title: An improved method for detecting Y chromosomal DNA.
abstract: The DNA probe Y97 was derived from a repeat sequence in the human Y centromere, a region which must be present in a mitotically functional Y chromosome. We have demonstrated that Y97, which detects a Y-specific 5.5-kb EcoRI fragment by Southern analysis, is very useful for the molecular detection of small amounts of Y-derived material and represents a significant improvement over previous tests for molecular diagnosis of sex. The male-female difference in hybridization was unequivocal even when only 25 ng of total DNA was used per lane. Furthermore, in mixing experiments the 5.5-kb EcoRI fragment was detectable even when only 5% of the total DNA was male. By increasing hybridization stringency, we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and accurate method to detect Y chromosomal DNA in unrestricted samples.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D014998:Y Chromosome
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI