title: Protamine mRNA as molecular marker for spermatozoa in semen stains.
abstract: Cytological detection of spermatozoa with subsequent DNA analysis is the most important biological evidence in sexual crimes when suitable samples are available. Immunological and enzymatic detection of semen-specific proteins may be helpful but cannot replace specific identification of spermatozoa. We have recently shown that detection of cell-specific gene expression can be used to identify menstrual blood. In this paper we demonstrate that the basic nucleoproteins protamine 1 and 2 are suitable markers for spermatozoa because they are exclusively expressed in the haploid genome and that protamine mRNA can be detected in semen stains by the highly sensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). With semi-nested PCR, 10-100 spermatozoa are theoretically sufficient to provide positive amplification results, with hot-start PCR at least 100-1,000 cells are required corresponding to an average semen volume of 0.01-0.1 microl. This new method thus allows specific identification of spermatozoa with molecular biology tools and may broaden the spectrum of investigations in the forensic laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 3, 97078 Würzburg, Germany. reme005@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patzelt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011479:Protamines / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D012463:Saliva; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D012742:Sex Offenses; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: C082073:PRM1 protein, human; D011479:Protamines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C068621:protamine 2