Telomere measurement by quantitative PCR

RM Cawthon - Nucleic acids research, 2002 - academic.oup.com
Nucleic acids research, 2002academic.oup.com
It has long been presumed impossible to measure telomeres in vertebrate DNA by PCR
amplification with oligonucleotide primers designed to hybridize to the TTAGGG and
CCCTAA repeats, because only primer dimer-derived products are expected. Here we
present a primer pair that eliminates this problem, allowing simple and rapid measurement
of telomeres in a closed tube, fluorescence-based assay. This assay will facilitate
investigations of the biology of telomeres and the roles they play in the molecular …
Abstract
It has long been presumed impossible to measure telomeres in vertebrate DNA by PCR amplification with oligonucleotide primers designed to hybridize to the TTAGGG and CCCTAA repeats, because only primer dimer-derived products are expected. Here we present a primer pair that eliminates this problem, allowing simple and rapid measurement of telomeres in a closed tube, fluorescence-based assay. This assay will facilitate investigations of the biology of telomeres and the roles they play in the molecular pathophysiology of diseases and aging.
Oxford University Press