Patent ID: 6114115
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for detecting heterozygosity or the presence of a mutation or polymorphism in heterozygous form in a test DNA sample, which heterozygosity, mutation or polymorphism is the result of a deletion or addition of up to four nucleotides, which method comprises:(a) detectably labeling said test DNA any time prior to step (c) below;(b) denaturing double stranded DNA in said sample into single strands and allowing said single strands to reanneal into duplexes;(c) contacting said duplexes with immobilized E. coli MutS protein, a homologue thereof or a functional derivative of said MutS or of said homologue, under conditions in which heteroduplexes containing one to four unpaired bases bind to said immobilized protein, homologue or derivative; and(d) detecting any bound heteroduplexes of step (c),wherein the presence of bound heteroduplex DNA is indicative of the presence of said heterozygosity, mutation or polymorphism in said test DNA.