Comparing PCR With High-resolution Melting Analysis for Apolipoprotein E Genotyping in Alzheimer's: A Case-control Study.

INTRODUCTION

The apolipoprotein E () genotype has a heterogeneous distribution throughout the world. The present study aimed to characterize the genotype (, ) in healthy individuals compared with Alzheimer cases in Kerman, southeastern Iran, by two standard mutation scanning methods.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 90 Alzheimer patients as a case group and 90 healthy individuals as a control group were examined. genotyping was carried out using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis assay and multiplex tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS PCR) techniques.

RESULTS

In contrast to Multiplex T-ARMS PCR, HRM analysis was not efficient in rs7412 genotyping. The results of multiplex T-ARMS showed that genotype (P=0.006, odd ratio [OR]=0.119) and allele (P=0.004, OR=0.129) were more prevalent in the control group compared with the case ones, whereas allele was associated with borderline risk of Alzheimer disease (P=0.099, OR=1.76).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that Multiplex T-ARMS PCR could be considered as a better option than HRM analysis for genotyping in terms of speed, accuracy, simplicity, and cheapness in large-scale use. Also, the present study revealed that genotype and allele are protective against Alzheimer whereas the allele cannot be strongly considered as Alzheimer genetic risk factor in Kerman, Iran. The results may help to choose a better technique for genotyping.