Mitochondrial DNA extraction and typing from isolated dentin-experimental evaluation in a Korean population.

This study reports mtDNA polymorphisms in both hypervariable segments HV1 and HV2 of the non coding D-loop region from 60 unrelated Koreans. In contrast to two previous Korean data base studies, mtDNA was extracted separately from pulp tissue and root dentin of teeth obtained from dentists. Dentin turned out to be a reliable source of mitochondrial DNA. This can be of practical importance in forensic identification case work after a long post-mortem interval since pulp decomposes rapidly. The extraction method is explained in detail. The mtDNA polymorphisms obtained from 60 teeth of unrelated Koreans were compared with the already existing Korean data base.