ZytoLight^® SPEC PIK3CA/CEN 3 Dual Color Probe

The ZytoLight^® SPEC PIK3CA/CEN 3 Dual Color Probe (PL97) is a direct-labeled FISH probe for the qualitative detection of human PIK3CA gene amplifications and the detection of chromosome 3 alpha satellites in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The probe is intended for use with the ZytoLight FISH-Tissue Implementation Kit.

ZytoLight^® probes enable the precise identification of genetic abnormalities, including translocations, deletions, amplifications, and chromosomal aneuploidies, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections or cytology specimens, without the need for additional antibody-based detection.

Components

The ZytoLight SPEC PIK3CA/CEN 3 Dual Color Probe comprises:

• ZyGreen (excitation 503 nm/emission 528 nm) labeled polynucleotides (~10 ng/µl), targeting sequences mapping in 3q26.32-q26.33* (chr3:178,535,986-179,293,464) harboring the PIK3CA gene region;
• ZyOrange (excitation 547 nm/emission 572 nm) labeled polynucleotides (~1.5 ng/µl), targeting sequences mapping in 3p11.1-q11.1 specific for the alpha satellite centromeric region D3Z1 of chromosome 3;
• Formamide based hybridization buffer

*according to Human Genome Assembly GRCh37/hg19

Principle

The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method enables the identification and visualization of particular nucleic acid sequences within cell samples. DNA fragments labeled with fluorescent dyes, known as FISH probes, are co-denatured with their complementary target DNA strands in the sample and then allowed to hybridize. Following hybridization, non-specific and unbound probe fragments are removed through stringency washes. The DNA is then counterstained with DAPI, and the hybridized probes are detected using a fluorescence microscope equipped with filters matched to the specific fluorochromes used to label the FISH probes.

This probe is intended for use in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens to qualitatively detect human PIK3CA gene amplifications and the detection of chromosome 3 alpha satellites, via FISH.

Using suitable filter sets, the hybridization signals of the probe appear green at the PIK3CA gene region and orange at CEN 3.

• Normal scenario: in normal cells during interphase or cells without a PIK3CA gene region amplification, two green and two orange signals are observed.
• Aberrant scenario: in cells with a PIK3CA gene region amplification, more green signals signal clusters are observed.

Overlapping signals may appear yellow.

ZytoLight is a registered trademark of ZytoVision GmbH in Germany