In teaching my Forensics class a student asked if teeth could still be used to obtain DNA even if the enamel was cracked and exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. I'm assuming there would be some degradation.
Dear Cynthia:
Yes. Dentin contains genetic material, assuming it can not be obtained from the pulp. Even in burned and crushed teeth, it is possible to obtain DNA.
Regards.
Enamel is an acellular structure. Thus you cannot obtain DNA from enamel.
You can only obtain DNA if you have access to the pulp tissue.
That's correct Benjamin. From pulp, and dentin.
But she did not ask if it can be obtained from the enamel. She asked if teeth could still be used to obtain DNA even if the enamel was cracked and exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
Regards.
Dear Cynthia,
It is a well know fact that Enamel is mostly composed of Inorganic materials, hence DNA Content in Enamel is found to be very rare. Nevertheless dentine contains more DNA, and in addition the pulp contains cells and vessels that are protected by the dentine, cement and enamel, and these are the best sources of DNA in a tooth, to identify human remains or even to do ancient DNA studies.
There are few studies that have followed techniques to isolate DNA from teeth and have been successful. check the following links for better understanding of DNA in teeth.
https://www.quora.com/Does-Enamel-contain-DNA
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799513/
http://www.nature.com/nprot/journal/v2/n7/full/nprot.2007.247.html
Hope you find this needful
Best Wishes
Hello there,
DNA could definitely be obtained regardless the tooth enamel being broken. Teeth and bones are frequently the only sources of DNA available for identification of degraded or fragmented human remains. The unique composition of teeth and their location in the jawbone provide additional protection to DNA compared to bones making them a preferred source of DNA in many cases.
Hope this helps
Regards
Dear Cynthia,
Yes, pulp and dentin countain DNA that could be obtained. Read the interesting article adviced by Ana. Congratulations.
Yes,from the broken teeth we can do the DNA typing. In case the teeth is broken and pulp gets burnt then it may not. be as it may have degraded the sample..
A) Teeth and bones are frequently the only sources of DNA available for identification of degraded or fragmented human remains. The unique composition of teeth and their location in the jawbone provide additional protection to DNA compared to bones making them a preferred source of DNA in many cases.
Enamel acts as a protection to dentin and underlying nerve and at least under the enamel and dentin it is possible to get DNA as covered in Dental DNA fingerprinting in identification of human remains.
Enamel does not contain much DNA, because the ameloblasts which are the cells that produce and transport the enamel proteins and form the mineral deposits, self-destruct after they do their job. They undergo programmed cell death which essentially destroys the DNA.
But dentine contains more DNA, and in addition the pulp contains cells and vessels that are protected by the dentine, cement and enamel, and these are the best sources of DNA in a tooth, to identify human remains or even to do ancient DNA studies. With ancient specimens (where no pulp is left), the dentine part is drilled into a fine powder and the DNA is extracted from there.
So it is possible to extract DNA from a tooth with broken enamel.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284159378_Dna_fingerprinting_using_tooth_as_DNA_source_A_Review
Article Dna fingerprinting using tooth as DNA source : A Review.
hello enamel certainly doesn't have cells its what we call a non vital tissue.the contents are 96 inorganic and 4% organic and water. the organic part is very very small and contains proteins like Amelogenin ,ameloblastin,Enameline and Tuftelin in very very small amount.
DNA of teeth are best obtained from the pulp it contains Fibroblasts and undifferentiated Mesenchymal cells and of course Odotoblasts plus other cellular elements like defense cells and ,lymph vessels ,nerves ,intercelluar substances and fibers .So regardless of the enamel being broken or not the DNA of a tooth can be obtained from the pulp .
Contrary to what many people think about pulp cells (Odontoblasts) being thought of as the major cells in the pulp actually Fibroblasts not the Odontoblasts are the major cells of the pulp
hope that helps
best wishes
Dr.K.A.Galil.Professor of Dentistry
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Aper your question DNA is not feasible to dit from the enamel part while it can be easily done from the dental pulp.There are are number of publications available in the literature. Even in the burnt cases,the DNA still remains protected in the pulp part and is important tissue for unrecognised faces in mas disasters.
Enamel of the teeth is acellular so the major parts to be taken in concern should be Dentin and pulp. Even if enamel is broken if dentin and pulp is alright ,DNA could be obtained.