Protocol for a minigene splice assay using the pET01 vector

Aberrant splicing plays a major role in hereditary disorders, yet characterizing molecular effects of splice variants poses challenges. Here, we present a protocol for an in vitro minigene splice assay using the pET01 vector. We describe steps for assay design, minigene plasmid cloning, transfection, RNA isolation, and cDNA synthesis. We also detail procedures for quantitative capillary electrophoresis and optional subcloning. This protocol is useful when patient RNA is unavailable or target genes or isoforms are not expressed in accessible tissues.