Here we report an improved, simple method to assign the human apolipop
rotein (ape) E genotype and its isoforms, apo E2, apo E3, and apo E4.
Genomic DNA was amplified with specific primers that included the poly
morphic region of amino acids 112 and 158. Digestion of the product wi
th Hhal resulted in unique fragments that were separated on Meta-Phor
agarose instead of polyacrylamide. The pattern of unique DNA fragments
obtained unequivocally characterizes the different apo E alleles.