Korean J Clin Pathol.  2000 Apr;20(2):150-156.

Modified and Improved ARMS PCR Method for Apolipoprotein E Genotyping

• Kim DS
• Lee HS
• Choi SI
• Suh SP

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The determination of apo E polymorphism through the phenotyping is not suitable for large studies in the clinical laboratories because of various problems. So apo E genotyping has been developed. We present a method of apo E genotyping using a modified amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) technique.
METHODS
We used four primers to detect the region containing two mutation points coding amino acid residues 112 and 158 and have developed a method of apo E genotyping by the modified ARMS technique. Apo E genotyping were performed by both the modified ARMS technique and the INNO-LiPA Apo E kit(Innogenetics, Belgium) with the following frequency distribution: Epsilon2/2(n=10), Epsilon3/3(n=15), Epsilon4/4(n=7), Epsilon2/3(n=9), Epsilon2/4(n=12), Epsilon3/4(n=13).
RESULTS
All the samples gave the correct and clear amplification patterns. Modified ARMS correctly distinguished among the six apo E genotypes. The apo E genotypes determined by both methods for every specimen studied were in complete agreement.
CONCLUSIONS
This modified ARMS technique involved only two stages: PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Since apo E genotyping by the modified ARMS is reliable, simple to perform, less time consuming, and not expensive, we conclude that it is suitable for large sample studies in the clinical laboratories.

Keyword

Apolipoprotein E; Apo E genotyping; ARMS

MeSH Terms

Apolipoproteins E
Apolipoproteins*
Arm*
Clinical Coding
Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
Genotype
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Apolipoproteins
Apolipoproteins E