OLAgen: A Software Tool for Reagent Design to Expand Access to Single Nucleotide Variant Detection by the Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay.

Publication date: Jan 14, 2025

Single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and polymorphisms (SNPs) are characteristic biomarkers in various biological contexts, including pathogen drug resistances and human diseases. Tools that lower the implementation barrier of molecular SNV detection methods would provide greater leverage of the expanding SNP/SNV database. The oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) is a highly specific means for detection of known SNVs and is especially powerful when coupled with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Yet, the OLA design process remains intensive and criteria for success is uncertain. To assist in the design process, this study describes OLAgen, an open-source tool to automate development of OLAs and their coupled PCR assays. The software facilitates alignment of sequences surrounding SNVs and generates ligation probes while screening for dimerization potential. OLAgen successfully produced ligation probes that closely matched previously validated designs for HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and KRAS, confirming its reliability and potential for clinical applications. The tool was used to generate new assays targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance and variants in the human JAK2, BRAF, and Factor V genes, all of which demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity in controlled laboratory experiments. The OLAgen predicted assay designs detected mutant frequencies as low as 1-5% in wild-type backgrounds in proof-of-concept laboratory studies. OLAgen represents a significant advancement in accessible assay design, promoting the broader application of OLA technology in clinical and research settings.

Concepts Keywords
Biomarkers Assay
Hiv Coupled
Oligonucleotide Design
Wild Detection
Drug
Ligation
Nucleotide
Ola
Olagen
Oligonucleotide
Pcr
Process
Single
Snv
Snvs

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease IDO reagent
disease IDO assay
disease IDO pathogen
disease IDO process
drug DRUGBANK Spinosad

Original Article

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