Direct detection of the common Mediterranean β-thalassemia gene with synthetic DNA probes. An alternative approach for prenatal diagnosis

The most common form of β-thalassemia among Mediterraneans results from a single nucleotide substitution within the first intervening sequence (IVS-1) of the β-globin gene. This particular mutation is not detectable in uncloned DNA by restriction enzyme analysis. Using synthetic DNA of 19-nucleotides in length corresponding to the normal and mutant IVS-1 sequences as probes, we have developed a direct assay for this gene defect. Under carefully controlled experimental conditions these synthetic probes detect only their homologous sequences in restriction digests of both cloned and uncloned DNA samples. The method is sufficiently sensitive to establish the genotype of individuals with respect to this defect using ~20 μg total DNA. This assay provides an alternative diagnosis of this variety of β-thalassemia, particularly among Greek families where it is especially common.