therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit CE

For qualitative measurement of somatic mutations in the BRAF oncogene

Products

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit CE is intended for in vitro diagnostic use in Europe.

Features

Compliance with EU IVD Directive 98/79/EC
Sensitive, robust test that can detect low levels of mutant DNA
Ready-to-use system with simple workflow
Highly selective and sensitive due to ARMS and Scorpions PCR technologies

Product Details

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit is a molecular diagnostic kit for detection of somatic mutations in the BRAF gene using real-time PCR on the Rotor-Gene Q MDx 5plex HRM instrument. The kit provides all necessary reagents, optimized for rapid and sensitive detection of a low percentage of mutant DNA in a background of wild-type genomic DNA. ARMS PCR technology combined with the Scorpions detection technology provides exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of specific mutations.

Principle

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit constitutes a ready-to-use kit for the detection of somatic mutations in the BRAF oncogene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the Rotor-Gene Q MDx 5plex HRM instrument. The BRAF gene encodes the kinase V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1, a proto-oncogene that acts downstream of EGFR. The kit enables qualitative measurement of somatic mutations in the BRAF oncogene from genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples.

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit enables detection of the following mutations against a background of wild-type genomic DNA.

V600E (GAG) and V600E complex (GAA)
V600D (GAT)
V600K (AAG)
V600R (AGG)

The kit detects the presence of the V600E (GAG) and V600E complex (GAA) but does not distinguish between them.

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit utilizes two technologies — ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System) and Scorpions — for detection of mutations in real-time PCR.

ARMS

Allele- or mutation-specific amplification is achieved by ARMS. Taq DNA polymerase is effective at distinguishing between a match and a mismatch at the 3' end of a PCR primer. Specific mutated sequences are selectively amplified, even in samples where the majority of the sequences do not carry the mutation. When the primer is fully matched, the amplification proceeds with full efficiency. When the 3' base is mismatched, only low-level background amplification occurs.

Scorpions

Detection of amplification is performed using Scorpions. Scorpions are bifunctional molecules containing a PCR primer covalently linked to a probe. The fluorophore in this probe interacts with a quencher, also incorporated into the probe, that reduces fluorescence. When the probe binds to the amplicon during PCR, the fluorophore and quencher become separated. This leads to an increase in fluorescence from the reaction tube.

Procedure

The therascreen BRAF RGQ PCR Kit comprises a two-step procedure. The first step is performance of the control assay to assess the total DNA in a sample. The second step is to complete the mutation assay to detect the presence or absence of mutated DNA.

Applications