RAPID DETECTION OF THE FC-GAMMA RIIA-H R(131) LIGAND-BINDING POLYMORPHISM USING AN ALLELE-SPECIFIC RESTRICTION ENZYME DIGESTION (ASRED)/

A polymorphism of the gene for Fc gamma RIIA, arginine (R) or histidin e (H) at position 131, alters the ability of the receptor to bind cert ain IgG subclasses. Identification of the Fc gamma RIIA-H/R(131) genot ype has assumed increasing importance in disorders of host defense, im munohematologic diseases and systemic autoimmune disorders. We report a new method for determination of this genotype in which an allele-spe cific restriction enzyme site is introduced into an Fc gamma RIIA PCR product from genomic DNA, and polymorphism assignment is determined by restriction enzyme digestion followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. This method is more rapid, more reliable and less expensive than curr ently available methods.