International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (IJMCM)

  Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting autosomal recessive disorder affecting principally respiratory and digestive system . It is caused by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of repeat numbers and the degree of heterozygosity for c.3499+200TA(7_56) and D7S523 located in intron 17b and 1 cM proximal to the CFTR gene respectively. Both microsatellites were analyzed by direct electrophoresis of PCR product on 20% polyacrylamide gel in 40 Normal subjects and 40 CF patients originating from North Iran. 9 different alleles were found for D7S523 ranging from 16 to 24 repeats alleles. (CA)₂₀ was the most prevalent allele both in normal individuals and CF patients with 21.3% and 20% frequencies respectively. Heterozygosity frequency of D7S523 in normal individuals and CF patients was 97.5% and 90% respectively. Eighteen different alleles were found for c.3499+200TA(7_56) ranging from 8 to 38 repeats alleles. (TA)₉ was the most prevalent allele both in normal individuals and CF patients with 30% and 23.5% frequencies respectively. All normal subjects and 97.5% of CF patients showed heterozyous genotype. The high heterozygosity of the two studied microsatellites witnesses the dynamism of such markers. High degree of heterozygosity of c.3499+200TA(7_56) and D7S523 make these markers, a very useful tool for prenatal diagnosis especially in Iranian population.