[24] Molecular methods for analysis of genetic polymorphisms: Application to the molecular genetic study of genes encoding β2-adrenoceptor and stimulatory G protein α subunit

The ability to screen DNA rapidly for small changes in base sequence has revolutionized the search for genetic basis of disease. These techniques have led to the identification of specific mutations that account for the disease phenotype in syndromes such as Albright hereditary osteodystrophy and McCune-Albright syndrome, and have provided polymorphic markers for candidate gene and positional cloning studies of inherited airway hyperresponsiveness. These and additional techniques will continue to accelerate the discovery of the genetic cause of many human diseases.