Rapid genotyping of catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphism using real-time PCR with fluorescent hybridization probes
2004
Abstract
A single-nucleotide polymorphism at codon 108/158 of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene alters the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters and contributes to the etiology of several mental disorders. We present a rapid real-time PCR method for COMT genotyping via melting point analysis with fluorescent hybridization probes. 58 of 118 investigated healthy volunteers (49%) were heterozygous Met/Val, 25 subjects (21%) were homozygous Met/Met, and 35 subjects (30%) were homozygous Val/Val.
The estimation of Val-108/158 allele frequency was about 54%. Detection of the genetic polymorphism at COMT codon 108/158 by real-time PCR could be an attractive approach providing rapid and accurate results of DNA analysis.