Multiplex DNA amplification and solid-phase direct sequencing for mutation analysis at the hprt locus in Chinese hamster cells

We report here the development of multiplex in vitro DNA amplification and solid-phase direct exon sequencing for the analysis of mutations at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus in Chinese hamster cells. 18 representative HPRT-deficient mutants, derived either spontaneously, or after exposure to UV light or ionizing radiation, were analyzed. All 9 hprt exons were simultaneously amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid deletion detection. 5 mutants involve single or multiple-exon deletions. Altered multiplex PCR patterns were detected in mutants Bsp-040, Bsp-065 and BGR-606. Subsequent direct sequence analysis reveals that Bsp-040 and Bsp-065 carry a 52-bp and a 13-bp intragenic DNA deletion in exon 3, respectively. BGR-606 contains a 223-bp insertion accompanied by a 10-bp deletion of intron sequence within exon 4 fragment. Other subtle DNA alterations identified by direct exon sequence analysis include single-base substitutions, small deletions and insertions, adn RNA splicing mutations.