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.

Noninvasive genotyping of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) by fingernail PCR

“…In addition, DNA sampling from the living marmoset's tail, ear, and skin should be avoided owing to ethical and animal welfare issues. Recently, human fingernail DNA has been reported to be ideal in forensic medicine for identifying DNA (Tie and Uchigasaki 2014). A fingernail can be collected easily in marmosets.…”

Nucleic Acids Persistence—Benefits and Limitations in Forensic Genetics

“…Mini-STR and SNP were used in cases where current STR kits did not allow for obtaining full DNA profiles [ 57 , 58 ]. The above-mentioned advantages made STR polymorphism analysis the main method of DNA identification in forensics [ 59 ].…”

Capillary electrophoresis applied to DNA: determining and harnessing sequence and structure to advance bioanalyses (2009–2014)

“…The material is heavily used in forensics applications. New integrated microfluidics have been applied to methylated DNA using polydimethylacrylamide sieving gel to identify whether a forensic sample source was tissue [ 52 ], body fluid [ 53 ], or semen [ 54 ] and has been utilized to analyze seminal stains as old as 56 years [ 55 ], as well as analyzing polymorphisms of STRs [ 56 ].…”