A METHOD OF DETECTION OF CARCINOGENIC HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

Abstract: Carcinogenic human papillomavirus types HPV16 and HPV18 are detected in a sample of cervical tissue. A selected characteristic DNA portion of the virus defined by oligonucleotide primers is amplified using a polymerase chain reaction involving successive heating and cooling steps, for example up to 250,000 copies. The presence/absence of the characteristic cloned DNA portion is detected by gel electrophoresis or using a labelled oligonucleotide probe.

Description: A METHOD OF DETECTION OF CARCINOGENIC HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS Technical Field of Invention This invention relates to a method for the specific detection of the DNA of papillomaviruses in clinical samples. In particular, the test aims to differentiate, in the shortest possible time, whether cells from the anogenital region contain types of papiUomavirus that are associated with cancer or whether they contain types of papiUomavirus that are generally associated with benign lesions. Such differentiation has important implications in patient evaluation and follow-up. Background Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer in women (~25% of all female cancer). Moreover, the incidence is increasing in younger women. Indeed, approximately 2% of routine cervical smears show abnormal cytology, indicating an epidemic. Such an epidemic is current in many western and developing countries. Sexual activity appears to be an important predisposing factor in the epidemiology of carcinogenesis and precancerous lesions. An early age of sexual intercourse and multiplicity of sexual partners are associated statistically with an increased risk of malignancy [Harris et al, Br. J. Cancer 42: 359-63, 1980]. The consorts are often men with penile warts ('high risk males'), and a very high proportion (>90%) of cervical carcinoma tissue contain detectable DNA sequences for known varieties of the human papiUomavirus (HPV). This supports a growing body of evidence implicating certain types of HPV as the sexually r.ransmitted factor involved in the development of squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix [zur Hausen et al, Progr. Med.Virol. 30: 170-86, 1984; zur Hausen, Progr. Med.Virol. 32: 15-21, 1985; zur Hausen, Cancer 59: 1692-6; Campion et al., Lancet i: 943-6, 1985]. The prevalence of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions is becoming increasingly more common in younger women. Without treatment it can be fatal, the death rate being -100 per million women per year in Western countries. Fortunately, if detected at an early stage, effective treatment is available that can eliminate the fatal consequences. The immediate management and subsequent follow-up of young women with abnormal cytological smears who still wish to bear children presents many problems. This has been compounded by uncertainty about the interpretation of smears with features of papiUomavirus infection ("koilocytes") as well as dysplasia. Moreover, the current cytological testing tool for cervical cancer screening, the Pap smear, has a false negative rate of -20%. Significant numbers of dysplastic lesions regress spontaneously, others fail to progress, while a few progress rapidly. Thus, from an ill-defined cloud of morphological abnormalities occasional cancers develop. At present there is no clear way to predict whether cancer will result if a Pap smear happens to be abnormal. Clinical examination of many of these patients has failed to find warty lesions (condylomata accuminata) on the external genitalia or, indeed, on the cervix itself. The more difficult procedure of colposcopy, after the application of 3% acetic acid, is, in fact, required, revealing the presence of flat ("non-condylomatous") warts (which are invisible to the naked eye). These are the suspected premalignant lesions. Histopathological progression of the wart to carcinoma in situ and frank malignancy has been well described [e.g., Dyson et al., J. Clin. Path. 37: 126-31, 1984]. An increasingly prevalent problem is the occurrence of invasive cancer within 3 years of a negative Pap smear [Berkowitz etal., Gynecol. Oncol. 8: 311, 1979; Holman etal., Med. J. Aust. 2: 597, 1981]. Whereas the presence of papiUomavirus replication may be confirmed in cervical condylomata by detection of virus particles or the group-specific antigen, neither particles nor antigen have, however, been found in squamous cell carcinoma tissue. In contrast to the uncertainty and controversy that surrounds the interpretation of tests based on morphology, the new techniques in molecular biology can be utilised to bypass such problems and provide more objective information. By using nucleic acid hybridization techniques the viral DNA can be identified directly and at an earlier stage of infection. Indeed, using these approaches, HPV types have been found in both benign and premalignant lesions. At present ~50 types of the papiUomavirus have been distinguished in human infection. Different ones infect different epithelial areas. The particular types of HPV that commonly infect the genital tract include those assigned the numbers 6, 11, 16, 18 and several rarer types (31, 33, 35, 39, 43 and 44). HPV6 [de Villiers etal., J. Virol. 40: 932-5, 1981] and HPV11 [Gissmann etal., J. Virol.44: 393-400, 1982; Gissman etal, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80: 560-3, 1983; Dartmann et al.,Virology 151: 124-30, 1986] have been associated with benign condylomata accuminata, the classical lesion of the anal and genital tract [Gissmann et al., J. Invest. Dermatol. 83: 26s-8s, 1984]. In contrast, HPV16 [Durst et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80: 3812-5, 1983] and HPV18 [Boshart et al., EMBO /. 3: 1151-7, 1984; Cole and Danos, /. Mol. Biol. 193: 599-608, 1987] are more often detected in dysplastic flat lesions of the vulva and cervix, and squamous carcinoma of the cervix and penis [Crum et al., Cancer 49: 468-71, 1982; Campion etal., Lancet i: 943-6, 1985]. Thus the types of HPV that infect the anogenital area can be assigned to two categories as follows: 1. "Low-risk": HPV 6 and HPV11, with type 6 being the most common of all anogenital types. 2. "High-risk": HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV35, HPV39, HPV43 and HPV44. The frequency of occurrence of the higher risk types is in decreasing order. Thus, within the high risk category, HPV16 is most common (45-60%), HPV18 is next most common (20-30%) and the others are rarer, the last 4 being discovered only recently and reported in 1986 (total frequency for all of these rarer types is, collectively, ~15%). Other rarer types are likely to be discovered in due course. In support of a role for HPVs in cervical cancer the following findings are noteworthy: (i) DNAs of known high risk HPVs have been detected in ~90% of cervical adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas [Zachow et al, Nature 300: 771-3, 1982; Gissmann etal, 1984, ibid. \. ( ii) High risk HPV DNA has been found in metastases arising from cervical tumours [Lancaster etal, Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol 154: 115-9, 1986]. (iii) Instead of being present in cells in the usual episomal form, DNAs of high risk HPVs have been found integrated into human genomic DNA [Schwartz et al, Nature 314: 111-4, 1985; Lehn et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82: 5540-4, 1985; Kreider et al, Nature 317: 639-41, 1985; Matsukura et al, J. Virol 58: 979-82, 1986; Schneider-Gadicke and Schwartz, EMBO J. 5: 2285-92, 1986; Di Luca et al., J. Gen. Virol. 61: 583-9, 1986]. Such integration has been suggested to be necessary for malignant conversion of the cells, supported by findings of integration also in precarcinoma tissue [Shirasawa et al, J. Gen. Virol. 67: 2011-5, 1986]. (iv) The integration pattern usually interupts or deletes specific regions of the HPV16 or 18 DNA, but consistently leaves intact the E6 and E7 openreading frames (ORFs) ([Pater and Pater, Virology 145: 313-8, 1985], which continue to express, at least in cell lines derived from cervical carcinomas [Smotkin and Wettstein, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 83: 4680-4, 1986; Androphy et al, EMBO J. 6: 989-92, 1987; Baker et al, J. Virol 61: 962-71, 1987; Takebeef al, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 143: 837-44, 1987]. (v) A splice donor exists in the E6 ORF of HPV 16 and 18 (but not HPV6 and 11) which can result in the generation of an ORF which when translated resembles epidermal growth factor [zur Hausen, Lancet 489-91, 1986]. (vi) Integration in cervical cell lines (HeLa, CaSki, SiHa, SW756, etc) is often near proto-oncogenes [Durst et al, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 84: 1070-4, 1987; Popescu et al, Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 44: 58-62, 1987; Popescu et al, J. Virol. 51: 1682-5, 1987; Shirasawa et al, J. Gen. Virol 68: 583-91, 1987]. (vii) Such integration is associated with increased expression of c-myc and c-ras mRNA (Durst et al, 1987, ibid; Shirasawa et al, 1987, ibid.), consistent with the suggestion that cis-activation of cellular oncogenes by HPV might be associated with malignant transformation of cervical cells. (viii) Human fibroblasts and keritanocytes can be transformed by transfection with HPV 16 ' [Pirisi et al, J. Virol. 61: 1061-6, 1987], as can NTH 3T3 cells [Tsunokawa et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83: 2200-3, 1986; Yasumoto et al, J. Virol 57: 572-7, 1986]. , (ix) Integration might disrupt genes coding for cellular interfering factors; this may cripple the cells normal defence mechanism that suppresses uncontrolled growth and transcription of the virus [zur Hausen, Lancet 489-91, 1986]. Whereas penile warts in males only very rarely result in cancer of the penis, when transmitted to the cervix cancer is much more likely to follow. About one-third of patients who have histologically-confirmed HPV infection of the cervix can be expected to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) within a year [Nashet al, Obstet. Gynecol 69: 160-2, 1987]. The lag time between infection and cancer is, however, often 10-30 years. Thus the unique environment of the cervix, coupled with other factors, such as smoking [Trevathan et al, J. Am. Med. Ass. 250: 499-504, 1983], also contribute to the onset of the cancer. Damage of DNA by the latter, coupled with HPVs action to cause cellular proliferation, may explain the onset of malignancy. Treatment of women with precancerous lesions involves surgical extirpation of the affected area. Moreover, it is now believed by many that treatment should also involve her infected male consort, in order to avoid reinfection and infection of other women by the man. Since the cytological test used presently for routine screening of cervical cells (Pap smear) is considered subjective and does not allow the identification of the particular type of HPV in a lesion, we foresee that the more specific approach of DNA-DNA hybridization for direct viral detection will in due course be used routinely to supplement or even replace cytology in primary screening. In the clinical evaluation of a patient it is important to distinguish between those lesions harbouring the potentially carcinogenic (high-risk) types from those associated with the the more benign (low-risk) types. The evaluation of patient specimens for HPV infection has been facilitated by techniques of filter hybridization. Such techniques have been used to detect HPV DNA in cervical scrapes collected in parallel with samples for routine cytology [Wagner et al, Obstet. Gynecol. 64: 767-72, 1984; Wickenden et al, Lancet i: 65-7, 1984; Schneider et al, Science 216: 1065-70, 1982]. In Jan 1985 a project was begun by Dr Morris at The University of Sydney to develop a direct test for the anogenital types of HPV; with a particular aim of evaluating whether the infection was by one of the high risk types of HPV or by one of the low risk types. The first publication describing a preliminary version of the test, which involved recombinant viral DNAs, is: B.R. Henderson, C.H. Thompson, B.R. Rose, Y.E. Cossart and BJ. Morris, "Detection of specific types of human papiUomavirus in cervical scrapes, anal scrapes, and anogenital biopsies by DNA hybridization", Journal of Medical Virology 12: 381-93, 1987. This paper was submitted early in 1986. Since then the sensitivity of the recombinant DNA test has been increased 100-fold and further improvements are being made continually. Over 5,000 clinical specimens have been tested to date. These have been mainly from Sydney S.T.D. clinics. The data so far has established the viability and usefulness of direct viral detection for determination of the presence and nature of HPV infection in cervical scrapes and other anogenital specimens. Our other recent publications using this approach include: B.R. Rose, C.H. Thompson, A.M. McDonald, B.R. Henderson, Y.E. Cossart & BJ. Morris, "Cell biology of cultures of anogenital warts", British Journal of Dermatology 116: 311-22, 1987; B.J. Parker, Y.E. Cossart, C.H. Thompson, B.R. Rose & B. R. Henderson, "The clinical management and laboratory assessment of anal warts", Medical Journal of Australia 147: 59-63, 1987; P.M. Katelaris, Y.E. Cossart, B.R. Rose, B. Nightingale, E. Sorich, C.H. Thompson, P.B. Dallas & BJ. Morris, "Human papiUomavirus: The untreated male reservoir", Journal of Urology, in press, 1988. Much other work has yet to be published. For main strand DNA sequences of the most common anogenital HPV types see as follows: The sequence of HPV6b is given in Schwartz et al, EMBO J. 2: 2361-8, 1983. The sequence of HPV11 is given in Dartmann et al, Virology 151: 124-30, 1986. The sequence of HPV16 is given in Seedorf et al, Virology 145: 181-5, 1985. The sequence of HPV18 is given in Matlashewski et al, J. Gen. Virol 67: 1909-16, 1986. The sequence of HPV33 is given in Cole and Streeck, J. Virol 58: 991-5, 1986. Principal of detection of specific viral DNA by hybridization DNA is double-stranded. Each strand of DNA is a complementary 'mirror image' of the other. The DNA strands are held together by hydrogen bonding. Our techniques for detecting viral DNAs are based on the ability of the unique sequence of nucleotides in a DNA strand to bond with ('hybridize') to a sequence complementary to it. Thus, armed with a DNA sequence for all or a unique part of a papiUomavirus type, it is possible to use this as a 'homing probe' in order to detect the virus in a sample of cervical cells from a patient. The DNA for use as probe is labelled either with a radioactive isotope or nonradioactive label so that it can be detected later. To increase the sensitivity of the test we have utilized a method for ampUfication of the HPV DNA sequences in the sample. Background to approach used to amplify viral DNA In order to increase the sensitivity of the detection technique we use a method described originally for diagnosis of genetic diseases. This is known as a 'polymerase chain reaction 1 (PCR). It is used to amplify enzymatically a specific DNA sequence before hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotide probe. A typical amplification factor is -250,000 copies starting from one copy of viral DNA. Such an approach not only increases sensitivity, but fulfills requirements of specificity, speed, simplicity, and amenabihty to nonradioactive detection methods expected of a more versatile testing procedure. It is also amenable to assembly as a kit and to automation, both of which we have accomplished. The PCR technique is described in papers that deal with prenatal diagnostic testing for specific genetic abnormalities [Sakii et al, Science 230: 1350-4, 1985; Sakii et al, Nature 324: 163-6, 1986; Scharf et al, Science 233: 1076-8, 1986]. The PCR technique is the subject of the following: Australian Patent Application AU-A-55322/86, Cetus Corp."Process for Amplifying Nucleic Acid Sequences", U.S. Priority Date 28.3.85; Australian Patent Application AU-A-55323/86, "Amplification and Detection of Target Nucleic Acid by Hybridization Probe", U.S. Priority Date 28.3.85. Briefly, a small, unique portion of the HPV DNA sequence, -100-200 bp long, is amplified by the PCR procedure. In the examples a region in the E6 region has been chosen. However, any other region in the viral DNA may also be chosen. The PCR step requires two ~20mer oligonucleotide primers that flank the region to be amplified. One primer is complementary to the (- )-strand of a region of the DNA and the other is complementary to the (-)-strand. The annealing of primer to the (--)-strand of denatured sample viral DNA, followed by extension with, e.g., the Klenow fragment oϊ Escherichia coli DNA polymerase, or other enzymes that carry out a similar reaction, and deoxynucleotide triphosphates results in the synthesis of a (-)-strand fragment containing a 'target' sequence residing between the hybridization sites of the primer. At the same time a similar reaction occurs with the other primer, creating a new (+)-strand. The principle of the method is shown in the following diagram. - • Primer 1 m Klenow DNA polymerase ^ 3 , ■ ■ ■ -_-ST-sa-SB-^-i-s--Ba--B---S-sa-ssB-sssasa----a ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ \W > a m β^^t^ β^t^ XW m K^ ^^mβ ^^ ^ i^^ ^^^ m ■ ■ ■ ' -»"1 S HHBBBBBBBBBB 5' *^^^^~ Primer 2 Target probe Since these newly-synthesized DNA strands are themselves templates for the PCR primers, repeated cycles of denaturation, primer annealing, and extension result in the exponential accumulation of the -100-200 bp region defined by the primers. Next, the specific DNA is detected. Various means are possible for " doing this. The amount of DNA produced may be sufficient for direct visualization after electrophoresis on a gel and staining. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In particular, the present invention provides a method of detection of carcinogenic human papiUomavirus HPV16 and/or HPV18 which comprises (a) applying a polymerase chain reaction technique to a sample of human cervical tissue ceUs so as to amplify the amount of a selected characteristic DNA portion of any such carcinogenic HPV present comprising the steps of: (i) heating to dissociate the DNA strands, (ii) adding oligonucleotide primers defining each end of said characteristic DNA portion, (iii) cooling to aUow the primers to anneal to the dissociated DNA strands, (iv) adding a DNA polymerase, ( v ) at the cooled temperature aUowing formation of DNA complementary to each strand of said characteristic DNA portion, (vi) heating to dissociation temperature, and repeating steps (iii) to (vi), optionally omitting step (iv) where a heat stable DNA polymerase is used. (b) detecting the presence/absence in the amplified sample of said characteristic DNA portion characteristic of HPV16 or HPV18. The invention also extends to the specific oligonucleotide primers used, and to specific labeUed oligonucleotide probes, as described hereinafter. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only. EXAMPLES Summary of typical technique(s) used 1. Scrapes or wart tissue are coUected in the clinic by routine methods and stored, if necessary, for up to 3 days before transport to the laboratory for analysis. 2. CeUs are lysed and their DNA denatured. 3. Viral DNA is amplified by a polymerase chain reaction. 4. Viral DNA is detected directly, e.g., by electrophoresis and staining [= end-point of test], OR 4a.Samples (multiple) are applied to a charged nylon membrane using a dot manifold, along with appropriate standards and controls. 5. FUter is prehybridized. 6. Filter is hybridized with labelled mixed viral DNA probes, one mixture containing probes for the 'high risk' (potentially carcinogenic) and the other probes for the 'low risk' HPVs. 7. Filters are washed under conditions of appropriate stringency where only closely related sequences will remain attached (through hydrogen bonding of the complementary DNA strands of each). 8. Autoradiography. (Black spots of exposure on the X-ray film where a sample has been applied shows that it contains a HPV virus of the category probed for.), OR 8a.Perform nonradioacive detection method. (Coloured spot or other signal, as appropriate, shows that it contains a HPV virus of the category probed for.) Examples of oligonucleotides that work in test described PRIMERS For each HPV type or category two synthetic oligonucleotides are synthesized for use as primers in the extension and amplification step of PCR. These oligonucleotides correspond to DNA flanking a specific "target" sequence of interest, this being a sequence of DNA in the viral genome that is unique for HPV and differs from one HPV type or category ('high risk' vs ow risk') to the next. We have found the oligonucleotides described below to be suitable; however, other appropriate sequences can also be chosen for the specific viral types indicated or for other types of papiUomavirus. Low risk HPVs For HPV6 and HPV11 a suitable target sequence has been chosen within the E6 open reading frame of the viral genome. Suitable DNA sequences flanking this target sequence for use as primers are as follows (where position number refers to the nucleotide sequence of the viral genome) and are the same for each of these HPVs: HPV6/11 primer 1 : 5 ΑTGCCTCCACGTCTGCAAC 3' POSITION: 115 133 HPV6/11 primer 2: 3' TACGTGACTGGTGGCCGTCTC 5' POSITION: 208 227 These primers have complementary sequences on HPV6 and HPVIl. They differ from sequences in the genomes of HPV16, HPV18 and HPV33, where separate primers flanking a chosen DNA target sequence are synthesized for these, together with oligonucleotides suitable for use as probes, using the same principal as described above and below, respectively, for HPV6 and HPVIl. High risk HPVs For HPV16 and HPV 33 suitable sequences flanking a chosen target sequence are as foUows: HPV16/33 primer 1: 5' TGAGGTATATGACTTTGCiΥiT 3' POSITION: 223 244 HPV16/33 primer 2: 3 AATTAATCCACATAAT 5' POSITION: 401 416 For HPV 18 suitable sequences flanking a chosen target sequence are as foUows: HPV18 primer 1: 5 TGTCATAACCrrGAATGTCT 3' POSITION: 428 437 HPV18 primer 2: POSITION: 508 527 It is most convenient to add primers for all HPV types to each sample. The sample may then be divided and probed for each category of HPV types (high risk vs low risk). TARGET OLIGONUCLEOTIDES FOR USE AS PROBES Low risk HPVs Synthesize oligonucleotide (target) sequence for use as probe. This corresponds to a region between the two primers, and is identical for each of the viral types HPV6 and HPV11, but differs, of course, from any other viral or other DNA sequence. These sequences are as follows: HPV6/11 target oligonucleotide: 5 'GCAAGACGTTTAATCT 3 ' POSITION: 151 166 For detection of HPV16 and HPV33 the following oligonucleotide (target) sequence is synthesized for use as a probe: HPV16/33 target oligonucleotide: 5 GTGAGTATAGACATTAT 3' POSITION: 324 340 For detection of HPV18 specifically, or within the category of high-risk HPVs, the following oUgonucleotide (target) sequence is synthesized for use as a probe: HPV18 target oUgonucleotide: 5' GATTTATTTGTGGTGTATAGA 3, POSITION: 460 480 The exact location of all of these sequences may be seen by examination of the published sequences of the viral genomes. It should be emphasized that this same principle, namely synthesis of oligonucleotides that will hybridize to opposite strands of the DNA flanking a specific target sequence in HPV(s), can apply equally weU to other sets of sequences within the sequences of HPVs described in the publications listed above and in sequences of other HPVs when published. Labelling target oligonucleotides Radioactive labelling 5' end label the ~30mers with [γ- 32 P]dATP using T4 polynucleotide kinase [Berkner and Folk, /. Biol Chem. 252: 3176-80, 1977]. A kit is available from Dupont (New England Nuclear) that can be used for this step, i. Mix: DNA with 5' terminal phosphates 1-50 pmoles 10 x exchange reaction buffer* 5 μl 5 mM ADP 3 μl [γ- 3 P]dATP (sp. act 3000 Ci/mmol) 100 pmoles (i.e., 30 μl of a 10 mCi/ml solution Distilled water to 50 μl T4 polynucleotide kinase 1 μl (20 units) *10x Exchange reaction buffer. 0.5 M imidazole.Cl (pH 6.6) I 0.1 M M C- 2 50 mM dithiothreitol 1 mM spermidine 1 mM EDTA ii. Incubate at 37°C for 30 minutes. iii. Add 2 μl of 0.5 M EDTA. iv. Extract once with phenol/chloroform. Nonradioactive labelling Various methods are becoming available for nonradioactive labelling of oligonucleotides for use a hybridization probes. These are more appropriate for use in a HPV detection kit as they generally have acceptably long half-lives and avoid dangers from and the need for a licence for use o radioactivity. We have used non-radioactive oligonucleotides made by one such new technique (performed by BRES A, Adelaide) in which alkaline phosphatase is coupled directly to the targe oligonucleotide. Alkaline phosphatase labelled oligonucleotides of any sequence specified ar avaUable made-to-order from BRES A. Reagents Collection buffer = phosphate buffered saline (PBS) = 140 mM NaCl, 3 mM KC1, 8 m Na 2 HP0 4 .12H 2 0, 1.5 mM KH j PC^. Lysis buffer = 50 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 0.5% SDS, 10 mM EDTA. Enzyme powder = Proteinase K (concentration after addition of 10 ml lysis buffer = 50 μg/ml) Deproteinization reagent 1 = phenoVchlorofoirn isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1, v/v) Deproteinization reagent 2 = chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24:1, v/v) Extraction solution = 3 M sodium acetate PCR buffer (if using normal Klenow) = 50 mM NaCl, 10 mM Tris.HCl, pH7.6, 10 mM MgCl 2 PCR buffer (if using heat stable DNA polymerase) = 50 mM Tris.HCl, pH 8.8 (at 25°C), 10 m ammonium sulphate, 10 mM MgCL^. PCR reagent buffer = 10 x PCR buffer 10 μl dNTPs 16 μl (4 μl of each 50 mM stock) Dimethylsulphoxide 10 μl Primers 1 μl of each 500 ng μl stock (= 4 μl in total) DNA (ceUs or DNA) x μl dH j O Make volume up to 100 μl DNA polymerase solution = 1 U/μl of DNA polymerase (Klenow fragment) Prehybridization solution = 6 x SSC, 25 x Denhardt's solution, 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate. Hybridization solution = 6 x SSC, 1 x Denhardt's solution and 0.5% SDS, with 100 ng/m alkaline phosphatase linked oligonucleotide probe. Wash solution 1 = 6 x SSC, 0.1% SDS Wash solution 2 = 6 x SSC Wash solution 3 = 1 M NaCl, 0.1 M Tris.HCl, pH 9.5, 5 mM MgCl 2 Colour reagent solution = 0.33 mg/ml nitroblue tetrazollium (NBT), 0.17 mg/ml 5-bromo-4 chloro-3-indoyl phosphate (BCIP), 0.33% v/v dimethylformamide in 0.1 M Tris.HCl, pH 9.5 0.1M NaCl, 5mM Mg Cl 2 TE = 10 mM Tris.HCl, pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA SSC — standard saline citrate (1 x SSC = 0.15 M sodium chloride, 0.015 M trisodium citrate, pH 7.0) Denhardt's solution = 5 g FicoU, 5 g polyvinylpyrroHdone, 5 g bovine serum albumin, made up t 500 ml with distilled water. SDS = sodium dodecyl sulphate PROTOCOL FOR CERVICAL or other anogenital, SCRAPES Collection of specimen from patient 1. Collect scrape from the patient in the clinic using a speculum (i.e., as for a Pap smear) preferably, by cervicovaginal lavage in the case of cervical screening. 2. Place the stick with scrape in collection tube provided. (This tube contains sterile collecti buffer.) 3. The scrape tissue may be kept at 4°C for 2-3 days or frozen at -20°C for longer term storage. Sample preparation 1. Take collection tube and shake off residual cells on speculum into collection buffer in tub Pour suspension into an Eppendorf tube. 2. Microfuge for 15 seconds. Pour off PBS from pellet. Resuspend cells in 500 μl fres collection buffer by vortexing briefly. Microfuge again. 3. Repeat step 2 two more times. 4. Determine number of cells per ml using a haemocytometer. Procedure for polymerase chain reaction (Normal Klenow) 1. Add a volume of cell suspension that contains -10,000 cells to 35 μl distilled water in a Eppendorf tube. 2. Place tube in water bath heated to 95-98°C 3. After 10 minutes remove tube and microfuge briefly to remove condensation. 4. Immediately add 65 μl PCR reagent buffer. 5. Place tube in a second water bath heated to 37°C. 6. After 2 min add 1 μl DNA polymerase solution; allow reaction to precede for 2 min at 37°C. 7. Place tube back in 95-98°C water bath for 2 minutes, then microfuge briefly. 8. Repeat steps 5-7 twenty five times. Procedure for polymerase chain reaction (Thermophilic polymerase from Thermu aquaticus) A DNA polymerase that is resistant to 95°C is used instead. Use of this enzyme facilitates the test t some extent and, most importantly, reduces costs to -20%. We have used the enzyme marketed b New England Biolabs and can be purified from a strain from hot springs in Rotorua, New Zealand Protocol is as above, except 93°C for 5 min, add 50 μl liquid paraffin to prevent evaporation, then add 4 U polymerase and incubate in 50°C bath for 30 s, 63°C bath for 90 s, and 93°C bath for 30 s Repeat this cycle e.g. 50 times. Detection of viral DNA produced by PCR procedure A number of approaches are possible from this point on. Some of those we use are described. A. POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS FOR DIRECT VISUALIZATION OF PC PRODUCTS 1. Pour a 12% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. 2. When the gel has set load half of each PCR mixture (50 μl) and electrophorese for 2 h at 15 V/cm. Include 0.5 μg of a pBR322/H αLI digest as molecular weight marker. 3. After electrophoresis immerse gel in ethidium bromide solution (50 μg/ml in distilled water) and aUow to stain for 30 min. 4.-Sample(s) positive for HPV16 or HPV33 show as a discrete band of approximately 200 bp. Samples positive for HPV6 or HPV11 show as a discrete band of approximately 120 bp. Samples positive for HPV6/11 and HPV16/33 show as discrete 200 bp and 120 bp bands. OR B. ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROBE ONTO DOT BLOT 1. Application of samples to membrane i) Place 25 μl of sample in an Eppendorf tube. Add 25 μl of L0 M sodium hydroxide solution, foUowed by 12.5 μl of distilled water. u) Place tube in 95-98°C water bath for 3 minutes. iii) Apply aU of πnxture to nylon membrane provided using Hybri-dot ® manifold, iv) Rinse with 2 x SSC. v) AUow membrane to dry. 2. Probing membrane with alkaline phosphatase-linked oligonucleotide probe i) Prehybridization - Place membrane in plastic bag provided and add 10 ml of prehybridization solution. Seal bag and incubate at 30°C for 40 min with agitation. ii) Hybridization - Empty contents of bag and replace with 10 ml of hybridization solution. Reseal plastic bag and incubate at 30°C for at 40 miή with agitation. hi) Washing - Remove membrane from bag and place in a dish containing 500 ml of wash solution 1 preheated to 37°C. Agitate for 10 minutes at this temperature. Replace solution with 500 ml of wash solution 2 and agitate for a further 10 min at 37°C. Replace solution yet again, this time with 200 ml of wash solution 3, and agitate for 5 min at room temperature. Repeat the wash solution 3 step five more times. iv) Colour development - Place membrane in shallow dish containing 25 ml of colour reagent solution. AUow colour to develop for several hours or overnight at room temperature. OR C. RADIOACTIVE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROBE ONTO DOT BLOT i ) Prehybridization The membrane is prehybridized for at least 1 h at 30°C. Several approaches can be used for this. (a) One uses a specially designed perspex block constructed in the Laboratory's mechanical workshop. The block is stood upright in a 30°C water bath with the membrane, bathed in the following solution, inside. (b) Another approach is to cut out two sheets of Whatman type 542 paper to dimensions slightly larger than the membrane. Next, place membrane on top of one sheet and wet membrane with 2 prehybridization solution. Then place other sheet of Whatman on top and place the resultin 'sandwich' in a plastic bag with the rest of the prehybridization solution. Prehybridization mixture: (10 ml total volume) 10% (wt/vol) non fat milk powder (e.g., Diploma ® ) 0.5 ml 20x SS C (3M NaCl, 0.3M sodium citrate) 2.5 ml 20% (wt/vol) SDS ( sodium dodecyl sulphate) 0.5 ml 10 mg/ml carrier DNA (e.g., from herring sperm) 2.0 ml Sterile distiUed water 4.5 ml ii) Hybridization Pour off prehybridization mixture and replace with hybridization mixture, whic is the same except for the addition of radioactively labelled viral DNA (1 ng/ml hybridizatio mixture). Hybridization is allowed to. proceed overnight at 30°C in the perspex block or plastic bag. iii) Washing membranes Membrane filters are washed under conditions of high stringency. This i to remove all radioactive DNA probe except that which is attached specifically, by hydroge bonding, to identical viral DNA sequences that may be present within a sample, iv) Autoradiography 1. The membrane is blotted with filter paper, but not allowed to dry, and while still moist, is tape to a sheet of 3MM Whatman paper, then covered with cUng wrap. 2. This is applied to a suitable x-ray film (e.g., Kodak XR-5) in a dark-room and sealed in a autoradiography cassette with two intensifying screens (DuPont). 3. Autoradiography is aUowed to proceed at -80°C for 2.5-12 h. 4. Dark spots on the autoradiograph indicate the presence of HPV type. PROTOCOL FOR WARTS AND BIOPSIES Reagent preparation Prepare lysis buffer by adding 1 ml distilled water to lysis buffer powder and then mixing it with the enzyme powder in vial. Sample preparation 1. Rinse tissue 3 times in 500 μl collection buffer (as above for scrapes). 2. Cut tissue into -1 mm pieces. 3. Add to tissue 700 μl lysis buffer enzyme solution. 4. Leave at 37°C until tissue appears completely digested or overnight at 37°C. 5. Add 350 μl deproteinization reagent 1 and 350 μl deproteinization reagent 2. Mix vigorously. 6. Microfuge for 15 seconds and remove top layer into a fresh tube (discard lower phase). 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 three times 8. Add 700 μl of deproteinization reagent 2, mix and microfuge for 15 seconds 9. Remove top layer into a fresh tube and add 100 μl of extraction solution. Immediately add 1. ml of ice-cold absolute ethanol. Place at -20°C for 1 hour or -80°C for 15 minutes. 10. Microfuge for 10 minutes and then pour off ethanol carefully. Allow peUet (=DNA) to dry fo 15 minutes. 11. Resuspend DNA in 50 ml of TE and, if possible, determine DNA concentration at 260 n using a spectrophotometer. (1 O.D. 60 unit = 50 μg/ml.) Procedure for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 1. Add a volume of DNA solution that contains ~1 μg of DNA to 100 μl of PCR reaction mixture in an Eppendorf tube. 2. Place tube in water bath heated to 95-98°C. 3. After 10 min microfuge tube briefly (-5 seconds) to remove condensation. 4. Place tube in water bath preheated to 37°C. 5. After 2 min add 1 μl of DNA polymerase solution and continue 37°C incubation for 2 min. 6. Place tube back in 95-98°C water bath for 2 rnin. 7. Repeat steps 4-6 twenty five times. Detection of viral DNA produced by PCR procedure See as above for scrapes protocols. Standards and controls Standards: Pure viral DNA of HPV6, HPVI l, HPV16, HPV18 and HPV33 or oligonucleotides corresponding to at least the hybridizing target region of each HPV are added to the membrane i amounts of 125, 12.5, 1.25 and 0.125 pg for complete HPV or correspondingly less fo oligonucleotides. i Controls.' i) Neonatal foreskin DNA (detects the unlikely occurrence of any nonspecific hybridization to human skin DNA) in amounts of 10 ng, 50 ng, 100 ng and 2 μg is applied to each membrane. ii) Positive control: DNA from HPV6/11 and HPV16/18/33 infected samples. iii) Alu-repeated sequence DNA (to hybridize to the Alu probe) in amounts of 10 pg, 50 pg, 100 pg and 2 ng is appUed to each membrane. (Optional) Automation We have designed and constructed a working prototype machine for performing the PCR reaction automatically. Total Time for Test Result (After receipt of samples in lab.) Several hours-2 days. Results Obtained with the Test Results have indicated the importance of direct HPV detection in patient evaluation. For exampl many patients that had normal cytology of cervical cells were found to be infected with t carcinogenic varieties of HPV. This may reflect the fact that our test can detect infection at an earli stage, perhaps even before the virus has had a chance to cause a morphological change in the ce Moreover, the lesions associated with the potentially carcinogenic varieties of HPV are often fla rather than the large obvious condylamas caused by the more benign varieties, and are therefore n as easily seen in the cUnic. SPECIFIC EXPERIMENTS REPRESENTING EXAMPLES OF METHOD IN OPERATION Drawings are given in the figures in lieu of photographs as the photocopying process gives poor resolution. A. PCR amplification of pure HPV 16 viral DNA using normal Klenow. 1 ng HPV16/pBR322 was subjected to 20 rounds of: 95°C for 2 min (strand dissociation), then 37°C for 2 min (annealing), then 1 U Klenow enzyme added and 37°C incubation for 2 min. Half (50 μl) of the resulting mixture was electrophoresed on a 2% agarose gel and the result is shown in Figure 1. Amount = 2.5 x 100 ng ' = 250 ng. Region amplified = l/40th of total HPV16 sequence. Total amplification = 250 x 40 = 10,000 x. (i.e., efficiency of reaction was 60% for each cycle). B. PCR amplification of wart biopsy DNA with HPV16/33 test. The DNA of anal wart Gap289 was phenol/chloroform extracted and ethanol precipitated. 1 μg of DNA was then subjected to 23 rounds of amplification (each: 95°C for 2 min, then 37°C for 2 min, 1 U Klenow added and 37°C for 2 min). 40% (50μl) was electrophoresed on a 2% agarose gel. Ethidium bromide stained DNA is shown in Figure 2. The PCR sample and standards were spotted onto a membrane and hybridization performed overnight with 32 P-labelled HPV16/33 target oligonucleotide probe. Wash conditions were 22°C for 5 min, then 38°C for 10 min in 5 x SSPE/0.1% SDS. Result of autoradiography is shown in Figure 3. Note that amounts are for recombinant viral DNAs used, only a fraction of which represents amplified sequence, within which is the target hybridization region. C. PCR amplification of pure HPV 16 recombinant viral DNA using normal Klenow. 1 ng of HPV16/pBR322, 10 mM Tris.HCl, pH 7.6, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 50 mM NaCl, 500 ng of each of the HPV16/33 primers, 4 μl of each dNTP (50 mM stock). 23 rounds of: 98°C for 2 min, then 37°C for 2 min, add Klenow, then 37°C for 2 min. Electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel. Ethidium bromide stained gel is shown in Figure 4. Lanes 1 and 3 are DNA size markers, viz. pBR322 cut with Hpaϊl and SPP-1, respectively. A single DNA band of the expected size (-200 base pairs) can be seen in lane 2. To prove this Southern blotting was then performed on this gel, using for hybridization conditions: 5 x SSPE, 2% SDS, 0.5 ml BLOTTO, 0.5 ml of 10 mg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 5.5 ml distilled water. Prehybridization was for 1 h at 30°C and hybridization was overnight at 30°C in the above solution with -1 ng/ml of end-labelled target HPV 16/33 oligonucleotide probe. Washing was for 10 min at 38°C in 1 x SSPE, 0.1% SDS. Result in Figure 5, showing massive hybridization to a band at the expected position in lane 2 (i.e., at the same position as the band of stained DNA in Figure 4 lane 2). D. Biopsies of anal warts. Patient specimens: Gapl l9, Gap278, Km, Gap289, 1 1912 Conditions as descibed above in C. Figure 6 is an autoradiograph after radioactive probing: K and Gap289 were +ve, i.e., contained HPV 16. E. Southern blot of biopsies +ve for HPV16. This experiment shows that the HPV16/33 olig probe hybridizes to the correct restriction fragments in unamplified biopsies and pure viral DN also that there is no cross hybridization to other HPV types. Lane 1 - 8 μg Gap289 cut with Bam UPstl Lane 2 - blank Lane 3 - 100 ng HPV33 cut with BgllVPstl Lane 4 - 100 ng HPV16 cut with BamRl/Pstl Lane 5 - 100 ng HPV18 cut with EcoRlfKbal Lane 6 - 100 ng HPV 11 cut with BamHUPstl Lane 7 - 100 ng HPV6 cut with EcoRl/PstI The autoradiograph (shown diagramatically in Figure 7) shows hybridization of radioactiv HPV16/33 oligo probe to HPV16 in lane 4 and to HPV33 in lane 3. No hybridization occurred t HPVs 6, 11 and 18 in lanes 7, 6 and 5, respectively, showing that the probe is specific for HPV 16 and 33. Hybridization in lane 1 shows that specimen Gap289 contained HPV 16. F. Cervical scrapes - HPV16I33 PCR amplification. This shows the technique can detect specific HPV in scrape specimens. Scrapes: Pt and Mo. -10,000 cells were suspended in 35 μl water heated to 98°C for 10 min, 65 μl PCR mixture added and normal protocol followed with 30 round of amplification using normal Klenow. Samples were dotted onto membranes and probed wit radioactive oligo probe. Result (Figure 8): Pt scrape was +ve with HPV16/33 probe, Mo was -ve. G. Southern blot of scrape. This was to confirm that Pt scrape had given real amplification, (i.e., is proof of validity of result in H.) Gel used was 1.5% agarose. In Fig. 7: Lane 1 - 25 μl Pt PCR digested with Bgll/BamHl in PCR buffer. Lane 2 - 40 ng of HPV33 insert. Lane 3 - 40 ng of HPV 16 insert. Lane 4 - 0.5 μg of pBR322 digested with Hpall. Lane 5 - Bacteriophage λ digested with Hindlll. Figure 9 depicts the stained gel result. Figure 10 shows the result of radioactive target oligo probing. Figure 1 1 shows the result of alkaline phosphatase target oligo probing. A dark band of hybridization can be seen at the correct position in lane 1 for the patient specimen's PCR products and bands in lanes 2 and 3 corresponding to the position of the whole virus. This confirms the presence of HPV 16 in the cervical scrape. The following examples (H-J) show additional positive results with the technique used on various biopsies and scrapes. H. Various scrapes and anogenital wart biopsies - HPV6111 PCR. In Figures 12 and 13: Lane 1 - 0.4 μg pBR322 cut with Hpall. Lane 2 - 0.9 μg F9885 wart DNA, HPV6/11 oligos only. Lane 3 - 1 μg Ow wart DNA, HPV6/11 and HPV16/33 oligos. Lane 4 - 3 μl cells from Fl 1912 cervical scrape, HPV6/11 oligos only. Lane 5 - 3 μl cells from F11912 vaginal scrape, HPV6/11 oligos only. Lane 6 - 5 μl ceUs from F11912 rectal scrape, HPV6/11 oligos only. 30 rounds were performed under normal protocol conditions. 50 μl of each PCR mixture was loaded on a 12% rton-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The stained gel is shown in Figure 12. (The band at -34 bp is an artifact associated with the HPV6/11 primers.) This membrane was electroblotted at 20V/100 A for 1 h and probed with the radioactive HPV6/11 oligo probe. Result of 2 h exposure to x-ray film is shown in Figure 13. Bands in lanes 4 and 5 indicate that cervical and vaginal, but not rectal cells from this patient were infected with HPV6/11. I. Warts - HPV6/11 PCR. Results are shown in Figure 14: Lane 1 - pBR322 cut with Hpall Lane 2 - 750 ng of F8408 labial wart Lane 3 - 1 μg Gap252 anal wart Lane 4 - 860 ng Tr anal wart Lane 5 - 750 ng Bi anal wart (Conditions: 25 rounds, HPV6/11 primers only; 50 μl of each PCR mix run on gel.) J. Cervical warts - HPV6I11 and HPV16/33 primers. 50μl run on 12% polyacrylamide gel; results are shown in Figure 15. Lane 1 - pBR322 cut with Hpall Lane 2 - -500 ng Hn biopsy Lane 3 - -500 ng Hs biopsy Lane 4 - -500 ng Ls biopsy K. Cervical scrapes - HPV6I11 and HPV16/33. This example shows that primers for different HPVs can be used together in the same reaction mixture to generate amplification products unique for each HPV type. Results are shown in Figure 16. Lane 1 - pBR322 cut with Hpall. Lane 2 - 1 ng of HPV6/pAT153 and 1 ng of HPV16/pBR322; HPV6/11 and HPV16/33 primers. Lane 3 - 3 μl cells of CSC019 scrape, HPV6/11 and HPV16/33 primers. Lane 4 - 3 μl cells of CSC328 scrape, HPV6/11 primers. Lane 5 - 3 μl cells of Pt scrape, HPV6/11 primers. (Conditions: 25 rounds, normal protocol conditions.) In lane 2 of Figure 16 one can see the 200 b HPV16/33 amplification product (faint) and the 120 bp HPV6/11 product (darker). Lanes 3-5 wer negative (only primer bands seen), i.e., did not contain HPV6/11. L. Scrapes and biopsies - HPV16I33 PCR. This experiment is a comparison of radioactive an nonradioactive probing for the detection of HPVs by the PCR method. In Fig. 12: Lane 1 - pBR322 cut with Hpall Lane 2 - Blank Lane 3 - HPV6/pAT153 and HPV16/pBR322 PCR from I Lane 4 - 15 μl of Km PCR Lane 5 - 15 μl of Gap289 PCR Lane 6 - 15 μl Pt scrape PCR Gel (12% polyacrylamide) was run and stained (Figure 17), then electroblotted and probed wit alkaline phosphatase (Figure 18), and radioactive (Figure 19) HPV16/33 oligo probe. In Figure 1 the -200 bp band indicative of HPV 16/33 can be seen in lanes 6, 5, 4, and 3 and the 120 b HPV6/1 1 band can be seen in lane 3. In Figure 18 a single band of hybridization to the -200 b HPV16/33 amplification products can be seen in each of lanes 6-3. Figure 19 shows the result of 1.5 h exposure to the x-ray film: hybridization can be seen to the -200 bp HPV 16/33 amplificatio products. Figure 20 is a dot blot probed with radioactive target oligo probe (Right: diagram o position of samples on dot blot; Left: result of hybridization). M. Heat stable polymerase - HPV6 PCR. 1 ng HPV6/pAT153, 2 units of Thermus aquaticus DN polymerase added initially and after every 10 rounds for 40 rounds. The conditions used were exactly as specified in the New England Biolabs protocol. The result (Figure 21) demonstrates that the heat stable polymerase is also able to produce the desired amplification products. In this figure: Lane 1 - p R322/Hpall Lane 2 - 40 μl of HPV6/pAT153 PCR N. Heat stable polymerase - HPV 16 and biopsy. After amplification HPV16/pBR322 cut with H/>zfI should give 2 fragments of 52 bp and 142 bp. 5 ng ΗPV33/plink and 1 μg Gap289 were subjected to 40 rounds with heat stable polymerase (lanes 4 and 5 in Figure 22). The conditions used were: 50 mM Tris.HCl, pH 8.8 at 25°C, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 10 mM (NH 4 ) 2 S0 4 , 10 μl DSMO, 500 ng of each HPV 16/33 primer, 4 μl of each dNTP (50 mM stock), and 50 μl liquid paraffin. 4 U DNA polymerase was added at the start. Incubation was in 93°C incubator for 30 s, then 50°C for 30 s, then 63°C for 45 s. In Figure 22: Lane 1 - pBR322/Hpall Lane 2 - HPV16/pBR322 cut with Hinfl (20μl PCR + 2 μl 10 x Hin l buffer + 1 μl enzyme + 6 μl dH 2 0) Lane 3 - 20 μl of HPV16/pBR322 PCR Lane 4 - 20 μl of HPV33/plink PCR Lane 5 - 20 μl ofGap289 O. Diluted biopsy, 100 PCR rounds using heat stable polymerase. Wart biopsy Gap289 (1 μg/μl) was diluted 1:10 3 , 1:10 6 and I:10 9 and 100 rounds of amplification were performed using 1 μl of each dilution and 4 U of heat stable DNA polymerase initially, then an additional 2 U added after 50 rounds. Other biopsies and scrapes were subjected to 50 rounds only. Conditions were as in example P. The result shows the extreme sensitivity of the test: the best results with this excessive number of rounds of amplification were obtained with the most dilute sample. Figure 23 shows the ethidium bromide stained DNA gel. The gel was electroblotted and probed with radioactively labelled HPV6/1 l*(Figure 24) and HPV 16/33 (Figure 25) target oligo probe. The result shows the extreme specificity of the test. In Fig. 15 (b) it can be seen that only in lane 5 and 6 where HPV6/11 primers were used was there hybridization to a 120 bp band, the size of the HPV6/11 amplification product. Absolutely no hybridization was seen in the lanes where samples had been amplified using only HPV16/33 primers. In Fig. 15 (c) hybridization to the -200 bp band of HP VI 6/33 amplification products can be seen for the biopsy (lanes 2-4) and the anal scrape (lane 5). In Figures 23, 24 and 25 the lanes are as follows: Lane 1 - pBR322 cut with Hpall Lane 2 - Gap289 (1:10 3 ) PCR (HPV16/33 primers only) Lane 3 - Gap289 (l:10 6 ) PCR ( HPV16/33 primers only) Lane 4 - Gap289 (1:10 9 ) PCR ( HPV16/33 primers only) Lane 5 - Anal scrape Gap402 PCR (HPV6/11 and HP V16/33 primers) Lane 6 - Bs wart PCR (HPV6/11 and HPV16/33 primers) Lane 7 - Cervical scrape 11912 ( HPV 16/33 primers only) Lane 8 - Vaginal scrape 11912 ( HPV16/33 primers only) P. Hybridization of target oligo probe to unamplified HPV16, HPV33 and biopsies. Ordinary restricted HPVs and biopsies were run on a gel and stained (Figure 26), then probed with HPV 16/33 target oligo probe. Result is shown in Figure 27, where hybridization can be seen in each case (lanes 2-5) and to correct restriction fragment in the case of recombinant viral DNA. Six days of exposure to x-ray film were required for this unamplified DNA. In Figures 26 and 27: Lane 1 - Bacteriophage λ cut with H dIII/EcoRI Lane 2 - 5 μg Bs wart DNA, Bgll /BamHl Lane 3 - 5 μg Gap289, Bglll/BamHl Lane 4 - HPV16/pBR322, Bamrll Lane 5 - HPV33/plink, Bgll Lane 6 - SPP-1 Q. Dot blots showing hybridization ofHPV16!33 alkaline phosphatase oligo probe to HPV16 are shown in Figure 28. R. HPV 18 PCR. 30 rounds with normal Klenow DNA polymerase Result is shown in Figu 29, where the lanes are: Lane 1 - HPV 16 insert PCR products; HPV 16/33 primers. Lane 2 - HPV 18 insert PCR products; HPV 18 primers used. The HPV 18 PCR products of -100 bp can be seen in lane 2. In lane 1 are the HPV 16 PC products of -200 bp.

Claims: THE CLAIMS 1. A method of detection of carcinogenic human papiUomavirus HPV16 and/or HPV18 which comprises (a) applying a polymerase chain reaction technique to a sample of human cervical tissue cells so as to amplify the amount of a selected characteristic DNA portion of any such carcinogenic HPV present comprising the steps of: (i) heating to dissociate the DNA strands, (ii) adding oligonucleotide primers defining each end of said characteristic DNA portion, (iii) cooling to allow the primers to anneal to the dissociated DNA strands, (iv) adding a DNA polymerase, (v) at the cooled temperature allowing formation of DNA complementary to each strand of said characteristic DNA portion, (vi) heating to dissociation temperature, and repeating steps (iii) to (vi), optionally omitting step (iv) where a heat stable DNA polymerase is used. (b) detecting the presence/absence in the amplified sample of said characteristic DNA portion characteristic of HP VI 6 or HP VI 8. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pair of primers defining the selected characteristic DNA portion are: (i) for HPV16 TGAGGTATATGACITTGCITTT and AATTAATCCACATAAT (ii) for HPV 18 TGTCATAACCTTGAATGTCT and AAATGTATAGATTTTTATTC 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the DNA polymerase is a polymerase stable at the dissociation temperature. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the DNA polymerase is a thermophilic polymerase from Thermus aquaticus. 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the presence/absence of said characteristic DN portion is detected by separating the components of the amplified sample on a gel an detecting the presence/absence of a DNA having the same number of nucleotides as sai characteristic DNA portion. 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein in order to detect the presence/absence of sai characteristic DNA portion, there is added a labelled oligonucleotide hybridization prob corresponding to a region of said characteristic DNA portion. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the oligonucleotide probe is o (i) for HPVlό GTGAGTATAGACATTAT (ii) for HPV 18 GATTTATTTGTGGTGTATAGA 8. A method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the oligonucleotide probe is labelled with a 32 P radioactive label, or with alkaline phosphatase enzyme label. 9. A primer composition which comprises (i) for HPV 16 a mixture of TGAGGTATATGACITTGCI ΓT and AATTAATCCACATAAT or (ii) for HPV18 a mixture of TGTCATAACCTTGAATGTCT and AAATGTATAGATTTTTATTC 10. A labelled oligonucleotide probe wherein the oligonucleotide is (i) for HPV l ό GTGAGTATAGACATTAT or (ii) for HPV 18 GATTTATTTGTGGTGTATAGA.

Inventors: MORRIS BRIAN JAMES, NIGHTINGALE BRIAN, MORRIS, BRIAN, JAMES, NIGHTINGALE, BRIAN
Applicants: UNIV SYDNEY, THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C12Q1
IPC codes: C12N15, C12Q1, C12R1