genotyping of polymorphic microsatellite markers linked to rb1 locus in iranian population

background: retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in childhood and mutation in the rb1 gene will trigger the tumorigenesis. so far, a wide range of the mutations along the length of rb1 gene have been reported. however, some could not be detected by common detection methods. in such condition, linkage analysis using microsatellite markers is suggested to trace unknown rb1 mutations in the affected family. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the heterozygosity rates and genotyping of three microsatellite markers near or inside of the rb1 gene. methods: totally, 120 unrelated healthy people from fardis, karaj, iran were recruited and from each participant genomic dna was extracted from 5 ml of peripheral blood. three microsatellite markers d13s153, d13s156 and d13s128 located within or adjacent to the rb1 gene were selected for linkage analysis. the reliability of microsatellite markers and linkage analysis were investigated in 10 members of 2 families with familial retinoblastoma. results: our results showed that heterozygosity rates for the three markers d13s153, d13s156 and d13s128 were 74, 70 and 78%, respectively. on the other hand, 2 and 36 out of 120 people were homozygote and heterozygous for all loci, respectively. conclusion: given the heterozygosity rates, it may be concluded that all microsatellite markers d13s153, d13s156 and d13s128 are informative and have a high rate of heterozygosity and sensitivity. therefore, tracing the unknown rb1 mutated alleles using linkage analysis in iranian family with familial retinoblastoma could be recommended by means of these three microsatellite markers.