Question

Describe how a normal patient vs a HD patient differ in gel analysis of the trinucleotide repeat in the Huntingtin gene.

Answer 1

In gel analysis, a normal patient and a HD patient differ in the number and size of DNA fragments obtained from the trinucleotide repeat in the Huntingtin gene.

Step-by-step explanation:

In gel analysis of the trinucleotide repeat in the Huntingtin gene, a normal patient and a HD (Huntington's disease) patient would differ in the number and size of DNA fragments obtained. In a normal gene, four DNA fragments are obtained with 88, 181, 201, and 256 base pairs. In a heterozygous individual, five DNA fragments are obtained containing 88, 181, 201, 256, and 382 base pairs. In a homozygous individual, only three fragments are obtained with 88, 256, and 382 base pairs.