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Study of hepatitis B virus gene mutations with enzymatic colorimetry-based DNA microarray.

Mao H, Wang H, Zhang D, Mao H, Zhao J, Shi J, Cui Z

Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, China.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a modified microarray method for detecting HBV gene mutations in the clinic. DESIGN AND METHODS: Site-specific oligonucleotide probes were immobilized to microarray slides and hybridized to biotin-labeled HBV gene fragments amplified from two-step PCR. Hybridized targets were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, followed by intensity measurement using BCIP/NBT colorimetry. RESULTS: HBV genes from 99 Hepatitis B patients and 40 healthy blood donors were analyzed. Mutation frequencies of HBV pre-core/core and basic core promoter (BCP) regions were found to be significantly higher in the patient group (42%, 40% versus 2.5%, 5%, P < 0.01). Compared with a traditional fluorescence method, the colorimetry method exhibited the same level of sensitivity and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: An enzymatic colorimetry-based DNA microarray assay was successfully established to monitor HBV mutations. Pre-core/core and BCP mutations of HBV genes could be major causes of HBV infection in HBeAg-negative patients and could also be relevant to chronicity and aggravation of hepatitis B.

Published 2 January 2006 in Clin Biochem, 39(1): 67-73.
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