Primer specific and mispair extension analysis (PSMEA) as a simple approach to fast genotyping

Abstract

A simple method, primer specific and mispair extension analysis (PSMEA) with pfu DNA polymerase was developed for genotyping. PSMEA is based on the unique properties of 3'→5' exonuclease proofreading activity. In the presence of an incomplete set of dNTPs, pfu was found to be extremely discriminative in nucleotide incorporation and proofreading at the initiation step of DNA synthesis, completely preventing primer extension when mispair(s) are found adjacent to the 3'-end of the primer. This has allowed us to accurately detect nucleotide variations, deletions and insertions for fast genotyping.