RAPID AND SAFE DETERMINATION OF HUMAN APOLIPOPROTEIN-E GENOTYPES BY MINIATURIZED SDS-PAGE IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Aims-To present a non-isotopic procedure for the analysis of the different apolipoprotein E genotypes in normal subjects and patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Methods-Apolipoprotein E genotypes were detected following polymerase chain reaction and miniaturised sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (PhastSystem Pharmacia). Results-The time taken from extraction of DNA from 6 mu l whole blood to the final result was eight hours. The allele frequencies in patients with diabetes mellitus in our series were similar to those found in the control subjects. Conclusions-SDS-PAGE is rapid, reliable and safe with few drawbacks, can be used as a routine procedure and may easily replace apolipoprotein E phenotyping.