Method and kits for detection of fragile X specific, GC-rich DNA sequences
First Claim
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1. A method for ascertaining whether an individual is a carrier for, or afflicted with Fragile X comprising:
- a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from said individual; and
b) amplifying a nucleic acid in said nucleic acid sample by performing a polymerase chain reaction on said sample in a reaction mixture that is substantially free of GTP and dGTP, said reaction mixture comprising;
(1) at least one primer selected from the group consisting of oligonucleotides that are capable of specifically hybridizing within the FMR-1 fragile site, and oligonucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing sufficiently near the FMR-1 GC-rich fragile site to yield a PCR product; and
(2) a nucleotide analogue selected from the group consisting of 7-deaza GTP, inosine, and 7-deaza inosine; and
c) determining the size of said amplified nucleic acid wherein the size indicates the number of CGG repeats in said amplified nucleic acid d) correlating the size of the amplified nucleic acid and/or number of repeats to whether said individual is a carrier for or afflicted with Fragile X.
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Abstract
A method is provided for amplifying and detecting specific GC-rich nucleic acid sequences contained in a nucleic acid or in a mixture of nucleic acids, which includes treating a separate nucleic acid containing the specific sequence with a molar excess of primers and a polymerase and extending the primers in the presence of dATP, dCTP, TTP, and an analogue of dGTP. In one application of the present invention, individuals who are carriers for, or afflicted by, the fragile X syndrome are detected.
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15 Claims
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1. A method for ascertaining whether an individual is a carrier for, or afflicted with Fragile X comprising:
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a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from said individual; and
b) amplifying a nucleic acid in said nucleic acid sample by performing a polymerase chain reaction on said sample in a reaction mixture that is substantially free of GTP and dGTP, said reaction mixture comprising;
(1) at least one primer selected from the group consisting of oligonucleotides that are capable of specifically hybridizing within the FMR-1 fragile site, and oligonucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing sufficiently near the FMR-1 GC-rich fragile site to yield a PCR product; and
(2) a nucleotide analogue selected from the group consisting of 7-deaza GTP, inosine, and 7-deaza inosine; and
c) determining the size of said amplified nucleic acid wherein the size indicates the number of CGG repeats in said amplified nucleic acid d) correlating the size of the amplified nucleic acid and/or number of repeats to whether said individual is a carrier for or afflicted with Fragile X. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A kit for determining whether an individual is a carrier for or afflicted with Fragile X, comprising:
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a) oligonucleotide primers capable of hybridizing to nucleic acid sequences selected from the group of sequences that consist of (I) sequences that are present within the FMR-1 fragile site, and (II) sequences that are sufficiently near the FMR-1 fragile site to provide an amplified product, wherein said oligonucleotide primers flank the FMR-1 fragile site;
b) a nucleotide analog selected from the group consisting of 7-deaza GTP, inosine, and 7-deaza-inosine; and
c) a PCR reaction mixture which is substantially free of added GTP and dGTP. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification