Touch-down PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism for detecting clonal T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement in lymphoid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the value of detecting clonal T cell receptor gamma (TCR-gamma) gene rearrangement with touch-down PCR and single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) in the diagnosis of lymphoid leukemia.

METHODS

The DNA of peripheral blood leucocytes from lymphoid leukemia patients were extracted for amplification of the TCR-gamma gene rearrangement with the consensus primers and touch-down PCR. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, direct DNA sequencing and SSCP analysis. The positive control cell line DNA was mixed in different proportions with the DNA extracted from reactive lymphoid tissue to test the sensitivity of the touch-down PCR.

RESULTS

Fifteen of 18 T lymphoid leukemia and 2 of the 4 B lymphoid leukemia patients were identified to be positive by agarose electrophoresis. The positive PCR products were further analyzed by SSCP analysis, which showed discrete bands. Direct DNA sequencing confirmed the clones to be TCR-gamma gene rearrangement, and the sensitivity of touch-down PCR was 1%.

CONCLUSION

Consensus primers for studying TCR-gamma gene rearrangement in combination with touch-down PCR can effectively amplify the clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangement in T lymphoid leukemia.