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Background: High-resolution melting of PCR amplicons with the DNA dye LCGreen TM I was recently introduced as a homogeneous, closed-tube method of genotyping that does not require probes or real-time PCR. We adapted this system to genotype single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after rapid-cycle PCR (12 min) of small amplicons (<50 bp). Methods: Engineered plasmids were used to study all possible SNP base changes. In addition, clinical protocols for factor V (Leiden) 1691G>A, prothrombin 20210G>A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 1298A>C, hemochromatosis (HFE) 187C>G, and ␤-globin (hemoglobin S) 17A>T were developed. LCGreen I was included in the reaction mixture before PCR, and high-resolution melting was obtained within 2 min after amplification. Results: In all cases, heterozygotes were easily identified because heteroduplexes altered the shape of the melting curves. Approximately 84% of human SNPs involve a base exchange between A::T and G::C base pairs, and the homozygotes are easily genotyped by melting temperatures (T m s) that differ by 0.8 -1.4°C. However, in ϳ16% of SNPs, the bases only switch strands and preserve the base pair, producing very small T m differences between homozygotes (<0.4°C). Although most of these cases can be genotyped by T m , one-fourth (4% of total SNPs) show nearest-neighbor symmetry, and, as predicted, the homozygotes cannot be resolved from each other. In these cases, adding 15% of a known homozygous genotype to unknown samples allows melting curve separation of all three genotypes.

Background:Common methods for identification of DNA sequence variants use gel electrophoresis or column separation after PCR. Methods: We developed a method for sequence variant analysis requiring only PCR and amplicon melting analysis. One of the PCR primers was fluorescently labeled. After PCR, the melting transition of the amplicon was monitored by high-resolution melting analysis. Different homozygotes were distinguished by amplicon melting temperature (T m ). Heterozygotes were identified by low-temperature melting of heteroduplexes, which broadened the overall melting transition. In both cases, melting analysis required ϳ1 min and no sample processing was needed after PCR. Results: Polymorphisms in the HTR2A (T102C), ␤-globin [hemoglobin (Hb) S, C, and E], and cystic fibrosis (F508del, F508C, I507del, I506V) genes were analyzed. Heteroduplexes produced by amplification of heterozygous DNA were best detected by rapid cooling (>2°C/s) of denatured products, followed by rapid heating during melting analysis (0.2-0.4°C/s). Heterozygotes were distinguished from homozygotes by a broader melting transition, and each heterozygote had a uniquely shaped fluorescent melting curve. All homozygotes tested were distinguished from each other, including Hb AA and Hb SS, which differed in T m by <0.2°C. The amplicons varied in length from 44 to 304 bp. In place of one labeled and one unlabeled primer, a generic fluorescent oligonucleotide could be used if a 5 tail of identical sequence was added to one of the two unlabeled primers.

Background: High-resolution DNA melting analysis with saturation dyes for either mutation scanning of PCR products or genotyping with unlabeled probes has been reported. However, simultaneous PCR product scanning and probe genotyping in the same reaction has not been described. Methods: Asymmetric PCR was performed in the presence of unlabeled oligonucleotide probes and a saturating fluorescent DNA dye. High-resolution melting curves for samples in either capillaries (0.3°C/s) or microtiter format (0.1°C/s) were generated in the same containers used for amplification. Melting curves of the factor V Leiden single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and several mutations in exons 10 and 11 of the cystic fibrosis transconductance regulator gene were analyzed for both PCR product and probe melting transitions. Results: Independent verification of genotype for simple SNPs was achieved by either PCR product or probe melting transitions. Two unlabeled probes in one reaction could genotype many sequence variants with simultaneous scanning of the entire PCR product. For example, analysis of both product and probe melting transitions genotyped ⌬F508, ⌬I507, Q493X, I506V, and F508C variants in exon 10 and G551D, G542X, and R553X variants in exon 11. Unbiased hierarchal clustering of the melting transitions identified the specific sequence variants. Conclusions: When DNA melting is performed rapidly and observed at high resolution with saturating DNA dyes, it is possible to scan for mutations and genotype at the same time within a few minutes after amplification.

The beige mutation is a murine autosomal recessive disorder, resulting in hypopigmentation, bleeding and immune cell dysfunction. The gene defective in beige is thought to be a homologue of the gene for the human disorder Chediak-Higashi syndrome. We have identified the murine beige gene by in vitro complementation and positional cloning, and confirmed its identification by defining mutations in two independent mutant alleles. The sequence of the beige gene message shows strong nucleotide homology to multiple human ESTs, one or more of which may be associated with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome gene. The amino acid sequence of the Beige protein revealed a novel protein with significant amino acid homology to orphan proteins identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans and humans.