Detection of mutations by fluorescence-assisted mismatch analysis (FAMA)

Fluorescence-assisted mismatch analysis (FAMA) methodology uses bifluorescent double-stranded DNA substrates to maximize the reliability and sensitivity of mutation-scanning procedures that rely on cleavage of mismatches using chemical. This unit presents a nested PCR procedure to fluorescently label each DNA strand, followed by chemical cleavage to detect the point mutations. Fluorescent end labeling with strand-specific fluorophores, electrophoretic separation of cleavage products in an automated Perkin-Elmer ABI 373 or 377 DNA sequencer and analysis using the Perkin-Elmer GENESCAN software expands sensitivity by highlighting weak signals through superimposition of strand-specific fluorescence electropherograms for different samples.