Detection of Hb E mutation (beta(26), GAG-AAG, Glu-Lys) using allelic discrimination analysis

A method for detection of hemoglobin (Hb) E mutation was developed based on allelic discrimination analysis. Two probes labeled with different fluorescent reporter dyes were designed to specifically detect variation of a single nucleic acid polymorphism (SNP) site in the target template sequence. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of normal allele and mutant allele were detected directly by analyzing fluorescent signal of each probe. This method was validated in term of accuracy (by comparing with sequence analysis) and reproducibility. The % CV between run precision was 5.16-8.86%. The narrow scatter of the results confirmed the reproducibility of the assay. This technique is a rapid, reliable and cost-effective method to differentiate Hb E homozygosity from beta(0)-thalassemia/Hb E in populations with a high frequency of beta-thalassemia and Hb E.