Scientific background:

Summary: The ASS gene encodes argininosuccinate synthetase, a liver enzyme involved in nitrogen disposal. Loss-of-function mutations affecting this gene cause autosomal recessive citrullinemia type 1 (classic).

Methodology:

	clinical test	Method		Genomic sequencing of the entire coding region
		Turn-around time		25 working days
		Effort		medium
		Specimen		DNA
		Quality assessment		Internal quality control only
	All known and new missense, nonsense and splice mutations can be detected.
	clinical test	Method		Carrier testing
		Turn-around time		5 working days
		Effort		little
		Specimen		DNA
		Quality assessment		Internal quality control only
	The test is only specific about the mutation already known in this kindred.

Literature: 

Kobayashi K et al. (1990) Heterogeneity of mutations in argininosuccinate synthetase causing human citrullinemia.