remove bacterial biotin.

Concentrating proteins using a centrifugal filter unit

Proteins were concentrated by centrifugation in filter units by Millipore with varying cutoffs. After each round of centrifugation (3 min, 3000g, 4°C) the protein solution was pipeted up and down to avoid plugging of the filter and resulting aggregation of the protein.

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)

SDS Polyacrylamide Gelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Firstly, glass plates were wiped with 70% ethanol and then assembled onto a setting rig. No rubber spacers were added as they were already fixed to the glass plates. A 15% resolving gel was made as follows:

  • 5 ml protogel
  • 2.5 ml 4 x Lower Tris (pH 8.8)
  • 2,5 ml H2O
  • 50 μl ammonium persulphate (APS) (10%)
  • 2,5 μl N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED)

The tube was mixed thoroughly and added to the setting rig between the glass plates, covered with water and left to set for about 30 minutes. Then the water was poured off and a stacking gel was prepared as follows:

  • 1 ml protogel
  • 1.5 ml 4 x Upper Tris
  • 3,5 ml H2O
  • 36 μl ammonium persulphate (APS) (10%)
  • 3 μl N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED)

All substances were mixed by inversion. 1 ml was applied on top of the already set resolving gel and a comb was put in. Once the gel was set, the comb was taken out and the wells were cleaned out with sterile water. The set gels were removed from the setting rig and placed in the running rig. 1x running buffer was poured into the rig ensuring the plates were covered. For protein preparation, 30 µg protein in 10 µl H20 and 2,5 µl 5 x Laemmli buffer were denatured for 5 minutes at 95 °C. Then 6 µl marker (unstained marker for coomassie-staining or prestained marker for Western Blot) was put into a well. The remaining wells were filled with 12,5 µl of the protein that was to be analyzed. The SDS-PAGE was performed at 120 V for about 1,5 h. For coomassie staining, the gel was incubated in coomassie staining dye for 20 minutes, then put into the first decolorizing solution for 20 minutes. Finally. the gel was put into a second decolorizing solution until the background color was gone. Another method that was used for protein staining was silver staining.

Western Blot

After SDS-PAGE, gels were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane in transfer buffer (20 ml 5x SDS buffer, 20 ml methanol, 60 ml H2O) at 500 mA for 1h. Membranes were washed 3x 15 min in PBS-T0.1 (PBS + 0,1 % v/v Tween 20) and subsequently blocked with 3 % BSA for one hour. For antibody detection, membranes were washed 3x 15 min in PBS-T0.1 and then incubated in detection solution containing the antibody straptavidin-AP (1:4000 in PBS-T0.1) for one hour. The Western blot was washed 2x 10 min in PBS-T0.1 and then 2x 10 min in PBS. Afterwards, the developing solution (15 ml alkaline phosphatase buffer, 45 µl BCIP (50 mg/ml in DMF) and 7,5 µl NBT (75 mg/ml in 70 % DMF) was added. After the appearance of bands, the blot was washed and stored in water.

Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

Enzymatic Assays

For Erythromycin Esterase

Enzymatic reaction

PNPB as a model substrate

Kirby-Bauer Assay=

LC-MS Measurement of Erythromycin

For Laccase

Enzymatic reaction

ABTS as a model substrate

Determination of enzyme kinetics

Microbiological Methods

Cultivation of E.coli

E.coli strain XL1-Blue was cultivated in LB-medium (lysogeny broth) and LB plates. for the preparation of 1 liter of LB, dissolve the following and autoclave:

  • 10 g tryptone
  • 5 g yeast extract
  • 10 g NaCl

For making plates, add 15 g bacto-agar before autoclaving.

Heat Shock Transformation of E.coli with Plasmid DNA

Before transformation, CaCl2 competent cells were produced after Cohen et al., 1972. For the production of competent cells, 50 ml LB medium were inoculated with an overnight culture of the used ‘’E.coli’’ strain and incubated at 37 °C, 180 rpm. After an OD 550 of 0,5 was reached, the culture was centrifuged for 4 minutes at 5000 g for 10 minutes. The pellet was then resuspended in 40 ml pre-chilled in 0,1 M MgCl2 solution, centrifuged again and resuspended in 20 ml of pre-chilled 0,05 M CaCl2 solution. After 30 minutes of incubation on ice, the cells were centrifuged and resuspended in 2 ml 0,05 M CaCl2 solution, 15 % v/v glycerol. The competent cells were aliquoted and stored an – 80 °C. For the transformation, 100 µl competent cells and 1 ng plasmid or 5 µg of a ligation product were mixed and incubated for 30 minutes on ice. Afterwards, the cells were heat shocked at 37 °C for 5 minutes, then mixed with 2 ml LB medium and incubated at 180 rpm and 37 °C for 30-45 minutes. The transformed cells were then plated on LB medium containing an antibiotic.

Physcomitrella Methods

The techniques used for the cultivation and manipulation of Physcomitrella patens are based on the knowledge of the chair for Plantbiotechnology of Prof. Dr. Reski at Freiburg University which are availible at [http://www.plant-biotech.net Plant-Biotech.net].

Preparation of Medium and Solutions

According to Reski and Abel, 1985:


Table 3: Stock solutions 100x
25 g/l KH2PO4
25 g/l KCl
25 g/l MgSO4 x 7 H2O
100 g/l Ca(NO3)2


Table 4: Knopp medium
10 ml/l stock solutions
12.5 mg/l FeSO4x 7 H2O

The pH is adjusted to pH 5.8 with KOH or HCl, then the medium is sterilized by autoclaving.


Table 5: Knop media agar plates
1x Knop medium
1.2% (w/v) agar (Oxoid Ltd.)

The pH is again adjusted to pH 5.8 with KOH or HCl, the agar medium is sterilized by autoclaving and poured into dishes while still warm.


Table 6: Knopp regeneration medium
stock solutions
12.5 mg/l FeSO4 x 7 H2O
50 g/l glucose
30 g/l mannitol

The pH is adjusted with KOH to pH 5.8 and the medium is sterile filtered. The osmolarity is approximately 540 mOs. Sterilize by filtering (0.22 µm).


Table 7: 3M medium for the transformation
3.05 g MgCl2
1 g MES (2-(N-morpholino)-ethanesulfonic acid)
87.4 g mannitol
800 ml H20

The pH is adjusted to 5.6 with KOH. The osmolarity is approximately 580 mOs. Sterilize by autoclaving.


Table 8: 0.5 M Mannitol solution for the transformation
91.1 g mannitol
800 ml H20

The pH is adjusted to pH 5.8 with KOH or HCl and H20 is added to 1 l. The osmolarity is approximately 560 mOs. Sterilize by autoclaving.


Table 9: 4 % (w/v) Driselase solution for the transformation
0.4 g Driselase (Sigma)
10 ml 0.5 M mannitol

Mix by vortexing and cover the tube with aluminum foil for light protection. Incubate for 1 h at room temperature while mixing, e.g. on a rotating table. Centrifuge at 2300 x g for 10 min and filter sterilize the supernatant (0.22 μm filter).

Knopp full medium with G418 for agar plates:

Prepare the following stock solutions:

Table 10: Stock solutions for Knopp full medium.
reagent stock composition
H3BO3 1000x 154.6 mg / 50 ml H2O
MnSO4 1000x 377.5 mg / 50 ml H2O
ZnSO4*7H2O 1000x 215.61 mg/50 ml H2O
(NH)6Mo7O24*4H2O  1000x 30.9 mg / 50 ml H2O
KI 1000x 20.8 mg / 50 ml H2O
CuSO4*5H2O 1000x 0.6 mg / 50 ml H2O
CoCl2*6H2O 1000x 0.6 mg / 50 ml H2O
Myo-Inositol 1000x 21.8 mg / 50 ml H2O
Nikotinamid 1000x 48.8 mg / 50 ml H2O
Thiamin-HCl 1000x 25.3 mg / 50 ml H2O
Pyridoxin-HCl 1000x 12.3 mg / 50 ml H2O
Biotin 1000x 0.5 mg / 50 ml H2O
D-Pantothen 1000x 43.6 mg / 50 ml H2O
Riboflavin 1000x 0.8 mg / 50 ml H2O
palmitic acid 1000x 176.9 mg / 50 ml warm ethanol
3-aminobenzoic acid 500x 12.3 mg / 100 ml H2O
Adenin 100x 337.8 mg / 500 ml H2O
Peptone 100x 12.5 mg / 50 ml H2O
Glucose 10x 25 g / 500 ml H2O

The stock solutions can be stored at -20°C for further use. The peptone stock should be prepared from scratch every time, though. Sterile filter and add the stock solutions to autoclaved, still warm (not hot!) Knop medium agar, working on a laminar flow bench. The glucose solution can be prepared and autoclaved seperately, since sterile filtering it through syringes is no fun due to the amounts needed. Add the plamictic acid last or it will lead to precipitation. You can re-use the filter tip if you can handle it in a sterile way. Last, add the G418 antibiotic for a final concentration of 25 µg/ml. Pour agar into plates while still warm.

Cultivation of P. patens

The standard cultivation conditions for P. patens are 25°C ±1°C under a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod with a lightintensity of 55 μmol/(m2*s).

In our lab, we cultivated P. patens in Erlenmeyer flasks equipped with a sterile filter in the lid made of aluminum foil. To provide sufficient CO2, we used compressed air which went through the sterile filter and through an attached Pasteur pipette into the liquid medium. The resulting bubbles helped to continuously stir the culture. The liquid cultures were regularly homogenized using a Ultra Turrax T25 device at 19 000 RPM and the culture was subsequently provided with fresh medium. We also experimented with liquid cultures in the incubator shaker as well as in unstirred medium and with cultivation on solid medium and on medium soaked felt, as well as some other surfaces. We tried to keep the temperature constant by air conditioning, but it was of course subject to some fluctuations. The appropriate light/dark photoperiods were produced by hooking striplights up to a time switch. The whole set-up can be seen on the pictures below and we have installed all this equipment specially for our iGEM project as the laboratory is usually used for protein biochmistry of therapeutic proteins.

After Transformation, the regenerating protoplasts were incubated in regeneration medium in 6-well-plates sealed with parafilm for 10 days and then cultivated on a layer of autoclaved cellophane (seperated with Whatman paper during autoclavation, so they dont stick together), on top of Knop medium agar plates for three days under standard conditions. Then we transferred the cellophane layers with the regenerated moss onto Knop medium agar plates containing 25 µg/ml G418 antibiotic for two weeks. The official protocol schedules a two week release period followed by another selection period to ensure stabile transormation, but we didn´t have that much time and went with a single round of selection. We plated only half of our transformed protoplasts. The other half was left in the 6-well-plates where 2 ml of selection medium were added to the 2 ml of regeneration medium from the transormation, with G418 diluted 1:8000.

Homogenization

The moss in liquid culture in Erlenmeyer flasks has to be homogenized weekly to disintegrate the protonema filaments. The process is carried out on a laminar flow bench to prevent contamination. Before homogenization, we let the moss settle and decanted the supernatant medium. We used an Ultra Turrax at 19.000 rpm. The duration depends on the density of the culture. The homgenized moss is distributed into several previously autoclaved flasks to achieve a lower density. Fresh medium is added to the new flasks and autoclaved air-filters are integrated into their lids.

Transformation

According to the [http://www.plant-biotech.net/methods/Transformation.pdf Reski protocol]

  • Prepare the DNA including the desired gene and the nptII selection casette by linearizing it with an appropriate enzyme, purifying it by ethanol precipitation and suspending it in Ca(NO3)2 for a concentration of 0.25 µg/µl
  • Prepare 4% driselase solution in 0.5 M mannitol, vortex, keep on rotating platform for 45 min (protected from light) and centrifuge at 3500 rpm, 10 min; sterile filter
  • Extraction of moss from bioreactor culture by filtering through protoplast sieve (mesh size 100 µm)
  • Addition of 12 ml 0.5 M mannitol solution and 4 ml of driselase stock solution (final concentration: 1% w/v) and Incubation for 2 h at room temperature on rotating platform (protected from light)
  • Gently filter moss material through protoplast sieve (mesh size 100 µm), then filtrate through 50 µm sieve
  • Centrifugation at 500 rpm for 10 min with slow acceleration rates in a glass tube and discard supernatant; wash protoplasts with mannitol solution, repeat.
  • Resuspend pellet in a total of 10 ml 0.5 M mannitol
  • Determine concentration of protoplasts/ ml with a hemocytometer, centrifuge the material at 45 g for 10 min and resuspend in the right amount of 3M medium to adjust the concentration to 1.2*106 live protoplasts per ml.
  • Mix 100 µl of 250 ng/µl linearized DNA solution with 350 µl PEG 4000 solution (8 g PEG4000 and 20 g 3M medium, sterile filtered) and 250 µl of the protoplast suspension and incubate 30 min while gently mixing every 5 min
  • Then dilute with 3M medium every 5 min: add 1 ml the first time, then additional 2 ml, then 3, then 4
  • Centrifugation at 500 rpm for 10 min, discard supernatant, resuspend in 4 ml regeneration medium and divide into 2 wells of a 6-well plate
  • Incubation in the dark over night, then a regeneration phase of 10 days at a light/dark regime of 16/8 h
  • Transfer the regenerated protoplasts on solidified Knop medium covered with a sterile cellophane sheet and grow them at standard conditions for 3 days
  • Subsequently start selection by placing the cellophane sheet with the moss protoplasts on top of it onto selection plates (if you used the nptII selection cassette, use 25 µg/ml G418) for two weeks
  • To ensure stable integration, give the moss a release phase of two weeks without antibiotics followed by another two weeks on selection plates

References:

http://www.plant-biotech.net/paper/Hohe_and_Reski.pdf Hohe A., R. Reski, 2002 Hohe A., R. Reski (2002): Optimisation of a bioreactor culture of the moss Physcomitrella patens for mass production of protoplasts. Plant Sci. 163, 69-74.

http://www.plant-biotech.net/paper/CurrGenet_2003_hohe.pdf Hohe et al., 2004 Hohe, A., T. Egener, J. Lucht, H. Holtorf, C. Reinhard, G. Schween, R. Reski (2004): An improved and highly standardised transformation procedure allows efficient production of single and multiple targeted gene knockouts in a moss, Physcomitrella patens. Current Genet. 44, 339-347.

Retrieved from "http://2013.igem.org/Team:TU-Munich/Notebook/Methods"