Optimisation and evaluation of restriction fragment length polimorfism method for apolipoprotein E

. Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism is characterized by the presence of three common alleles, e2, e3 and e4, which encode three isoforms of apolipoprotein E in plasma E2, E3 and E4. Genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E gene are predictive markers for the development of numerous disorders of lipid metabolism, already proven in a large number of clinical trials. This study was aimed at assessing the success rate of restriction fragment length polymorphism method for the detections of genes coding for isoenzymes E2, E3 and E4. Material and Methods. Deoxyribonucleic acid, used in this study, was extracted from blood by standard procedure using chloroform and phenol. The polymerase chain reaction method was used to amplify the coding sequence of fourth exon of the apolipoprotein E gene. Amplification products were digested with HhaI. The fragments obtained were separated by electrophoresis and visualized with ultraviolet light. Results. Our results showed that the restriction fragment length polymorphism method is optimal for detection of apolipoprotein E polymorphisms. The restriction enzyme HhaI achieved the cleavage of the gene on the specific loci, directly depend of presence or absence of mutations at positions 112 and 158, of different alleles. Conclusion. This method enables simple, rapid and efficient analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, directly determining the patient’s genotype.