Evaluation of MASSARRAY technique in detecting mitochondrial disease mutations

Mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), leading to impaired energy production, cellular dysfunction, and tissue damage. Accurate and efficient detection of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is crucial for diagnosis and patient management. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MassARRAY in detecting mtDNA mutations compared to the routinely used MLPA technique. 34 EDTA blood samples from patients with suspected mitochondrial disorders were analyzed using MassARRAY and MLPA methods. MassARRAY was customized to detect 14 mtDNA loci, while MLPA targeted six fixed genetic loci. Both techniques detected five positive cases: three with the m.11778G > A mutation (8.82%) and two with the m.14484 T > C mutation (5.88%). Additionally, MassARRAY uniquely identified the m.12026 A > G mutation and a heteroplasmic m.12258C > A variant (2.94%). MassARRAY also demonstrated advantages in terms of rapid turnaround time (approximately 8 h) and assay flexibility. In conclusion, MassARRAY offers a highly accurate and efficient alternative for detecting mtDNA mutations, with the added benefit of customizable probes. However, sequencing confirmation is recommended for broader mutation coverage. • The MassARRAY technique is a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective technique for detecting mtDNA mutations. • The study strongly recommends the use of sequencing techniques to confirm results whenever discrepancies are detected between different testing methods. • MassARRAY could be considered as a first-tier screening tool for mitochondrial mutations, with sequencing confirmation playing a crucial role in the process.