title: Rapid and reliable genotyping of polymorphic loci modifying correct splicing of CFTR pre-mRNA using mass spectrometry.
abstract: We describe a fast and unambiguous method for haplotyping the (TG)mTn repeat in IVS8 and determining three other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exons 10, 14a and 24 in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene affecting correct splicing of the CFTR pre-mRNA using primer extension and mass spectrometry. The diagnostic products are generated by primer extension (PEX) reactions, which require a single detection primer complementary to a region downstream of a target strand's variable site. On addition of a polymerase and an appropriate mixture of dNTP's and 2', 3'-dideoxynucleotide triphosphates (ddNTP's), the primer is extended through the mutation region until the first ddNTP is incorporated and the mass of the extension products determines the composition of the variable site. Analysis of patient DNA assigned the correct and unambiguous haplotype for the (TG)mTn repeat in intron 8 of the CFTR gene. Additional crucial SNPs influencing correct splicing in exon 10, 14 and 24 can easily be detected by biplexing the assay to genotype allelic variants important for correct splicing of the CFTR pre-mRNA. Different PEX reactions with subsequent mass spectrometry generate sufficient data, to enable unambiguous and easy haplotyping of the (TG)mTn repeat in the CFTR gene. The method can be easily extended to the inclusion of additional SNPs of interest by biplexing some of the PEX reactions. All experimental steps required for PEX are amenable to the high degree of automation desirable for a high-throughput diagnostic setting, facilitating the work of clinicians involved in the diagnosis of non-classic cystic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: von Känel
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gehr
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallati
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics*; D005091:Exons; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012322:RNA Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator