Rapid identification of hemoglobin Quong Sze mutation using high-resolution melting analysis

High-resolution melting: applications in genetic disorders

High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis is a feasible and powerful method for mutation scanning of sequence variants. Denatured doubled-stranded DNA can be detected in fluorescence changes by increasing the melting temperature and wild-type and heterozygous samples can be easily differentiated in the melting plots. HRM analysis represents the next generation of mutation-scanning technology and offers considerable time and cost savings compared to other screening methods. HRM analysis is a closed-tube method, indicating that polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent analysis are sequentially performed in the well, making HRM analysis more convenient than other scanning methodologies. Taken together, HRM analysis can be used for high-throughput mutation screening for research, as well as for molecular diagnostic and clinical purposes. This review summarizes the effectiveness of HRM analysis in the diagnosis of autosomal recessive, dominant, and X-linked genetic disorders. Notably, we will also discuss the limitations of HRM analysis and how to overcome them.

Screening for mutations in the α-globin genes leading to abnormal hemoglobin variants with high resolution melting analysis

α-Thalassemia is one of the most commonly inherited single-gene disorders in southern China. It is important to identify non-deletional α-thalassemia in areas where α-thalassemia is prevalent, since non-deletional HbH disease (

An approach based on high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was used. A total of 74 samples, including 54 abnormal α-chain samples and 20 control samples, were tested.

All of the 54 samples with point mutations at the exons 1, 2 or 3 of the α-globin genes, including 33 non-deletional α-thalassemia, were successfully detected.

HRM has the potential to become an efficient, rapid screening method for non-deletional α-thalassemia.