Oligonucleotide probes for the genomic typifying of erythrocyte systems, methods and relative diagnostic kits

1. Oligonucleotide probes amino-modified at the 5′ end having a sequence length ranging from 16 to 20 nucleotides, said sequence being characterized in that it comprises, at the centre, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the Kidd erythrocyte system which is specific for the alleleic variants of the gene coding for said polymorphism and said oligonucleotide probes hybridizing with said alleles, wherein said gene is the Kidd gene said probes having the sequence: (a) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT CCT CAA ATG-3′ or (b) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT TCT CAA ATG-3′.

2. The probes according to claim 1 , said probes are conjugated with a microparticle or set of microparticles marked with at least one fluorescent substance.

3. Use of the oligonucleotide probes as defined in claim 1 for the identification and genomic erythrocyte typing of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism of the blood group in heterozygote and homozygote individuals.

4. Microparticles marked with at least one fluorescent substance having carboxylic groups on the surface, characterized in that they are conjugated with the probes as defined in claim 1 .

5. A method for the identification of and typing for at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the blood group in heterozygote and homozygote individuals, comprising the following phases: a) DNA extraction from a biological sample; b) amplification via PCR of the gene fragment comprising the single nucleotide polymorphism of the Kidd erythrocyte system to be analyzed by means of specific primers of which at least one is marked at the 5′ end with biotin to obtain biotinylated PCR products; c) conjugation of an oligonucleotide probe, having the sequence (i) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT CCT CAA ATG-3′ or (ii) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT TCT CAA ATG-3′ with a microparticle or a set of micro-particles marked with at least one fluorescent substance; d) hybridization of the biotinylated PCR products of phase b) with the conjugated products of phase c) and detection with the addition of streptavidine-phycoerythrin,] and e) detection of the fluorescence.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the primers of phase b) have the following sequences: i) Forward 5′-CAT GCT GCC ATA GGA TCA TTGC-3′ upsilon and Reverse 5′-GAG CCA GGA GGT GGG TTT GC-3′.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the primer I) is biotinylated at the 5′ end.

8. A diagnostic kit for the identification and genomic erythrocyte typifying of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the Kidd erythrocyte system of the blood group in heterozygote and homozygote individuals, comprising the following components: a) a set of primers for amplification by PCR of the gene comprising the single nucleotide polymorphism of the Kidd erythrocyte system; and b) oligonucleotide probes having the sequences (iii) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT CCT CAA ATG-3′ or (iv) 5′-AmC12AGT AGA TGT TCT CAA ATG-3′, conjugated with a microparticle or a set of microparticles marked with at least one fluorescent substance, said probes being capable of hybridizing with said single nucleotide polymorphism.

9. The diagnostic kit according to claim 8 , wherein the primers of have the following sequences: i) Forward 5′-CAT GCT GCC ATA GGA TCA TTGC-3′ and Reverse 5′-GAG CCA GGA GGT GGG TTT GC-3′.

10. The diagnostic kit according to claim 9 wherein the primer i) is biotinylated at the 5′.