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Codon changes challenge PCR-based gene doping detection

delete2025-10-07
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PRE
AI
D
Die Wu
S
Shengqian Ding
N
Nian Liu
师怡 cover
师怡 (Yi Shi)
P
Peipei Su
H
Hui Shi
Y
Yue Shi
B
Bo Han
S
Sheng Cheng
X
Xinyuan Ren
P
Peijie Chen *
J
Jiaoxiang Wu *
X
Xianbin Su *
R
Ruihong Li *
DOI:10.1038/s41434-025-00569-ydelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Genetic/genomic manipulation techniques (gene transfer/delivery, gene editing, etc.) have become more and more mature, and the illegal use as gene doping in sports has drawn attentions. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) strictly prohibits gene doping, and has issued guideline on quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detections. However, the technical feature of qPCR makes it difficult to detect new doping targets, and codon changes on targets may also affect detection efficiency. Here, we prepare standard materials for genomic and transgenic versions of human EPO (hEPO) gene, and design qPCR primers to check the consequences of codon changes on gene doping detection. We confirm that carefully designed qPCR assays could indeed capture transgene signal, but codon changes on the transgene could severely undermine detection efficiency. We have also mimicked real world gene doping scenario by mixing genomic and transgenic versions of hEPO, and qPCR could detect wild-type but not codon-changed transgenes. As a method validation for such a challenge, we also use Sanger sequencing to confirm that sequencing could easily capture gene doping even for codon-changed transgenes. Our study confirms that codon changes will challenge qPCR-based gene doping detection, and calls for un-biased detection tools based on high-throughput sequencing in the future.

Journal

Gene Therapy cover
Gene Therapy
IF:
4.5
Papers:
230
Citations:
6.7K

Organization

S
School of Exercise and Health
Scholars:
114
Papers: 49
Citations: 0
S
Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Scholars:
5.6K
Papers: 1.6K
Citations: 14
W
Welsh School of Architecture
Scholars:
2
Papers: 2
Citations: 0
S
shanghai anti-doping laboratory
Scholars:
8
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
T
Tongren Hospital
Scholars:
179
Papers: 62
Citations: 2.2K
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