ISOLATION OF DNA FROM ARCHIVAL PAPANICOLAOU STAINED CYTOLOGICAL SMEARS USING A SIMPLE SALTING-OUT PROCEDURE

DNA from archival Papanicolaou stained and unstained cytological smear s was successfully isolated using a simple, rapid and inexpensive salt ing-out procedure. The quality of DNA was controlled by polymerase cha in reaction (PCR) amplification of segments of the human beta-globin, human beta-actin and human papillomavirus L1 genes. Only negligible di fferences in amplification efficiency were observed between DNA isolat ed from stained and unstained smears. The salting-out procedure is a m ore rapid method for the isolation of DNA than phenol-chloroform extra ction and may be used in instances where fresh or cryopreserved clinic al specimens are nor available.