Brain tissue identification based on myosin heavy chain isoforms.
Non-muscle tissues contain 3 myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms; MIIA, MIIB1 and MIIB2. MIIA is a non-muscle type isoform distributed in all non-muscle tissues and smooth-muscle, while MIIB1 and MIIB2 are brain-type isoforms distributed mainly in neuronal tissues. The ratio of MIIA and MIIB (A/B ratio) differs between tissues, suggesting that this ratio may be a useful marker for tissue identification. To apply the A/B ratio for tissue identification in forensic practice, we developed a highly sensitive ELISA for quantification of each MHC isoform. At least 100 pg of both MHC isoforms could be detected by the present method. Analysis of the A/B ratio of the cerebrum, cerebellum, liver, kidney, spleen and andrenal gland by the present method indicated that the A/B ratio of the brain tissue (< 0.5) was quite different from other tissues (> 3.0). The A/B ratio could be determined from at least 8 micrograms of fresh tissue sample and 0.1 mg of dried tissue sample stored for 1 month at room temperature. Therefore, the A/B ratio seems to be an excellent marker for identification of the brain tissue.
Kimura
A
A
Department of Legal Medicine, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
Ikeda
H
H
Yasuda
S
S
Yamaguchi
K
K
Tsuji
T
T
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D015879:Myosin Subfragments / Q000032:analysis*; D009218:Myosins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D009928:Organ Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015879:Myosin Subfragments; D009218:Myosins