A SNaPshot multiplex typing strategy for mtDNA identification of mouse inbred strains

Abstract Mouse inbred strains have been continuously used for research in numerous fields in laboratories throughout the world. Rapid genotyping methods that allow the distinction of the different strains are important for both the distinction of materials such as tissue and cell collections and to identify the origin of new strains. Taking advantage of the homogeneity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences inside each inbred strain, and of the few mtDNA polymorphisms that differentiate inbred strains, we are reporting a strategy for identification of mtDNA haplotypes of a selected group of priority strains. We present a preliminary version of a SNaPshot multiplex typing strategy that, with only a pair of reactions, allows the distinction between common inbred and wild-derived mice strains, and provides the identification of 10 different common inbred and six wild-derived mice mtDNA haplotypes. We believe that this SNaPshot typing strategy will be of use for researchers that work regularly with mice strains and/or mouse tissues or cell lines. Moreover, it may also prove valuable in forensic identification of materials collected in laboratory accidents as well as in scientific fraud.