QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF DYSTROPHIN GENE AMPLIFICATION PRODUCTS USINGA PC-BASED IMAGE-ANALYSIS SYSTEM

A PC-based image analysis system for gel photographs of DNA gel patter ns was developed. It was originally designed as a general-purpose, low -cost, yet high-performance system for wide applications in the biomed ical area. In this study, we performed analysis of gel images obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The system employs a high-resolution CCD camera that can accurately measure grayness of t he gel photographs for quantitative analysis of PCR products. The targ et DNA (exon 52 of the dystrophin gene), which had been found to be de leted in some patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BM D), was amplified for the female family members together with the cont rol DNA (exon 60) as a reference. The ratio of the target DNA to the c ontrol DNA was determined from PCR products to identify the carrier st atus of this disease by means of gene dosage. We conclude that 'the PC -based image analysis system' was useful for quantitative deletion ana lysis of DMD/BMD heterozygotes.