An alternative protocol for DNA extraction from formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissue.
BACKGROUND
DNA extraction from paraffin wax embedded tissue requires special protocols, and most described methods report an amplification success rate of 60-80%.


OBJECTIVE
To propose a simple and inexpensive protocol consisting of xylene/ethanol dewaxing, followed by a kit based extraction.


METHODS
Xylene/ethanol dewaxing was followed by a long rehydration step and a kit based DNA extraction step.


RESULTS
This method produced a 100% amplification success rate for fragments of 121 to 227 bp for tamponated formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
This cost effective and non-laborious protocol can successfully extract DNA from tamponated formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded tissue and should facilitate the molecular analysis of a large number of archival specimens in retrospective studies.
Coura
R
R
Genetics and Molecular Biology Post-graduation Program, Federal University from Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, CEP 90035-003. recoura@hotmail.com
Prolla
J C
JC
Meurer
L
L
Ashton-Prolla
P
P
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000431:Ethanol; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006801:Humans; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014992:Xylenes
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014992:Xylenes; D005557:Formaldehyde; D000431:Ethanol