title: Effect of fixation to the degradation of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in different tissues.
abstract: Samples of different tissues were preserved in seven fixatives for periods of time extending from 1 to 336 days, to determine which fixatives reduce the time-dependent degradation of DNA and preserve the histological structure. To achieve these results, three PCR systems were used: FGA and TC11 (both for nuclear DNA) and HV1 for mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA). For long-term storage in combination with amplification of nuclear and mt-DNA, consistent results were obtained in Carnoy's solution and glutaraldehyde. Variable results were observed for buffered formalin; an mt-DNA product could be detected even after 3 months of fixation. In regard to comparison of the different tissues, the quantities recovered from skeletal muscles and kidneys were higher than from other tissues.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miething
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hering
authors.forename: Bärbel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanschke
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dressler
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000328:Adult; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics*; D002725:Chloroform; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000032:analysis; D000431:Ethanol; D005404:Fixatives; D005976:Glutaral; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: C033474:Carnoy's solution; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D005404:Fixatives; D000431:Ethanol; D002725:Chloroform; D004247:DNA; D019342:Acetic Acid; D005976:Glutaral