title: Methods for identifying and studying genetic alterations in hormone-dependent cancers.
abstract: Genetic alterations underlying the development of cancer include large chromosomal aberrations, such as amplifications, deletions and translocations as well as small changes in sequence, i.e. mutations. Thus, different methods are needed to reveal various types of genetic changes. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a versatile technique for detecting chromosomal alterations either in cultured cells or even in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. For screening mutations, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) provides a relatively fast, cheap and sensitive option. The only special requirement is the HPLC equipment suitable for the analysis. As a screening tool, it does not reveal the actual base pair change, which in the end needs to be done by sequencing. FISH and DHPLC can both be utilized in research as well as in clinical diagnostic laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Outi R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Saramäki
authors.forename: Kati K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Waltering
authors.forename: Tapio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Visakorpi
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*