Aneuploidy Screening By QF-PCR Flashcards
QF-PCR results are usually confirmed by what method?
FISH
What are some of the benefits of QF-PCR in comparison to FISH?
- Smaller amounts of material required
- Suitable for high throughput
- More likely to detect regional imbalances
- Much cheaper cost
How does QF-PCR work?
- Microsatellites = repetitive DNA sequences made up of rpt units 2-10bp in length located across genome
- Amplify microsatellite regions by PCR using flanking primers
- PCR products quantified to determine chromosome copy number
How many cycles are used for QF-PCR and why?
- Number of cycles limited to exponential phase so product is proportional to the starting material (currently 28)
- Additional cycles may deplete reagents and may not get accurate quantitation
How many microsatellite markers are used for aneuploidy by QF-PCR?
- 9 microsatellite markers: 3 each from chromosomes 13, 18 and 21
- 2 informative markers required for each chromosome
- 6 additional microsatellite markers can be amplified if needed
What is an informative marker?
- One that has either two or three peaks
- If only one peak then you are unsure if this is due to it being homozygous or if they have a deletion
How is the chromosome copy number calculated?
- Peak height 1 divided by peak height 2 gives the dosage ratio
- Normal values = 0.8-1.4
- Peak area may also be used
What are the dosage ratios used for detection of a trisomy by QF-PCR?
2 or more markers on the same chromosome should show either:
- 2:1 ratio (1.8-2.4 or 0.45-0.65)
- 3 peaks of equal size
How would a triploidy be detected by QF-PCR?
- All markers show either a 2:1 ratio or 1:1:1 (3 peaks)
What are some issues that arise through QF-PCR aneuploidy testing?
- Bloodstained amnios (potential MCC)
- Inconclusive markers (primer binding site polymorphisms)
- Submicroscopic dups or other CNVs
- Somatic microsatellite mutations
- Mosaicism
What are some ways in which MCC can be spotted via QF-PCR aneuploidy testing?
- Majority of markers show inconclusive ratios
- triallelic results not 1:1:1
A clinically significant regional imbalance may present as what rough QF-PCR results?
- Discrepant results for the most proximal/distal QF-PCR markers
- Abnormal markers flanked by normal markers
If microsatellite markers give inconclusive ratios via QF-PCR what may be cause and how can it be combatted?
- Most likely due to primer binding site polymorphism (PSP)
- Reduce the annealing temp
- If persists could suggest mosaic imbalance at one marker
How can you distinguish between a PSP and a single abnormal marker/submicroscopic dup in QF-PCR analysis?
Reducing the annealing temp would combat a PSP but not the SMD
How may mosaicism present through QF-PCR?
Inconclusive ratios for one chromosome with or without trisomy