Methods for identification of alleles using allele-specific primers for amplification

1. A method for determining one or more polymorphisms in a sample comprising the steps of:

(a) performing multiple PCR amplifications with 1) a sample genomic DNA as a template; 2) a group of primers comprising one or more allele-specific primers for a target gene, a universal primer and a common primer; and 3) a DNA polymerase without 3′-5′ exonuclease activity,

wherein each allele-specific primer comprises a unique tag sequence linked to the 5′ end of a nucleotide sequence which is identical or complementary to a target gene sequence containing a polymorphic locus; the T m difference between different tag sequences equals or is less than 5° C.; and the tag sequences have no cross-hybridization among themselves or with the group of primers, have low homology to the species of the sample genomic DNA, and no hairpin structures; and

wherein the common primer comprises, from 5′ to 3′, a nucleotide sequence identical to the nucleotide sequence of the universal primer and a nucleotide sequence which is identical or complementary to a sequence on the sample genomic DNA, wherein each said allele-specific primer and said common primer generate a DNA fragment containing the polymorphic locus from PCR amplifications, and wherein said universal primer increases the amount of single strand amplification product comprising a complementary sequence of the tag sequence of each allele-specific primer;

b) hybridizing the PCR products generated in step a) to an array comprising tag probes, wherein each tag probe comprises one of said tag sequences in said allele-specific primers, and each said tag probe is able to hybridize to the complementary sequence in the PCR products; and

c) determining the polymorphic genotype based on the hybridization signal and the position of the tag probe hybridized with the PCR products on the array,

wherein the polymorphic locus is associated with hereditary deafness and is selected from the group consisting of: 35delG, 167delT, 176del16, 235delC, and 299delAT of GJB2; 538 C>T and 547 G>A of GJB3; 707 T>C, 2168 A>G, and IVS7-2 A>G of SLC26A4; and 1555 A>G of 12S rRNA, and

wherein a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 are used to detect the 35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 are used to detect the 167delT mutation in the GJB2 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 are used to detect the 176del16 mutation in the GJB2 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 are used to detect the 235delC mutation in the GJB2 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 are used to detect the 299delAT mutation in the GJB2 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:11 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 are used to detect the 538 C>T mutation in the GJB3 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:14 are used to detect the 547 G>A mutation in the GJB3 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 are used to detect the 707 T>C mutation in the SLC26A4 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 are used to detect the 2168 A>G mutation in the SLC26A4 gene; a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 are used to detect the IVS7-2 A>G mutation in the SLC26A4 gene; and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 and a primer comprising the tag sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 are used to detect the 1555 A>G mutation in the 12S rRNA gene.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the universal primer and the common primer are labeled with a detectable molecule.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the PCR amplifications are conducted in one tube or in multiple tubes.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more allele-specific primers comprises two primers, wherein one primer comprises a nucleotide sequence which is identical or complementary to the sequence of the wildtype allele, and another primer comprises a nucleotide sequence which is identical or complementary to the sequence of the allelic variation.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said two primers further comprise an artificial nucleotide mismatch, wherein the mismatch is a natural nucleotide or an analog.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the T m difference between the universal primer and allele-specific primers equals or is less than 5° C., and wherein the universal primer does not form hairpin structures and dimers with other primers, and has low homology to the species of the sample genomic DNA and no cross-hybridization to said tag sequence.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the array comprises the twenty-two different tag probes set forth in SEQ ID NOs:1-22.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the array comprises at least four nucleotide sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs:1-22.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the detectable molecule is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent molecule, a biotin, a chemiluminescence molecule, a microparticle, and a nanoparticle.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the genotypes of polymorphisms in more than one target gene are determined.