biotin-11-dutp and Leukemia--Myelogenous--Chronic--BCR-ABL-Positive

The breakpoint cluster region gene rearrangement associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia is becoming important in the diagnosis and management of the disease. At this time, the ability to demonstrate the gene rearrangement is limited to a few research laboratories. The problem results partially from unfamiliarity of medical laboratory personnel with DNA technology, but more because of the restricted use of radiolabeled phosphorus in hospital laboratories. With the introduction of biotinylated deoxynucleotides, nucleic acid hybridization procedures can now be performed without the use of radioisotopically labeled gene probes. This article describes the use of biotin-labeled gene probes to detect the gene rearrangement of the breakpoint cluster region of chromosome 22 in chronic myelogenous leukemia. The techniques are reproducible, sensitive, and safe. With the procedures described in this article, the assay can become more available to medical laboratories interested in offering this diagnostic and decision-making tool.

Topics: Biotin; Blotting, Southern; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; Deoxyuracil Nucleotides; DNA; DNA Probes; Gene Rearrangement; Humans; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Phosphorus Radioisotopes