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 diffe rent apolipoprotein E genotypes in normal subjects and patients with n on-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Methods-Apolipoprotein E genot ypes were detected following polymerase chain reaction and miniaturise d sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE ) (PhastSystem Pharmacia). Results-The time taken from extraction of D NA from 6 mu l whole blood to the final result was eight hours. The al lele 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 routi ne procedure and may easily replace apolipoprotein E phenotyping.