A SIMPLE APPROACH TO PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF BETA-THALASSEMIA IN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA WHERE MULTIPLE MUTATIONS OCCUR

  • 1 May 1988
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 71  (5) , 1357-1360
Abstract
We describe a simple approach for detecting .beta.-thalassemia mutations in geographic areas such as southern China where multiple mutations are known to occur. Segments of the .beta.-globin gene were amplified in vitro by using the polymerase chain reaction. Dot blot hybridization of the amplified DNA with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the six mutations found in southern China could directly identify the mutations causing .beta.-thalassemia in the affected families. The increased number of target sequences after amplification allows the use of 35S-labeled probes, which are reusable for up to 3 months. The mutations can be determined in two days.