Detection of Alu sequences and mtDNA in comets using padlock probes

作者：Shaposhnikov Sergey; Larsson Chatarina; Henriksson Sara; Collins Andrew^*; Nilsson Mats

来源：Mutagenesis, 2006, 21(4): 243-247.

DOI：10.1093/mutage/gel022

Single cell gel electrophoresis, or the comet assay, is widely used to measure DNA damage and repair. However, the behaviour of the DNA under the conditions used for the comet assay is not fully understood. In developing a method for studying specific gene sequences within comets, using 'padlock probes' (circularizable oligonucleotide probes), we have first applied probes that hybridize to Alu repetitive elements and to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). During the sequence of stages in the comet assay, mtDNA progressively disperses into the surrounding agarose gel, showing no tendency to remain with nuclear DNA in the comets. In contrast, Alu probes remain associated with both tail and head DNA.

• 出版日期2006-7