Extraction of DNA from oral cytological samples by scraping and smear method suitable for restriction site mutation analysis: A pilot study

The restriction site mutation assay (RSM) can be used to measure base chang es which occur in the DNA coding for bacterial restriction enzymes, The aim of this study was to investigate whether DNA, of sufficient quantity, and quality for analysis by RSM, could be extracted from cells collected from p recancerous lesions using a cytological smear technique, Six smears were co llected from each of five lesions of leukoplakia displaying a variety of cl inical appearances. Three methods for the extraction of DNA were compared. The commercial extraction method was shown to be most convenient and reprod ucible, routinely providing 1-5 mug of DNA per sample. Cell populations col lected by a Cytological smear technique can provide DNA of sufficient quant ity and quality for analysis of RSM. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.