TITLE: Nested VP1 PCR and Nanopore Sequencing from Stool and ES Samples v1.11
AUTHORS: Alex   Shaw, Manasi  Majumdar, Catherine  Troman, Joyce  Akello, Javier Martin, Nick  Grassly

[DESCRIPTION]
This protocol is updated from the protocol described in the paper "Rapid and sensitive direct detection and identification of poliovirus from stool and environmental surveillance samples using nanopore sequencing" by Shaw et al  in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (2020), DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00920-20. 

The protocol aims to amplify the VP1 region of poliovirus through a nested PCR using panEV primers followed by amplification of the VP1 sequence using the Q8/Y7 primer set. We advise the use of barcoded primers where possible as this greatly simplifies the subsequent library preparation process. Additional steps have however been included in the case that the second PCR step is performed either with standard Q8/Y7 primers or using Q8/Y7 with the barcode adaptors (BCA) attached. Primer sequences for the panEV primers, Q8/Y7 primers and modified Q8/Y7 primers are found in Dataset S1 of the publication. 

Sequencing of the panEV product is also possible through the removal of the VP1 nested PCR steps and the preparation of the panEV product for sequencing. 

Version updates:
v1.1 – Updated to LSK-109
v1.2 – Minor formatting edits
v1.3 – Streamlining and minor alterations
v1.4 – Written inclusion of negative control in PCR 
v1.5 – Updated to dreamtaq and Y7R primers
v1.6 – Updated MinKNOW instructions & minor edits
v1.7 – Changed back to Y7 primers
v1.10 – Updated to LSK-110, removed cleaning and quantification prior to pooling, updated taq volume in rtPCR, altered nested VP1 to use neat panEV product.
V1.11 – Updated RNA extraction to include Proteinase K, removed DNA CS addition, added pooling of Y7/Q8 primers.

[BEFORE_START]
This protocol describes the amplification of the VP1 sequence, sample barcoding and library preparation. We anticipate users will have performed an RNA extraction prior to this protocol to extract Poliovirus RNA. We recommend either the Roche High Pure Viral RNA Kit (with added proteinase K), QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit or the MagMAX Viral RNA Isolation Kit for this process as fragmentation of the RNA will prevent successful amplification during the panEV PCR. 

PanEV primers

For the initial RT-PCR, uses the PanEV primers 5’NTR [TGGCGGAACCGACTACTTTGGGTG] and Cre [TCAATACGGTGTTTGCTCTTGAACTG] (Arita et al, 2015)

For nOPV2 detection a second Reverse primer, nOPV2-R, should be mixed with Cre in equal quantities to make up a 10 µM working solution.
nOPV2-R [TCGATACGGTGCTTGGATTTAAATTG]

Barcoded VP1 Primers 

For high throughout sequencing in 96 well plates we recommend the purchase and assembly of 96-well primer plate with 10 µM of barcoded Y7 primer and 10 µM of barcoded Q8 primer in each well.
Each well contains Q8 and Y7 primers with the same unique barcode e.g A1 = Y7 with barcode 1 and Q8 with barcode 1, A2 = Y7 with barcode 2 and Q8 with barcode 2, etc.
Primer structure:
Forward primer: Y7_VP1_BC#GGTGCTG########################TTAACCTGGGTTTGTGTCAGCCTGTAATGA

Reverse Primer: Q8_VP1_BC#
GGTGCTG########################TTAACCTAAGAGGTCTCTRTTCCACAT

Barcode sequences as Nanopore ligation sequencing barcodes and as shown in Shaw et al, 2020. 

[GUIDELINES]
Steps 29 onwards are based on protocols from Oxford Nanopore Technologies. 

[STEPS]
SECTION: Nested PCR First Round (PanEV)
1. Nested PCR First Round (panEV primers):
Prepare a Master mix using reaction volumes as detailed below, excluding forward primer and the RNA:

Forward Primer (5'NTR):   [TGGCGGAACCGACTACTTTGGGTG] (Arita et al. 2015)
Reverse Primer (Cre):   [TCAATACGGTGTTTGCTCTTGAACTG] (Arita et al. 2015)

NB. For the detection of nOPV2, a second Reverse primer, nOPV2-R, should be mixed with Cre in equal quantities to make up a 10 µM working solution.

nOPV2-R: [TCGATACGGTGCTTGGATTTAAATTG]


 

SECTION: Nested PCR First Round (PanEV)
2. Briefly vortex and centrifuge down. Add 19 µL of master mix to each PCR tube and 5 µL of eluted RNA.
SECTION: Nested PCR First Round (PanEV)
3. Incubate at 50 °C for 30 minutes.
SECTION: Nested PCR First Round (PanEV)
4. Add 1 µL of the forward primer to the tubes.
SECTION: Nested PCR First Round (PanEV)
5. Amplify using the following cycling conditions:  
 




SECTION: Nested PCR Round 2 (VP1)
6. VP1 amplification is performed using the Q8/Y7 primers. These can be modified to remove library preperation steps as shown in Shaw et al  2020, DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00920-20. The basic PCR uses the primers

Forward Primer (Y7): GGGTTTGTGTCAGCCTGTAATGA (Kilpatrick et al. 2011)
Reverse Primer (Q8): AAGAGGTCTCTRTTCCACAT (Yang et al. 1992)

These can be replaced with either Q8/Y7 primers with barcodes attached (sequences in Dataset_S1 of Shaw et al  2020). We recommend premixing these primers in a 96 well plate, with 10 µM forward primer and 10 µM of reverse primer in each well.  

Prepare a Master mix using reaction volumes as detailed below, excluding the diluted PCR product (and primers if these are barcoded): 

 
* Previous protocol editions have used a 5 µL of a 1 in 20 dilution of the PCR product (5 µL in 100 µL nuclease free water); we find that 2 µL of the neat product works as well, if not better, and reduces the potential for contamination.
SECTION: Nested PCR Round 2 (VP1)
7. Briefly vortex and centrifuge down the master mix and aliquot 20 µL into each PCR tube (or 18 µL if using barcoded primers).
SECTION: Nested PCR Round 2 (VP1)
8. Add 2 µL of  premixed forward and reverse primers if necessary (i.e. if using barcoded VP1 primers).
SECTION: Nested PCR Round 2 (VP1)
9. Add 2 µL of PCR product.
SECTION: Nested PCR Round 2 (VP1)
10. Amplify using the following cycling conditions:  


 


SECTION: PCR Steps
11. PCR confirmation: Check a representative set of samples to confirm that the PCR has been successful.
SECTION: PCR Steps
12. AMPure bead purification using 15 µL (1 : 0.6 ratio) of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 25 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  23 µL of eluate. 

SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
13. For Standard Primers- Complete all steps 
For Barcoded primers- Skip to Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
14. Standardise DNA:
Quantify 1 µL of purified PCR product using a Qubit fluorometer 
Transfer 1 μg of DNA into a clean PCR tube.
Adjust the volume to 23 μL with nuclease-free water.
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
15. End-prep & dA-tailing:
Prepare the following reaction mix:

 

SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
16. Mix gently by flicking, and spin down.
 

SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
17. Incubate for 5 minutes at 20 °C and 5 minutes at 65 °C
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
18. AMPure bead purification using 30 µL (1 : 1 ratio) of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 20 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  16 µL of eluate. 
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
19. Quantify 1 µL of end-prepped DNA using a Qubit fluorometer - recovery aim > 700 ng.
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
20. Ligation of Barcode Adapter 
Add the reagents in the order given below:
15 µL End prep DNA
10 µL Barcode Adapter
25 µL Blunt/TA Ligase Master Mix 
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
21. Mix gently by flicking the tube, and spin down. 
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
22. Incubate the reaction for 10 minutes at room temperature.
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
23. AMPure bead purification using 20 µL (1 : 0.4 ratio) of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 25 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  15 µL of eluate. 
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
24. Standardise the DNA: 
Quantify 1 µL of the adapted DNA using a Qubit fluorometer 
Transfer 100 fmol of DNA into a clean PCR tube
Adjust the volume to 24 μL with nuclease-free water.
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
25. Barcoding PCR :
Set up a barcoding PCR reaction as follows for each sample:
1 µL PCR Barcode
24 µL 100 fmol PCR Product
25 µL LongAmp Taq 2x master mix  
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
26. Mix gently by flicking the tube, and spin down. 
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
27. Amplify using the following cycling conditions:  
 
CYCLE STEP TEMP (°C) TIME1 Initial Denaturation 94 2 minutes35 Denaturation 94 15 seconds Annealing 55 30 seconds Extension 65 2 minutes1 Final Extension 65 10 minutes - Hold 10 -
 
* Extension time for VP1 sequencing
SECTION: Library Preperation for the ONT MinION: Tailing and barcoding
28. AMPure bead purification using 40 µL (1 : 0.8 ratio) of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 25 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  23 µL of eluate. 
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
29. Sample Pooling for standard VP1 primers:
Quantify 1 µL of the barcoded DNA using a Qubit fluorometer
Prepare 1 µg of pooled barcoded DNA in 47 µl Nuclease-free water. 

Sample Pooling for barcoded VP1 primers:
To avoid cleaning and quantification of samples it is also possible to perform equi-volume pooling. We typically perform this for routine testing of AFP stool samples where many will be negative. Simply pool 2 µl of every sample and perform step 30.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
30. Optional- If pool volume is >47 µL, concentrate an AMPure bead purification using a 1:1 ratio of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 50 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  47 µL of eluate. 
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
31. End-prep and dA-tailing: 
Add the following reagents in a 0.2 mL PCR tube.
47 µL 1 µg DNA
3.5 µL NEBNext FFPE DNA Repair Buffer
2 µL NEBNext FFPE DNA Repair Mix
3.5 µL Ultra II End-prep reaction buffer
3 µL Ultra II End-prep enzyme mix
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
32. Mix gently by flicking the tube, and spin down
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
33. Incubate for 5 minutes at 20 °C and 5 minutes at 65 °C.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
34. Place on ice for 30 seconds.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
35. Transfer sample to a 1.5 mL Eppendorf DNA LoBind tube.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
36. AMPure bead purification using 60 µL (1 : 1 ratio) of resuspended AMPure XP beads and elute in 61 µL nuclease-free water, retaining  60 µL of eluate in a clean 1.5 mL Eppendorf DNA LoBind tube.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
37. Adaptor ligation:
Thaw and prepare the kit reagents as follows:
Spin down and thaw Adapter Mix (AMX-F) on ice 
Spin down T4 Ligase from NEBNext Quick Ligation Module (E6056) on ice
Thaw Ligation Buffer (LNB) at room temperature, spin down, mix by pipetting. Place on ice. 
Thaw Elution Buffer (EB) at room temperature, mix by vortexing, spin down. Place on ice. 
Thaw one tube of S Fragment Buffer (SFB)* for VP1 at room temperature, mix by vortexing, spin down and place on ice.

*For panEV sequencing, use L Fragment Buffer (LFB)
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
38. Prepare the following reaction mix in a 1.5 mL Eppendorf DNA LoBind tube:
60 µL DNA
25 µL Ligation Buffer (LNB)
10 µL NEBNext Quick T4 DNA Ligase
5 µL Adapter Mix (AMX-F)
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
39. Mix gently by flicking the tube, and spin down. 
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
40. Incubate the reaction for 10 minutes at room temperature.
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
41. AMPure XP cleanup:
Prepare the AMPure XP beads for use; resuspend by vortexing. 
Add 40 µL of resuspended AMPure XP beads to the adapter ligation reaction from the previous step and mix by pipetting.
Incubate on a rotator for 5 minutes at room temperature.
Place on magnetic rack, allow beads to pellet and pipette off supernatant.
Add 250 μL of the LFB/SFB to the beads.
Close the tube lid and resuspend the beads by flicking the tube.
Return the tube to the magnetic rack, allow beads to pellet and pipette off the supernatant.
Add 250 μL of the LFB/SFB to the beads.
Close the tube lid and resuspend the beads by flicking the tube.
Return the tube to the magnetic rack, allow beads to pellet and pipette off the supernatant.
Spin down the tube and place back on the magnet.
Pipette off residual supernatant and briefly air dry.
Remove the tube from the magnetic rack and resuspend pellet in 15 µl Elution Buffer.
Incubate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Pellet beads on magnet until the eluate is clear and colourless.
Remove and retain the eluate which contains the DNA library in a clean 1.5 mL Eppendorf DNA LoBind tube
SECTION: Library Preparation for the ONT MinION: Pooling and adapting
42. Store the library on ice until ready to load into a nanopore flow cell. 
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
43. Thaw the Sequencing Buffer (SQB), Loading Beads (LB), Flush Tether (FLT) and one tube of Flush Buffer (FLB) at room temperature before placing the tubes on ice as soon as thawing is complete.

Mix the Sequencing Buffer (SQB) and Flush Buffer (FLB) tubes by vortexing, spin down and return to ice.
Spin down the Flush Tether (FLT) tube, mix by pipetting, and return to ice.

56. 
56. 
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
45. Prepare the flow cell priming mix: add 30 µL of thawed and mixed Flush Tether (FLT) directly to the tube of thawed and mixed Flush Buffer (FLB) and mix by pipetting up and down.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
52. Start the sequencing run
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
44. Open the lid of the nanopore sequencing device and slide the flow cell's priming port cover clockwise so that the priming port is visible. After opening the priming port, check for small bubble under the cover. Draw back a small volume to remove any bubble (a few µLs). Visually check that there is continuous buffer from the priming port across the sensor array.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
46. Load 800 µL of the priming mix into the flow cell via the priming port, avoiding the introduction of air bubbles. Wait for 5 minutes.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
47. Thoroughly mix the contents of the LB tube by pipetting.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
48. In a new tube, prepare the library for loading as follows:

 

SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
49. Complete the flow cell priming:
Gently lift the SpotON sample port cover to make the SpotON sample port accessible.
Load 200 µL of the priming mix into the flow cell via the priming port (not the SpotON sample port), avoiding the introduction of air bubbles.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
50. Mix the prepared library gently by pipetting up and down just prior to loading.
Add 75 μl of sample to the flow cell via the SpotON sample port in a dropwise fashion. Ensure each drop flows into the port before adding the next.
SECTION: Priming and loading the SpotON Flow Cell
51. Gently replace the SpotON sample port cover, making sure the bung enters the SpotON port, close the priming port and replace the MinION lid.