title: [Detecting MTHFR gene mutation with a new approach: molecular beacons].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, 261041 PR China.
authors.forename: Bao-qin
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Guo-ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jin-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Qing-qiu
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)