Molecular diagnostics · USMLE Step 1

Which method can be used to detect a known deletion of several exons in a gene (copy-number variation) when sequencing fails to reliably quantify copy number?

  1. Conventional PCR with one single primer pair
  2. Sanger sequencing of the candidate region
  3. MLPA or a copy-number microarray assay
  4. Western blot for the encoded protein
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Correct answer: MLPA or a copy-number microarray assay

Techniques like MLPA or copy-number arrays (e.g., aCGH) are designed to detect deletions or duplications of exons or gene regions (copy-number variations), which sequencing may miss due to limitations in quantifying gene dosage.

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