Rapid Identification of β-Thalassemia, Hb E, and High Hb F Determinants Using a High-Resolution Melting Analysis: Application in Prenatal Diagnosis in Southern Thailand.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
β-thalassemia (thal), hemoglobin (Hb) E, and high Hb F determinants, which are caused by mutations in the β-globin gene cluster, are common genetic disorders in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Prenatal diagnosis is essential for couples at risk to identify severe forms, including homozygous β-thal and Hb E/β-thal. Conventional methods, including reverse dot-blot hybridization and gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genotyping of point and large deletion mutations, require post-PCR steps, which are time-consuming and costly. This study aimed to develop a rapid and efficient method using monoplex high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for genotyping of Hb E and 11 β-thal mutations; multiplex HRM analysis for identifying six deletional mutations, including two β0-thal mutations (3.5 and 45 kb deletion); and a novel method for detecting four high Hb F determinants, namely, δβ0-thal (12.5 kb deletion), HPFH6, Indian inv-del (Aγδβ)0-thal, and Thai del-inv-ins (Aγδβ)0-thal. The developed assays were validated using 182 blinded fetal DNA samples with 41 β-thal genotypes. Different HRM patterns were observed among wild-type, heterozygote, homozygote, and compound heterozygote genotypes. Six deletional mutations showed specific melt curves. This technique demonstrated 100% concordance with conventional methods. The assay showed 100% sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values within the limit of detection at DNA concentrations of 8.0 ng/reaction. Finally, this developed assay was efficient in identifying both point mutations and large deletion, convenient, rapid, and cost-effective and did not require post-PCR steps. Thus, this technique has potential for application in prenatal diagnosis of thal and can inform prevention and control programs.
期刊介绍:
Hemoglobin is a journal in the English language for the communication of research and information concerning hemoglobin in humans and other species. Hemoglobin publishes articles, reviews, points of view
The journal covers topics such as:
structure, function, genetics and evolution of hemoglobins
biochemical and biophysical properties of hemoglobin molecules
characterization of hemoglobin disorders (variants and thalassemias),
consequences and treatment of hemoglobin disorders
epidemiology and prevention of hemoglobin disorders (neo-natal and adult screening)
modulating factors
methodology used for diagnosis of hemoglobin disorders