DETECTION OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN LEUKEMIA USING DNA FROM ARCHIVAL BONE-MARROW SMEARS

We describe a simple PCR method to detect highly polymorphic repetitiv e DNA markers (microsatellites) in leukaemia using DNA from fresh and archival bone marrow smears. Neither the period of storage nor stainin g of the slides affected microsatellite PCR. Comparison of slide DNA w ith constitutive DNA from buccal epithelium revealed loss of heterozyg osity (LOH) with at least one marker in four of 11 leukaemias. Marrow smears offer an attractive archival source of DNA for the detection of microsatellite markers. Applications include detection of LOH or trac ing the origin of cell populations, e.g. in bone marrow transplant rec ipients.