title: Detection of short tandem repeat polymorphisms from human nails using direct polymerase chain reaction method.
abstract: Human nail is an important forensic material for parental testing and individual identification in large-scale disasters. Detection of STR polymorphism from hard tissues generally requires DNA purification, which is technically complicated and time consuming. In the present study, we attempted to detect STR polymorphisms from untreated human nail samples by direct PCR amplification method using the primer mixture supplied with the GenePrint® SilverSTR® III System or the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® PCR Amplification Kit, and Tks Gflex DNA polymerase known to be effective for amplification from crude samples. A nail fragment measuring approximately 1.5 mm in breadth and 0.5 mm in length was placed directly into a PCR tube, and various PCR conditions were tested. The PCR products were analyzed by denaturing acrylamide gel electrophoresis or CE. Multiple STR polymorphisms were detected successfully. This method that detects STR polymorphisms not only from fresh human fingernails, but also from old nail fragments stored at room temperature for up to 10 years is expected to become a novel DNA analytical method in forensic medicine and genetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tie
authors.forename: Seisaku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchigasaki
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Direct multiplex PCR; Forensic identification; Human fingernail; STR polymorphisms