Multiplex PCR development of Y-chromosomal biallelic polymorphisms for forensic application

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of Y chromosome (Y-SNPs) are a class of markers of interest in forensic investigations, because many of them show regional specificity, providing useful information about the geographic origin of a subject or evidence under investigation. A first multiplex with 7 SNPs (M35, M89, M9, M170, M172, M45, M173), which occur in the basal branches of the phylogenetic tree and are able to assign a subject to known most frequent European haplogroups, was designed. SNP genotyping was accomplished by hot-start PCR with primers amplifying fragments between 96 and 136 nucleotides, minisequencing, and capillary electrophoresis of extension products. Ninety seven subjects of known geographic provenance were studied, of which 68 from Europe. Of these, 57 had mutations found more frequently in European haplogroups and 11 more frequent in Asian populations. Subjects from non-European countries were also examined and had haplogroups common in their regions of provenance. Experiments with low molecular weight DNA gave positive amplification from 1 ng of DNA for all seven SNPs.     

Development of multiplex PCRs for evolutionary and forensic applications of 37 human Y chromosome SNPs

This work describes an efficient and rapid test for typing 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the non-recombining region of Y chromosome (NRY) from a minimal amount of DNA using six PCR multiplexes. Markers were drawn following a hierarchical strategy based on the phylogenetic tree of Y chromosome proposed by the Y Chromosome Consortium [The Y Chromosome Consortium, A nomenclature system for the tree of human Y-chromosomal binary haplogroups, Genome Res. 12 (2002) 339-348]. Two multiplexes--arbitrarily named MY1 and MY2--were developed to explore the basal branches of the tree encompassing all the major clades A-R: MY1 for markers M35, M89, M172, M170, M9, M173, M45 and MY2 for markers M52, M216, M174, M181, M201, M91, M96, M214. Four multiplexes able of typing the more superficial branches typical of most frequent European haplogroups E3b, J2, R1 and I, were also developed and named MY-E3b (M78, M107, M224, M165, M148, M81), MY-J2 (M158, M68, M47, M102, M137, M67), MY-R1 (M17, M269, M18, P25, SRY10831.2) and MY-I (M72, M223, M26, M21, M161). SNP genotyping was carried out by hot-start PCR amplification with primers yielding fragments between 63 and 210 nucleotides, followed by minisequencing reaction based on dideoxy single-base extension and capillary electrophoresis of extension products. The sequential application of these multiplexes is a robust and effective resource for typing the most frequent European Y-SNP haplogroups, and appears to be suitable for forensic purposes and evolutionary studies.     

47个SNPs复合检测方法的建立及其法医学应用

目的建立47-plexSNPs复合检测方法，评价其在法医学中的应用价值。方法筛选46个常染色体SNPs和1个Y—SNPs，使用2个检测体系分别对47个SNPs进行单管内复合PCR扩增，采用荧光标记单碱基延伸法和毛细管电泳检测技术进行分型检测；并用建立的方法对260份广东地区无关个体血样进行47个SNPs分型。结果建立的47-plex SNPs的复合检测体系灵敏度高，种属特异性好；260名个体所有SNPs均能准确分型，群体内基因型频率分布均符合Hardy—Weinberg平衡，累积个人识别率大于0．9999，累积非父排除率为0．99982，累积偶合率为6．24×10一。结论本文47-plex SNPs复合检测方法能同时对47个SNPs进行快速、准确的检测，在法医学个体识别鉴定中具有良好的应用前景。     

微测序技术检测12个Y—SNP及其遗传多态性

目的应用SNaPshotKit对Y染色体上12个SNP位点进行快速而准确的检测,对四川地区78个汉族男性无关个体进行群体遗传学研究,并对陈旧骨骼和性犯罪案件的相关物证进行检验。方法对SRY2627、SRY1532、M13、M20、SRY8299、Tat、M69及M9、92R7、M17、M19、M112两组共12个Y-SNP位点进行复合扩增,PCR产物经纯化处理后,采用SNaPshotKit试剂结合毛细管电泳技术对单核苷酸多态性进行检测。结果建立了12个Y-SNP位点的微测序快速检测系统,在四川地区人群中发现M9、SRY8299二个位点存在变异。结论复合扩增结合微测序技术能够同时对多个Y-SNP的多态性进行快速而准确的检测,建立的检测系统在法医学个体识别中具有应用价值。     

Validation and casework application of a Y chromosome specific STR multiplex

A series of validation experiments was performed for a Y chromosome specific STR multiplex system following the suggestions made by the Technical Working Group DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM). The multiplex PCR products were detected on Perkin-Elmer 373 and 377 automated sequencers using two labeling colors. No problems regarding the stability, robustness and sensitivity of the Y STR multiplex were observed. Mixture studies revealed a cut off rate similar to autosomal STRs for mixtures of male DNAs and no interference of any female admixture. The comparison of the Y STR results to the autosomal typing results for 56 nonprobative semen stains and swabs, showed a slightly higher success rate in detecting the semen donor's alleles for the Y STR multiplex. Two examples are shown to illustrate the usefulness of Y STR typing for DNA mixtures. In one case the Y STR results confirmed an isolated exclusion; in the other case, the interpretation of a mixture was clarified since the Y STR results proved the presence of DNA from at least two semen donors. Y STR typing is a valuable addition to the forensic DNA testing panel.     

Validation and casework application of a Y chromosome specific STR multiplex

A series of validation experiments was performed for a Y chromosome specific STR multiplex system following the suggestions made by the Technical Working Group DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM). The multiplex PCR products were detected on Perkin-Elmer 373 and 377 automated sequencers using two labeling colors. No problems regarding the stability, robustness and sensitivity of the Y STR multiplex were observed. Mixture studies revealed a cut off rate similar to autosomal STRs for mixtures of male DNAs and no interference of any female admixture. The comparison of the Y STR results to the autosomal typing results for 56 nonprobative semen stains and swabs, showed a slightly higher success rate in detecting the semen donor’s alleles for the Y STR multiplex. Two examples are shown to illustrate the usefulness of Y STR typing for DNA mixtures. In one case the Y STR results confirmed an isolated exclusion; in the other case, the interpretation of a mixture was clarified since the Y STR results proved the presence of DNA from at least two semen donors. Y STR typing is a valuable addition to the forensic DNA testing panel.     

Y-SNPs analysis using two different approaches in a Northern Portugal male population sample

The non-recombining portion of the human Y (NRY) chromosome has various types of variation, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In spite of their low discrimination power, they provide a powerful and simple exclusion tool for forensic purposes. A special advantage of SNPs is that it can potentially detect smaller DNA fragments (analysis of degraded DNA).The aim of this work consisted in the analysis of a group of SNP polymorphisms (M2, M9, M35, M89, M45, M170, M172, M173, M207 and P25) in a Northern Portugal male population sample, which allows the determination of the most common European haplogroups, including the Northern Portugal ones.The method used for typing these polymorphisms was the real-time PCR with TaqMan probes on the ABI 7000 platform (Applied Biosystems).We had some difficulties in typing some of the markers using this approach. However, the preliminary results obtained for the defined haplogroups are in accordance with those described in close European populations. To confirm the typing and solve the doubts that emerged from the real-time approach, the samples were also typed using SNapShot.     

The use of the LightCycler for the detection of Y chromosome SNPs

A novel methodology based on PCR monitoring on-line with fluorescent formats using the LightCycler for Y chromosome SNP typing is proposed. The main advantages of the system are the time necessary for the analysis (which is around 20 min), the robustness and the accuracy of the method and especially its sensitivity, which permits the detection of the male component in male-female mixtures up to 1:300 for some of the SNPs.Singleplexes of four different SNPs (M9, sY81, SRY-1532 and SRY-2627) as well as two duplexes (M9 and sY81 on the one hand and SRY-1532 and SRY-2627 on the other) were efficiently implemented. A simultaneous amplification and analysis of the four SNPs is also possible. It seems difficult with the current methodology to implement more than a quadruplex.     

基于等位基因特异性PCR原理建立的SNP分型新方法

目的建立一种新方法,对多个单核苷酸多态性(singlenucleotidepolymorphism,SNP)位点进行分型。方法基于等位基因特异性PCR原理,采用荧光标记复合扩增和毛细管电泳技术,根据PCR片段长度差异进行分型。选择SNP位点共11个,每个SNP位点设计两条长度不同、3’末端分别与SNP两个等位基因碱基配对的上游引物,同时为了增加特异性,在两条等位基因上游引物的3’末端第3或第4位碱基人为引入错配。在距离上游引物100～300bp范围内的合适位置,设计下游共用引物,并进行荧光标记。所有位点经过复合扩增后,PCR产物经ABIPrismTM310型遗传分析仪电泳分离,确定每个SNP的基因型。结果每个SNP位点纯合子为单一产物峰,杂合子则为长度不同的两个产物峰。不同的SNP位点扩增产物长度不同,根据产物长度和产物峰的数量进行SNP分型,一次完成11个SNP位点分型,其结果与直接测序完全一致。结论荧光标记复合扩增片段长度差异等位基因特异性PCR法是一种简单快速而有效的SNP分型新方法。     

High-performance LAMP-based method for human sex identification using Y chromosome-specific genetic markers

Finding fast and cheap strategies for DNA typing and human sample identification is of interest in forensic science. We report a new versatile alternative for molecular sex determination using Y-specific targets (TSPY, TTTY, alphoid regions, and Y-Amelogenin). This system uses an isothermal loop-mediated DNA amplification (LAMP) with a set of 6 primers for each target, designed to improve sensibility and specificity, and reducing detection time to only 45 min. Furthermore, detecting the different targets on the Y chromosome either individually or in combination revealed accurate results. Assay sensitivity was determined with a mixture of human female and male DNA at different concentrations to mimic forensic samples. Single primer sets showed high sensitivity at DNA concentrations ranging from 58.6 to 3.7 pg/µL. When a combined primers set was used, sensitivity yielded a detection as low as 0.1 pg/µL of male DNA, making it 10 times more sensitive than qPCR-DNA quantification kits. Finally, high specificity was observed when tested against 6 domestic species.     

Y-chromosome STR system, Y-PLEX 12, for forensic casework: development and validation

The Y-PLEX 12 system, developed for use in human identification, enables simultaneous amplification of eleven polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) loci, namely DYS392, DYS390, DYS385 a/b, DYS393, DYS389I, DYS391, DYS389II, DYS 19, DYS439 and DYS438, residing on the Y chromosome and Amelogenin. Amelogenin provides results for gender identification and serves as internal control for PCR. The validation studies were performed according to the DNA Advisory Board's (DAB) Quality Assurance Standards. The minimal sensitivity of the Y-PLEX 12 system was 0.1 ng of male DNA. The mean stutter values ranged between 3.76-15.72%. A full male profile was observed in mixture samples containing 0.5 ng of male DNA and up to 400 ng of female DNA. Amelogenin did not adversely affect the amplification of Y-STRs in mixture samples containing male and female DNA. The primers for the Y-STR loci present in Y-PLEX 12 are specific for human DNA and some higher primates. None of the primate samples tested provided a complete profile at all 11 Y-STR loci amplified with the Y-PLEX 12 system. Y-PLEX 12 is a sensitive, valid, reliable, and robust multiplex system for forensic analysis, and it can be used in human forensic and male lineage identification cases.     

法医SNP复合检测体系的构建及应用

目的构建48-SNP位点复合检测体系,用于个体识别、性别鉴定、ABO基因分型。方法采集225份无关个体样本(血斑及口腔拭子),18份案例样本(不同组织及体液斑),选择43个常染色体位点、4个ABO基因位点和1个性别鉴定位点,根据单碱基延伸技术通过GenomeLabTMSNPstream基因分型系统进行SNP分型;并检测体系灵敏度、同一个体不同组织同一性及模拟腐败检材。结果 48-SNP体系分型结果与测序结果的一致性为100%,最小DNA检出量为0.25ng,不同组织来源样本检测同一性很好;利用该体系检测225名无关汉族个体,所有位点均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡,整个系统的随机匹配概率为9.4×10-18,累积非父排除率(CEP)为0.999 788,累积个体识别率大于0.999 999 999 999 999 99。结论本文48-SNP体系能同时进行个体识别、ABO基因分型和性别鉴定,可以作为现有STR检验体系的补充。     

采用SNP分型方法对甲醛固定组织进行个体识别

目的通过对X染色体SNP遗传标记的检测,探讨甲醛固定组织块的DNA分型策略。方法提取甲醛固定组织块的DNA,在用SinofilerTM试剂盒、MiniFilerTM试剂盒检测未能获得分型结果的情形下,采用多重PCR和飞行质谱技术对X染色体上的51个SNP位点进行分型检测。结果对于常染色体STR、miniSTR分型失败的甲醛固定组织块,X-SNP分型获得成功。结论对于甲醛固定组织块等微量、降解的生物学检材,若常染色体STR基因座分型失败,可尝试进行SNP位点的分型,以获得更多的遗传信息。     

Parentally imprinted allele (PIA) typing in the differentially methylated region upstream of the human H19 gene

The H19 gene is a paternally imprinted gene located on chromosome 11p15.5. In this study, the H19FR1 and H19FR2 haplotype polymorphisms including four and three SNPs, respectively, upstream of the H19 gene according to the GenBank sequence (accession no. AF125183) were investigated. Five haplotypes and nine genotypes were detected for H19FR1 in the Chinese Han population by means of PCR and subsequent denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The power of discrimination (Dp), polymorphism information content (PIC) and probability of paternity exclusion (PE) were estimated to be 0.803, 0.58 and 0.322, respectively. For the H19FR2, two haplotypes and three genotyes were observed, and the Dp, PIC and PE were 0.626, 0.37 and 0.162, respectively. Sequencing results showed that only two of the four reported SNPs, a7342g and g7547a, were detected in H19FR1 in the Chinese Han population, and two new SNPs, g7351c and a7357g, were found. In the H19FR2 region, only one of the three reported SNPs, a8097g, was detected. Based on the methylation status of the genomic DNA, selective detection of the parental alleles for H19FRs was examined by using two types of enzymes, the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (msRE) HpaII or HhaI and McrBC. Genomic DNA digested by either HpaII or HhaI, revealed a single band derived from the paternal allele, as a result of cleavage of unmethylated recognition sites on the maternal allele. On the contrary, the use of McrBC, which can digest a methylated paternal sequence, resulted in exclusively amplifying the maternal allele. This parentally imprinted allele (PIA) typing method could be one of the useful techniques for discriminating the parental origin of alleles.     

“YFlag” – A Single‐base Extension Primer Based Method for Gender Determination

Assigning the gender of a DNA contributor in forensic analysis is typically achieved using the amelogenin test. Occasionally, this test produces false‐positive results due to deletions occurring on the Y chromosome. Here, a four‐marker “YFlag” method is presented to infer gender using single‐base extension primers to flag the presence (or absence) of Y‐chromosome DNA within a sample to supplement forensic STR profiling. This method offers built‐in redundancy, with a single marker being sufficient to detect the presence of male DNA. In a study using 30 male and 30 female individuals, detection of male DNA was achieved with c. 0.03 ng of male DNA. All four markers were present in male/female mixture samples despite the presence of excessive female DNA. In summary, the YFlag system offers a method that is reproducible, specific, and sensitive, making it suitable for forensic use to detect male DNA.     

用引物Y_3、Y_4和PCR方法鉴定性别的法医学应用

用Y3、Y4和Alu9．1、Alug．2两对引物和PCR方法检测陈旧血痕和毛根的性别获得成功。引物Y3、Y4扩增的靶序列位于Y染色体特异3．4Kb重复序列中，扩增产物为460bp；引物Alu9．1、Alu9.2用以扩增男女共有的Alu重复序列，扩增产物为130bP。室温保存13年之久的19例脐带血血痕（男性9冽，女性10例）和室温保存10～11个月的10例已知性别自然脱落毛根（男性6例，女性4例）的性别测定结果均正确；对一起凶杀案的血痕性别测定为定案提供了重要证据。本方法简化了样品的前处理过程。     

A novel multiplex for simultaneous amplification of 20 Y chromosome STR markers

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of simultaneously amplifying 20 Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) markers has been developed to aid human identity testing and male population studies. These markers include all of the Y STRs that make up the "extended haplotype" used in Europe (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, and YCAII) plus additional polymorphic Y STRs (DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS447, DYS448, DYS388, DYS426, GATA A7.1, and GATA H4). Primers for the markers DYS385, DYS389, and YCAII target duplicated regions of the Y chromosome and thus can provide two polymorphic peaks for each respective primer set. This Y STR 20plex, which utilizes 34 different PCR primers, is the first to include a simultaneous amplification of all the markers within the European "minimal" and "extended" haplotypes. Relative primer positions are compared between the newly developed primers described here and previously published ones. Efforts were made to avoid X chromosome homology in the primer design as well as close packing of PCR product size ranges in order to keep all alleles less than 350 bp through careful examination of known allele ranges. Haplotype comparisons between the 20plex and a commercially available kit found excellent agreement across the 76 samples in the Y chromosome consortium panel.     

Rapid and sensitive typing of forensic stains by PCR amplification of polymorphic simple repeat sequences in case work.

After failure of conventional typing and multilocus DNA fingerprinting methods to compare a minute vaginal swab stain with blood from a murder victim and a suspect, we used enzymatic DNA amplification (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) to discriminate the DNAs by typing of simple sequence lengths polymorphisms. A mixed dinucleotide locus in the HLA-DRB gene region and three novel tetranucleotide polymorphisms located autosomally as well as on the human Y chromosome were used to exclude a jailed subject from a case of murder.     

Rapid direct PCR for ABO blood typing

Many different molecular typing methods have been reported to complement routine serological ABO blood typing in forensics. However, these ABO genotyping methods are often time-consuming and call for an initial DNA isolation step that requires the use of expensive kits or reagents. We report here a rapid direct ABO genotyping method that eliminates the need for DNA extraction from fresh blood, hair, and body fluid stains before PCR. Using a fast PCR instrument and an optimized polymerase, the genotyping method-which employs a multiplex allele-specific primer set for the simultaneous detection of three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites (nucleotides 261, 526, and 803)-identifies A, B, O01/O02, O03, and cis-AB01 alleles in around 70 min from sample collection to electropherogram. Not only will this ABO genotyping method be efficiently used in forensic practice for rapid screening of samples before full-blown multilocus short tandem repeat profiling, but it will also demonstrate an example of rapid direct genotyping of SNPs that offers the advantages of time- and cost-efficiency, convenience, and reduced contamination during DNA analysis.