Application of fluorescent substrates to the in situ detection of prostate specific antigen.
The forensic identification of body fluids frequently presents an important source of genetic material and investigative interpretation. However, presumptive testing techniques presently employed in the discrimination of biological fluids are subject to criticism for poor specificity, lack of fluid localisation ability and detrimental effects on DNA recovery rates. The recognition of fluid-specific biomarkers by fluorogenic substrates may provide a novel resolution to these issues but research has yet to establish any pertinent in situ fluid detection applicability. This study therefore utilises a fluorogenic substrate (Mu-HSSKLQ-AFC) specific to the seminal protein prostate specific antigen in an effort to detect human semen deposited on a number of surfaces typical to criminal investigation. The ability of fluorescent fluorogenic substrates to simultaneously identify and visualise biological fluids in situ is demonstrated for the first time, whilst the production of complete STR profiles from fluid sources is also confirmed to be completely unaffected by substrate application.
Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, King׳s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
James
J
Gooch
Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, King׳s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
Barbara
B
Daniel
Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, King׳s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK. Electronic address: nunzianda.frascione@kcl.ac.uk.
Nunzianda
N
Frascione
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012661:Semen; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014556:Urine
D015415:Biomarkers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D004247:DNA; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
Fluorogenic substrate; In situ testing; PSA