POM MOCK 4 - Diagnostic virology, emerging treatments, prenatal testing, phenotypic variability, Flashcards
How is HTLV-1 transmitted?
Mother to infant (breastfeeding). Sexual contact. Blood transfusion.
What is HTLV-1 structure?
Enveloped virus. Single strand RNA virus. Contains reverse transcriptase.
HLTV-1 replication cycle?
HTLV-1 enters T-cell
ssRNA released into host cell cytosol
ssRNA reverse transcribed (RT-enzyme) to ssDNA
ssDNA converted to dsDNA
dsDNA enters nucleus and integrates into host genome
viral genome can replicate as part of the host chromosome
What triggers oncogenesis in T cell infected with HLTV?
The HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein triggers oncogenesis and induces the production of its own RNAs.
How is a polymerase chain reaction done?
DNA sample is denatured by heating to 94 degrees celsius. Cooled down to 54 degrees to allow forward and reverse primers to anneal. Sample is heated to 72 degrees and new DNA chain is extended.
How many cycles is a typical PCR?
30-40.
What are the 5 key reagents of a PCR?
DNA template, Primers, DNA polymerase, deoxynucleotide triphosphates and reaction buffer.
How is DNA sample for HLTV taken?
Blood is taken from patient and mixed with seperation medium. It is then centrifuged. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction is extracted and DNA is isolated.
How many PCR reactions would need to be setup if testing 4 patients for hltv?
- 4 patients PCR reactions. One positive control (HLTV). One negative control (no HLTV).
What electrode does DNA move towards in gel electrophoresis?
Positive electrode as DNA is negatively charged.
What is used to visualise the DNA in electrophoresis?
Intercalating DNA stain.
Why is a DNA loading dye used?
Increase weight of DNA sample. See which wells contain a sample. Indicate how far the DNA fragments have migrated during run.
Why is a DNA ladder used?
To estimate size of DNA fragment.
What is the point of a buffer in PCR?
Provides suitable pH for DNA polymerase.
How is the western blot method performed for HLTV?
Different HLTV viral proteins are separated based on their size on a protein gel using electrophoresis. The proteins will be transferred using an electro-transfer system onto a PVDF membrane that the viral proteins will stick to, and this will basically create an image of the gel. Incubate membrane with patient serum so antibodies can bind to viral proteins. Wash membrane to remove all unbound antibodies. Incubate membrane with secondary antibody that is conjugated with an enzyme. Secondary antibody binds to fc region of patient’s antibodies. Wash again to remove any unbound secondary antibodies. Substrate added, enzyme produces colour.
For a positive HLTV diagnosis what antibodies need to be present on western blot method?
MTA-1, p53, p24, p19 and gd21(recombinant glycoprotein).
What is the advantage of doing a quantitative real time PCR for diseases?
Provides information on amount of viral DNA present in sample. Can help predict severity of disease and how likely transmission is to occur.
What are the two ways in which quantitative real time PCR is done?
Fluorescence dye-based method and DNA probe-based method.
Describe the process of developing a treatment?
Preclinical.
Phase 1 - Health volunteers.
Phase 2 - Check therapeutic effect by testing on patients.
Phase 3 - Large scale therapeutic trials.
Approval.
How do pharmacological chaperones work?
Aggregation of misfolded protein. Drug folds protein correctly.
Disadvantage of pharmacological chaperones?
Mutation specific.