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Stability of protein and mRNA in human postmortem liver--analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

J M Finger1, J F Mercer, R G Cotton

  • 1Murdoch Institute for Research into Birth Defects, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|December 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Human liver proteins and mRNA are stable post mortem for up to 2 hours at 37°C or 16 hours at 4°C, allowing reliable autopsy studies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Forensic Science

Background:

  • Postmortem changes in biological tissues can affect molecular integrity.
  • Understanding the stability of proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA) is crucial for accurate postmortem analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the stability of protein and mRNA in postmortem human liver tissue.
  • To determine the feasibility of conducting molecular studies on liver samples collected under standard autopsy conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) was employed.
  • Analysis of protein electrophoretic mobility.
  • Analysis of in vitro translation products of mRNA.

Main Results:

  • Protein electrophoretic mobility remained largely unchanged after incubation.
  • mRNA in vitro translation products showed minimal alteration in mobility.
  • Incubation at 37°C for up to 2 hours did not significantly affect molecular integrity.
  • Incubation at 4°C for up to 16 hours also demonstrated stability.

Conclusions:

  • Major protein and mRNA species in human liver exhibit significant stability postmortem.
  • Standard autopsy conditions are suitable for collecting liver tissue for meaningful molecular investigations.
  • Findings support the reliability of postmortem liver analysis in biochemical and molecular studies.

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