Mutation-specific PCR: a rapid and inexpensive diagnostic method, as exemplified by mitochondrial DNA analysis in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy

Development of reverse dot-blot system for screening of mitochondrial DNA mutations associated with Leber hereditary optic atrophy

We developed a diagnostic test based on the reverse dot-blot principle, in which five mitochondrial point mutations responsible for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) were screened simultaneously. A series of wild-type and mutant oligonucleotides representing each mutation were covalently bound to a single nylon membrane strip. The target sites were amplified in a multiplex PCR and the products were hybridized to the membrane. Detection is based on chemiluminescence. To test the developed assay, 47 patients suspected of having LHON were screened. In 11 cases (23%) the diagnosis of LHON could be confirmed (3460, 1; 9804, 1; 11778, 5; 14484, 3; 15257, 1). The results suggest that the clinical identification of the mitochondrial defect is not trivial and the availability of a rapid screening method simplifies the molecular analysis of these cases.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy associated with a disorder indistinguishable from multiple sclerosis in a male harbouring the mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation

This report describes a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disorder in a male patient with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) harbouring the mitochondrial DNA 11778 base pair mutation. Given the population frequencies of MS and LHON, coincidental occurrence is unlikely. Hypothetically the mitochondrial mutation underlying LHON may contribute to presumably immunologically mediated involvement of other myelinated axons in the central nervous system in susceptible individuals, producing a disorder indistinguishable from MS. We recommend that investigation for oligoclonal bands in CSF, evoked potentials and MR brain scan in these patients be supplemented with mitochondrial DNA analysis.