A rapid automated SSCP multiplex capillary electrophoresis protocol that detects the two common mutations implicated in hereditary hemochromatosis (HH).

Currently two mutations in the HFE gene are known to be associated with the manifestation of the autosomal recessive disorder hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). A single-base mutation resulting in Cys282Tyr appears to have a causative role in the development of the disease, and a point mutation resulting in His63Asp may also be involved. Recent observations with a fully automated capillary electrophoresis (CE) system (ABI Prism 310) suggested that this instrument could be used for the precise identification of known mutations based on single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Two DNA fragments, each specific for one of the HFE mutation sites and labeled with a different fluorophor, were coamplified and without further manipulation simultaneously analyzed by CE-SSCP. Wild-type samples showed a mobility pattern that was clearly distinguishable from homozygous Cys282Tyr, homozygous His63Asp, or a compound heterozygous sample. To evaluate the reliability of this system for the detection of both mutations, 20 samples were analyzed blind. All genotypes, which were called automatically, were in concordance with those obtained by a previously validated restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Thus, SSCP in combination with CE provides a fast and precise research tool for the simultaneous identification of the two common mutations implicated in HH.