1South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa;
2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco;
3University Antwerp
Emilyn C Conceição: Conception, design, evaluation and validation of the protocol; acquisition of data; protocol writing and graphic visualization edition.;
Felicia Wells: Validation, acquisition of data, protocol edition and final revision.;
Jennifer Williams: Acquisition of data, protocol edition and final revision.
Nabila Ismail: Protocol edition and final revision.
john.metcalfe: Supervision, resources (reagents, materials, and equipment) used in the protocol, and approval of the submitted version.
Annelies van Rie: Design, supervision, resources (reagents, materials, and equipment) used in the protocol, and approval of the submitted version.
Robin Mark Warren: Design, supervision, resources (reagents, materials, and equipment) used in the protocol, and approval of the submitted version.
Protocol Citation: Emilyn C Conceição, Felicia Wells, Jennifer Williams, Nabila Ismail, john.metcalfe, Annelies van Rie, Robin Mark Warren 2024. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA Extraction Using InstaGene Matrix and High Speed Homogenizer from Clinical Primary Culture. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvr8rwzlmk/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: July 25, 2024
Last Modified: October 28, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 104082
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacteria, DNA extraction, DNA isolation, Whole genome sequencing, Next generation sequencing, Liquid culture, MGIT, Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube, Instagene matrix, Fastprep, DNA yield, Sequencing, Molecular Biology, Clinical Primary Culture, High speed homogenizer
Funders Acknowledgements:
FWO TBM (Applied Biomedical Research with a Primary Social finality)
Grant ID: T001018N
FWO Odysseus
Grant ID: G0F8316N
Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking and its members as well as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - GenPath Africa
Grant ID: GA N° 101103171
NIH (TS Eliot)
Grant ID: R01AI153213
Disclaimer
This work was independently developed and is not affiliated with BD (MGIT), Bio-Rad (InstaGne Matrix), MP Biomedicals (FastPrep) or Benchmark Scientific (BeadBlaster 24). The methods are based on a comprehensive literature review, comparative analysis, and optimization developed at the TB Genomics research group at Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa as part of the TORCH, GenPath and TS Eliot consortiums.
Abstract
The conventional method for extracting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA, which involves the use of Cetyltrimethylammonium-bromide (CTAB) (Van Embden, 1993), is both labor-intensive and challenging to implement in routine diagnostic laboratory workflows. Shea et al. (2017) introduced an alternative approach for DNA extraction from clinical primary cultures (CPC) intended for Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS). This alternative method utilizes the InstaGene Matrix (IGM) (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA) which was modified and included the use of high-speed homogenization (HSH) through bead-beating such as FastPrep (FP) to improve efficiency and DNA yield.
IGM is an optimized Chelex-100 resin designed to effectively bind metal ions such as Mg2+, which serves as essential cofactors in enzymatic reactions. IGM comprises 6% w/v Chelex chelating resin, incorporated during the 'pre-incubation' phase (at 56 °C for 30 minutes) to aid in the gentle disruption of plasma membranes and the disintegration of cell clumps, a task that cannot be accomplished solely with Chelex-100 chelating resin (Kang et al., 2018).
In the context of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques such as WGS or targeted NGS (tNGS), it is essential to incorporate a pre-treatment step before DNA extraction when working with CPC samples. This pre-treatment step is necessary to remove any potential contaminants that might be present in CPC samples that could adversely affect downstream sequencing analyses. For example, sequencing more of the contaminants' genomes than the target genome (WGS) or genes (tNGS) of M. tuberculosis. Initially, the IGM was primarily designed for solid culture sample use; thus, genomic DNA could be obtained from M. tuberculosis cultured on solid media such as 7H11 or Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ), as well as from liquid media such as 7H9, which includes the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD) media. This protocol describes the use of IGM/HSH for solid or liquid cultures and for WGS and/or tNGS applications as per Figure 1.
Figure 1. Workflow for DNA extraction from clinical primary cultures (CPC) for targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS) or Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS).
Image Attribution
Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical primary-MGIT culture (CPC) image captured by Emilyn Costa Conceição within the Stellenbosch University Biosafety-level 3 (BSL3) facility, Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town.
Guidelines
Scope
This protocol describes the workflow and procedures to be followed when extracting genomic DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultured in liquid media or on solid media using the InstaGeneTM Matrix (IGM) commercial kit method in combination with bead beating using a High-Speed Homogenizer (HSH).
Risk Management
Risks involved when performing the procedure described in this protocol include working with infectious Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) bacteria and working with harmful chemicals. To avoid or reduce these risks, in the BSL3 facility, correct personal protective equipment (PPE) must be donned. This includes gloves, shoe covers, oversleeves, a lab coat, and a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) mask. Furthermore, cultures are processed in a Level II laminar flow hood, which is serviced bi-annually, to ensure the safety of the person performing the extraction and the laboratory as a whole, while preventing contamination of the samples. Before the MTBC samples are removed from the BSL3, cultures on solid samples are heat-inactivated at 80°C for 2 h and cultures in liquid media for 1 h at 80°C. Outside the BSL3, all disposable materials used during the DNA extraction are disposed of in a hazardous waste drum. Laboratory coats, surgical gloves and closed shoes are to be always worn in the laboratory. The IGM product contains no substances that are health hazardous at their given concentrations.
Materials
1) IF PERFORMING DNA EXTRACTION FOR WGS AND tNGS
1.1) Equipments
Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC).
Incubator (heating block) raging from 65 °C to 100 °C.
Incubator 80 °C (ideally an oven incubator inside BSL3).
Centrifuge (for 15 mL tubes).
Microcentrifuge (for 1.5 or 2 mL tubes).
Vortex.
Pipettes (P1000, P200, P100 and P10).
Qubit Fluorometer instrument.
Nanodrop spectrophotometer instrument.
High-Speed Homogenizer (FastPep or BeadBlaster).
Magnetic bead separation rack (DynaMag‱-2 Magnet).
Equipment
FastPrep-24™ Classic bead beating grinder and lysis system
The FastPrep-24™ Classic Instrument is a high-speed benchtop homogenizer offering the ultimate in speed and performance for the lysis of biological samples. Simultaneous homogenization of up to 24 samples takes place within 40 seconds.
The BeadBlaster™ 24 completely lyses, grinds and homogenizes a broad variety of biological samples. Even the most difficult and resistant samples are fully homogenized, often in 35 seconds or less.
SPECIFICATIONS
1.2) Consumables
M. tuberculosis cultures on 7H11 plates, LJ or 7H9 media (including MGIT media).
2) IF PERFORMING DNA EXTRACTION FOR WGS ONLY (ADITIONAL MATERIAL IF VISIBLE CONTAMINATION)
Note
If an MGIT culture is positive for M. tuberculosis and shows signs of contamination (such as media turbidity). Treating the contaminated MIGIT culture with 1X DNAse Buffer and the DNAse I enzyme is advisable.
2.1) Additional Equipment
1. 37 °C incubator.
2.2) Additional Consumables
DNAse I enzyme 150 units/sample (10 µL/sample) (Merk, D5025 15-K).
Firstly, prepare 100 mL of 10x DNAse buffer (100 mM Tris-HCL pH 7.5, 25 mM MgCl2, 5 mM CaCl2). To a glass bottle, add:
1. 10 mL 1M Tris-HCL pH 7.5 (autoclaved or filtered).
Note
1) To prepare a stock of 200 mL 1M Tris-HCL 7.5, first, calculate the molarity. For the current product number 93363-50G:
g = moles x molecular weight (MW)
g = 1 mol x 157.60 (g/mol)
g = 157.60
2) In a 200 ml glass bottle, add 157.6 g of Tris-HCL and 100 mL of ddH2O. Mix until dissolved. Top up the final volume to 200 mLwhile adjusting the 7.5 (This solution will be 1M Tris-HCL 7.5).
3) Autoclave or filter the solution.
2. 2.5 mL 1M MgCl2 (autoclaved or filtered) (Bioultra, 63069-100ML).
3. 0.5 mL 1M CaCl2 (autoclaved or filtered) (Bioultra, 21115-100ML).
4. 87 mL ddH2O.
Autoclave and filter.
Dilute from 10x DNAse buffer to 1x DNAse buffer.
To have a final volume of 100 mL 1x DNAse buffer, for example:
Note
Use the following calculation:
C1 x C2 = V1 x V2
10X x 1X = V1 mL x 100 mL
V1 = 10 mL
Interpretation: Add 10 mL of 10x DNAse buffer in 90 mL of ddH2O to have a final dilution of 1x DNAse buffer.
2.3.2) DNAse I enzyme elution and dilution
The initial lyophilized DNAse 1 powder is 15,000 Units (U) or 15K U.
To prepare a final concentration of 15U/µL, resuspend the lyophilized DNAse 1 powder with 1000 µL of ddH2O (MilliQ water).
Dissolv by vortexing (00:00:05) to ensure DNAse 1 powder is properly dissolved.
Make aliquots of 150 µLin 0.5 µL PCR tubes and store them at -20 °C.
Note
Aliquots are made to minimize the number of freezing and thawing cycles of the DNAse I enzyme which reduces the enzyme activity.
Safety warnings
To prevent contamination during the DNA extraction, exercise caution when handling the InstaGene Matrix reagent. It is recommended to aliquot the required amount of reagent for each sample batch to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Before start
Preparation and Quality Control
Before initiating the experiment, verify that the CPC has undergone successful quality control testing (smear microscopy or antigen testing kit). Inspect all consumables and equipment for proper function. Prepare necessary reagents and clearly label sample tubes with appropriate identifiers.
Critical Procedure Steps
Bead Preparation: Introduce three 1 or 2 mm beads into each 1.5 or 2 mL low-binding screw-cap tube and sterilize through autoclaving.
Sample Handling: Remove the IGM reagent from refrigeration (4 °C) and allow it to reach Room temperature for atleast 00:30:00 . Subsequently, homogenize the sample using a magnetic mixer as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Reagent Preparation: If utilizing 1X DNAse Buffer, prepare the reagent in advance.
METHODS
METHODS
Prepare cultured samples, reagents, and review the equipment and consumable list before beginning the DNA extraction process.
Note
The method includes the following five sections:
1) Mycobacterial culture preparation and heat-inactivation (In the BSL3).
2) Pre-treatment of the heat-inactivated culture before DNA extraction.
3) DNA extraction using InstaGene matrix and bead-beating.
4) DNA quality control.
5) Purification with AMPure XP Bead-Based Reagent (Beckman Coulter) (Optional for WGS).
1. Mycobacterial culture preparation and heat-inactivation (In the BSL3)
1. Mycobacterial culture preparation and heat-inactivation (In the BSL3)
IF WORKING WITH SOLID CULTURE
Note
This workflow is visually represented in Figure 1 (if using solid culture).
Figure 1. Workflow to process solid culture for DNA extraction.
In a BSL3 facility, prepare the CPC Mycobacterial culture sample by performing the quality control (QC) using the rapid immunochromatographic assay (antigen test, Capilia‱ TB-Neo assay) for MTBC detection.
Label the 1.5 or 2 mL tubes (containing 3 sterile beads of 2 mm) with the corresponding sample identification on the culture tubes.
Add200 µLof nuclease-free water (NFW) to the labelled tubes.
Note
This step can be done in a BSL2 laboratory.
In a laminar flow hood (Level II), scrape 1 loop size of 10 μL of mycobacterial culture into the labelled tubes.
Vortex the tubes until the clumped cells are dispersed.
Heat-inactivate the bacterial samples at 80 °C for 01:00:00 before being removed from the BSL3.
1h
Wipe the outer surface of the tube and remove the heat-inactivated solid culture samples from the BSL3 to a BSL2 laboratory.
IF WORKING WITH LIQUID CULTURE (MGIT)
Note
This workflow is visually represented in Figure 2 (if using liquid culture).
Figure 2. Workflow to process liquid culture for DNA extraction.
Label each 15 mL polypropylene tube with the sample identification.
Vortex the MGIT tube (liquid culture in 7H9 MGIT media) previously confirmed as positive for M. tuberculosis until the bacterial biomass from the bottom is homogenized and the clumped cells are dispersed (about 00:00:05).
5s
Transfer 5 mL of the BBL MGIT content (liquid culture) into 15 mL a polypropylene tube using a 2 or 3 mL Pasteur pipette and discard the pipette.
Place the aliquoted culture (5 mL) into the pre-heated oven at 80 °C and allow it to inactivate for 01:00:00 at 80 °C before being removed from the BSL3 laboratory.
1h
Wipe the outer surface of each tube and transfer the heat-inactivated liquid culture samples to a BSL2 laboratory.
2. Pre-treatment of the heat-inactivated culture before DNA extraction
2. Pre-treatment of the heat-inactivated culture before DNA extraction
This workflow is visually represented in Figure 3 (if using liquid culture).
Figure 3. Pre-treatment workflow for DNA extraction from heat-inactivated liquid culture.
Note
When dealing with CPC samples, host (human) DNA and other contaminants persist (bacterial, fungi and viral), even after sputum decontamination and using the BD MGIT PANTA antibiotic mixture within the BD MGIT BBL tube. To address this issue, it is advised to use a saline wash as a pre-treatment step in conjunction with DNase I enzyme digestion to remove contaminating extracellular DNA. This combined approach eliminates non-mycobacterial DNA that can interfere with subsequent WGS processes. In the context of tNGS, a saline wash as pre-treatment is not required because non-mycobacterial DNA does not amplify and thereby affects the analysis, given that the NGS is a targeted PCR approach.
Figure 2. Pre-treatment workflow for DNA extraction from heat-inactivated solid culture.
In the general BSL2 lab, centrifuge the 15 mL tubes at 4.000 x g for 00:30:00 at Room temperature.
30m
Using a Pasteur pipette carefully aspirate the supernatant, without disturbing the pellet, and discard it.
Resuspend the pellet by adding 5 mL of 1X DNase buffer.
Homogenize using a vortex for 00:00:10 to disperse cells.
10s
Centrifuge the 15 mL tubes at 4.000 x g for 00:30:00 at Room temperature.
30m
Using a Pasteur pipette carefully aspirate the supernatant, without disturbing the pellet, and discard it.
Remove the remaining supernatant with a P1000 pipette.
Resuspend the pellet in 500 µL of 1X DNase buffer within the 15 mL tube.
Note
To better obtain the mycobacterial cells:
Resuspend the pellet in 350 µL of 1x DNase buffer and mix gently.
Transfer to a 1.5 or 2 mL low-binding screw cap tube.
Add 150 µL of 1x DNase buffer to the remaining pellet within the 15 mL tube.
Pipette up and down to clean the tips/tube (collect as many cells as possible).
Transfer the cells to the same low-binding screw cap tube to have a final volume of 500 µL.
Add 10 µL(15 U/µL, totalling 150 U per sample) of DNase I enzyme.
Incubate at 37 °C for 00:30:00 with gentle shaking to digest extracellular DNA (host and commensal) in suspension from the host or commensal organisms.
30m
Incubate at 65 °C for 00:10:00 to deactivate the DNase I enzyme.
10m
Centrifuge at 21000 rcf (full speed) for 00:20:00to pellet the mycobacterial cells.
20m
Discard the supernatant carefully using a P200 or P100 pipette without disturbing the pellet.
Proceed with IGM/FP DNA extraction.
3. DNA extraction using InstaGene matrix and bead-beating
3. DNA extraction using InstaGene matrix and bead-beating
Before the DNA extraction (Illustrated in Figure 4), proceed as follows:
Note
Prepare a batch of tubes as follows: Add three 2 mm beads to each 1.5 or 2 mL low-binding screw-cap tube and autoclave.
Remove the IGM from refrigeration (4 °C) and allow it to thaw to equilibrate Room temperatureat least 00:30:00 . Subsequently, homogenize the IGM using a magnetic mixer according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Figure 4. Schematic representation of DNA extraction using InstaGeneTM matrix kit with a high-speed homogenizer (e.g.: FastPrep). A) Steps if using liquid culture (from 1-A to 4A); B) Steps if using solid culture (from 1-B to 4B); C) Common procedures for both types of culture.
In the general BSL2 lab, centrifuge the 15 mL tubes at 4.000 x g (if using liquid culture) for a duration of 00:30:00 or at 12000 x g(if using solid culture) or at Room temperature
Note
Skip this step if the pre-treatment of the liquid heat-inactivated culture was performed.
30m
Add 200 µL of well-mixed IGM to the 15 mL tube containing the pellet of the heat-inactivated culture.
Note
If using solid culture, centrifuge the 1.5 or 2 mL tubes with the samples at 12.000 rcffor 00:01:00 and remove the supernatant without resuspending the pellet.
Gently resuspend the cell pellet with a P200 pipette and transfer the entire suspension to the pre-labelled tube containing the three beads.
Note
Recover all possible cells from the tube wall.
Incubate at 56 °C for 00:15:00.
15m
Homogenize using a vortex for 00:00:10 to disperse cells.
10s
Incubate the tubes in a heating block set at 100 °C for 00:08:00.
8m
Homogenize the samples using an HSH FastPrep or BeadBlaster 24 (program:00:01:00at 4.0 m/s, 1 cycle).
1m
Centrifuge the tubes at 12.000 rcf for 00:15:00.
15m
Transfer 130 µL of the supernatant with DNA to a 1.5 or 2 mL tube without disturbing the pellet (matrix with cell debris).
Proceed with quality control (QC).
4. DNA Quality control
4. DNA Quality control
Perform quality control of the genomic DNA to check the quantity and purity. The DNA quantity should measure the double strand (ds) DNA using the high-sensitivity (HS) Qubit kit (following the manufacturer's instructions).
The DNA purity can be measured using the Nanodrop spectrophotometer (following the manufacturer's instructions).
Note
For the DNA concentration, the 260/230 and 260/280 ratios are essential indicators. The reference values are for DNA samples: for the 260/280 ratio, it should be 1.8. Values between 1.7 and 2.0 indicate some degree of contamination and may influence reactions depending on the downstream procedure. A minimum DNA concentration of 1.0 ng/µL is required for sequencing with the Illumina platform. The 260/230 ratio should be between 1.8 and 2.2. In general, if the ratio is remarkably different than the provided range, it may indicate the presence of residual phenol, guanidine, magnetic beads, carbohydrates, or proteins. A low 260/230 ratio may indicate an issue with the buffer used for the blank measurement.
5. Purification with AMPure beads (Optional - If needed)
5. Purification with AMPure beads (Optional - If needed)
If samples exhibit high levels of salt or protein contamination, DNA purification can be performed using AMPure XP beads (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Workflow to process genomic DNA purification using AMPure beads.
Begin by thoroughly vortexing the cold (4 °C) AMPure XP beads to resuspend the magnetic beads that may have settled.
Subsequently, aliquot the desired amount into a low-binding tube(s) based on the number of samples being purified.
Note
Allow the aliquot to thaw toRoom temperaturefor 00:30:00before use.
Based on the sample volume, add a 1.2 X volume ratio of AMPure XP beads to the 1.5 mL or 2 mL low-binding tube containing the DNA sample.
Note
For example: If only 50 µL of the DNA sample is purified, use 60 µL of AMPure XP beads to get a ratio of 1.2x (AMPure XP beads to DNA sample volume).
Homogenize by pipetting up and down 10 X (times) slowly to avoid creating bubbles.
Note
If bubbles are introduced, this will reduce the final volume of the purified DNA.
Incubate atRoom temperaturefor 00:05:00.
5m
Place the tube into the magnetic rack for 00:05:00until the supernatant is clear.
5m
With the tube on the magnetic rack, carefully remove the supernatant without resuspending or touching the beads.
Note
Avoid touching the beads while aspirating the liquid. Instead, position the pipette tip on the opposite side of the beads inside the tube.
Add 100 µL of freshly prepared 80% ethanol on the opposite side of the beads, while the tubes are still on the magnetic rack.
Note
1. Do not add the 80% ethanol directly onto the beads.
2. When cleaning up larger volumes of DNA and beads, increase the drying time. A standard 00:05:00drying time is sufficient for cleaning up 50 µL of DNA using 100 µL of ethanol. For larger DNA volumes, proportionally increase the ethanol volume. For example, when cleaning up 130 µL of DNA using 156 µLof beads, use 200 µL of ethanol.
Incubate for 00:00:30 and remove by aspiration the 80% ethanol.
30s
41-42 Repeat steps 41 and 42. Use a P10 pipette to remove any residual 80% ethanol at the bottom of the tube on after the second wash.
Allow the 80% ethanol to evaporate without allowing the beads to crack (for about 00:05:00).
Note
1. After the removal of the residual 80% ethanol, the beads have a shiny finish. When the 80% ethanol has evaporated, the beads will have a matte finish and immediately resuspend the beads in NFW to prevent over-drying and cracking. When more than 2 tubes have matte beads, close the tubes and add NFW to each tube and resuspend. This will also prevent over-drying of beads when working with a larger batch of samples.
2. When processing increased amounts of DNA and beads, double the standard drying time (about00:10:00).
5m
After the drying step, remove the tubes from the magnetic rack.
Immediately add 50 µLof NFW and resuspend the beads to release the DNA in the NFW.
Note
To obtain a more concentrated DNA sample, use 25 µLof NFW instead of 50 µL.
Incubate at Room temperature for 00:05:00.
5m
Place the tubes back on the magnetic rack and incubate for 00:05:00.
5m
Transfer the supernatant (containing eluted DNA) of each sample to a newly labelled tube.
Proceed with DNA QC.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations
CTAB: Cetyltrimethylammonium-bromide
CPC: clinical primary culture
ddH2O: Double distilled water
BMRI: Biomedical Research Institute
BSC: Biological Safety Cabinet
BSL3: Biosafety level 3 laboratory
CaCl2: Calcium Chloride
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid
QC: Quality Control
RCF: Relative centrifugal force
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
WGS: Whole-genome sequencing
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the TORCH consortium team for their valuable contributions to the development of this protocol. We thank MSc. Janré Steyn for providing user-based feedback. We are grateful to the insightful revisions offered by Dr. Anzaan Dippenaar and Dr. Fahd Naufal.
Protocol references
Van Embden JD et al. Strain identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by DNA fingerprinting: recommendations for a standardized methodology. J Clin Microbiol 1993;31: 406–9.
Kang M et al. Comparison of DNA extraction methods for drug susceptibility testing by allele-specific primer extension on a microsphere-based platform: Chelex-100 (in-house and commercialized) and MagPurix TB DNA Extraction Kit. J Microbiol Methods. 2018 Sep;152:105-108. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2018.07.019. Epub 2018 Jul 31. PMID: 30075237.
Shea J et al. Comprehensive whole-genome sequencing and reporting of drug resistance profiles on clinical cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in New York State. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2017, 55(6), 1871–1882. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.00298-17.