[Detecting MTHFR gene mutation with a new approach: molecular beacons].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) gene C677T mutation with molecular beacon technique and assess the revant applicability.


METHODS
A total of 228 samples were analyzed using molecular beacons which are oligonucleotide probes to become fluorescent upon hybridization. Wild-type molecular beacon and mutant beacon were designed to detect the genotypes of MTHFR gene.


RESULTS
Analysis of the 228 samples indicated that there were three genotypes including 41 homozygous mutants, 113 heterozygous individuals and 74 wild-type individuals. Every sample was identified clearly.


CONCLUSIONS
The present method, a closed-tube PCR/hybridization assay, is a simple, high-throughput and fast procedure that is fully automated for detecting gene mutation.
Jiang
Bao-qin
BQ
Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, 261041 PR China.
Zhu
Guo-ming
GM
Yu
Jin-hua
JH
Bao
Qing-qiu
QQ
Xu
Mei
M
D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017354:Point Mutation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)