title: Composite PAGE: an alternate method for increased separation of amplified short tandem repeat alleles.
abstract: Genetic typing of short tandem repeat (STR) loci may require electrophoretic separation techniques which, depending on the locus, can resolve alleles differing in size by only 2, 3 or 4 base pairs (bps). Many such loci can be separated by horizontal, discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (hd-PAGE). However, some loci present particular separation challenges. A composite (or step) gel system consisting of 2 zones, anodal and cathodal, which differ by pore size and ionic strength, has been developed to augment resolution of DNA fragments without a need for additional electrophoretic equipment. Depending on pore size, as well as ionic strength, initial migration can be increased or decreased to effect resolution. When compared with hd-PAGE, this composite gel electrophoretic system can result in enhanced resolution of PCR amplified STR alleles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorente
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lorente
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Budowle
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000235:genetics; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D004247:DNA