Simultaneous mutation scanning and genotyping by high-resolution DNA melting analysis

Nat Protoc. 2007;2(1):59-66. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2007.10.

Abstract

This protocol permits the simultaneous mutation scanning and genotyping of PCR products by high-resolution DNA melting analysis. This is achieved using asymmetric PCR performed in the presence of a saturating fluorescent DNA dye and unlabeled oligonucleotide probes. Fluorescent melting curves of both PCR amplicons and amplicon-probe duplexes are analyzed. The shape of the PCR amplicon melting transition reveals the presence of heterozygotes, whereas specific genotyping is enabled by melting of the unlabeled probe-amplicon duplex. Unbiased hierarchal clustering of melting transitions automatically groups different sequence variants; this allows common variants to be easily recognized and genotyped. This technique may be used in both laboratory research and clinical settings to study single-nucleotide polymorphisms and small insertions and deletions, and to diagnose associated genetic disorders. High-resolution melting analysis accomplishes simultaneous gene scanning and mutation genotyping in a fraction of the time required when using traditional methods, while maintaining a closed-tube environment. The PCR requires <30 min (capillaries) or 1.5 h (96- or 384-well plates) and melting acquisition takes 1-2 min per capillary or 5 min per plate.

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / methods*
  • Fluorescence
  • Genetic Techniques*
  • Genotype
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation*
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides