[Fast detection of Alu DNA in human tissues by Alu-PCR]

This paper reports a direct PCR method for the detection of Alu DNA in 18 different kinds of human tissue using primers of Alu 9.1 and Alu 9.2 without DNA extraction. The results showed that besides fresh tissues, some formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues can be correctly analyzed with PCR. Different amounts of PCR products were obtained from different types of tissues. The duration of fixation in formalin is an important factor exerting an influence on the quantity of the high molecular weight DNA and the results of PCR. No obvious influence of the duration of storage of paraffin embedded tissues on the PCR results was observed. This method is quite simple, sensitive and rapid to perform. It can be performed under a condition of avoiding contamination of DNA and DNase as well as the detrimental phenol and chloroform.