A PCR-based protocol to accurately size C9orf72 intermediate-length alleles

Abstract

Although large expansions of the non-coding GGGGCC repeat in C9orf72 gene are clearly defined as pathogenic for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), intermediate-length expansions have also been associated with those and other neurodegenerative diseases. Intermediate-length allele sizing is complicated by intrinsic properties of current PCR-based methodologies, in that somatic mosaicism could be suspected. We designed a protocol that allows the exact sizing of intermediate-length alleles, as well as the identification of large expansions.

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; C9orf72 expansion; Frontotemporal lobar degeneration; Intermediate-length hexanucleotide repeats; Parkinsonism; Repeat-primed PCR.