GENE DIAGNOSIS OF HEMOGLOBINOPATHY IN CHINESE BY AMPLIFIED DNA

<正> This paper describes the application of DNA amplification in vitro with the polymerase chain reaction on the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia syndromes and on detection of HbS and HbD Punjab genes. DNA polymerase chain reaction was performed on lysed amniotic fluid cells or chorionic villus samples without prior DNA extraction and on DNA sampling from dried blood spots on filter paper blotters, α-thalassemia was prenatally diagnosed by direct analysis of amplified fetal target sequences on gel electrophoresis; and β-thalassemia was predicted by Hgi AI RFLP linkage analysis with amplified β-globin DNA. HbS and HbD Punjab genes were identified by Mst Ⅱor Eco RI mapping of the amplified β-globin DNA directly on the electrophoretic gels. The analysis of the amplified DNA does not require radioactive DNA probes and Southern hybridization. The total procedure can be completed within five hours.