基于下一代测序的全解析度STR分型研究进展与展望

下一代测序技术具有高通量、高速度、集成化、低成本等显著优势,近年来已在科研和临床诊断领域得到广泛应用,在法医遗传学领域亦具有重要应用前景。当前主流的STR分型方法仅关注序列的长度多态性,然而由于核心重复结构存在差异或扩增区段内存在SNP,序列长度相等的等位基因可能是具有遗传稳定性的完全不同的等位基因,此类STR序列多态性是个体识别或亲缘关系分析的宝贵资源。基于下一代测序的STR分型在现有数据输出方式基础上,允许进一步关注STR的序列多态性,对STR基因座进行全解析度分型,显著提升STR基因座的个体识别能力。本文以法医STR遗传标记和下一代测序技术为关注焦点,系统综述基于下一代测序的全解析度STR分型领域国际最新研究进展,深入探讨该技术在法医DNA实验室的实际应用潜力和可能面临的挑战,希冀对相关研究和实践提供参考。     

Analyzing degraded DNA and challenging samples using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit

Typing short tandem repeats (STRs) is the basis for human identification in current forensic testing. The standard method uses capillary electrophoresis (CE) to separate amplicons by length and fluorescent labeling. In recent years new methods, including massively parallel sequencing (MPS), have been developed which increased the discriminative power of STRs through sequencing. MPS also offers the opportunity to test more genetic markers in a run than is possible with standard CE technology. Verogen’s ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit includes over 150 genetic markers [STRs and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)]. Further, MPS separation depends on sequences rather than lengths; therefore, amplicons can be small or even of the same lengths. These improvements are advantageous when testing challenging forensic samples that could be severely degraded.This study tested the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit in repeated experimental runs on series of degraded DNA samples, ranging from mild to severe degradation, as well as 24 mock case-type samples, derived from bones, blood cards, and teeth. Despite passing the quality metrics, positive controls (2800 M) showed drop-outs at some loci, mostly SNPs. Sequencing DNA samples repeatedly in two experimental runs as well as sequencing one pooled library in triplicate led to the assumption that spurious alleles of the Y-STRs in this study were not a result of sequencing artifacts but could be due to sequence structures (e.g. duplications, palindromes) of the Y-chromosome and/or might be accumulated during library preparation.Two sets of serially degraded DNA samples revealed that dropped-out loci were primarily loci with long amplicons as well as low read numbers (coverage), e.g. PentaE, DXS8378, and rs1736442. STRs started to drop out at degradation indices (DIs) > 4. However, severely degraded DNA (DI: 44) still resulted in 90% of the 20 CODIS loci, while only 35% were obtained using Promega’s PowerPlex® Fusion kit, a current standard CE kit. Mock case-type samples confirmed these results. ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit demonstrated that it can be successfully used on degraded DNA samples. This study may be helpful for other laboratories assessing and validating MPS technologies.     

Development of a forensic DNA phenotyping panel using massive parallel sequencing

The HIrisPlex-S system, targeting a total of 41 SNPs, allows the simultaneous eye, hair and skin color prediction from DNA. In the present study, we developed a massive parallel sequencing (MPS) multiplex assay in order to genotype all the HIrisPlex-S markers in degraded casework samples. PCR amplicons sizes of target regions were kept below 180 bp, in order to allow analysis of degraded DNA samples. Individuals with known phenotype, artificially degraded DNA samples and a set of 2800M control DNA dilutions were sequenced on a Ion PGM System, in order to evaluate the concordance testing results and the forensic suitability of this 41-plex MPS assay. Full and reliable profiles could be obtained with 0.1 ng of input DNA. The increment of the number of PCR cycles results in improvement of sensitivity or in typing results but an increase of artifacts were also observed.     

H19基因上游差异性甲基化区SNPs多态性研究

目的获得H19基因上游差异性甲基化区中SNPs的群体遗传学信息。方法采用PCR和测序技术,对105例中国北方汉族健康无关个体H19上游启动子区检测;使用Haploview 4.1和PowerStats V12软件进行统计学分析。选用甲基化敏感的限制内切酶(msRE)HpaⅡ,检测5个家系样本H19等位基因的亲代来源。结果测序结果显示,H19启动子区含有13个SNPs,组成5种单倍型,13种单倍型组合,其个体识别能力为0.856、多态性信息含量为0.67、非父排除率为0.498。经msRE HpaⅡ消化母源等位基因后,进行PCR及测序分析,检测出父源等位基因,排除1例和肯定4例家系的亲缘关系。结论 DNA甲基化标记和SNPs多态性检测,可同时进行多态性分型并确定等位基因的亲代来源,具有较高的法医学应用价值。     

Estimating Individual Contributions to Complex DNA SNP Mixtures.,

High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) of large panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provides an alternative or complimentary approach to short tandem repeats (STRs) panels for the analysis of complex DNA mixture forensic samples. For STRs, methods to estimate individual contribution concentrations compare capillary electrophoresis peak heights, peak areas, or HTS allele read counts within a mixture. This article introduces three approaches (mean, median, and slope methods) for estimating individual DNA contributions to forensic mixtures for HTS/massively parallel sequencing (MPS) SNP panels. For SNPs, the major:minor allele ratios or counts, unique to each contributor, were compared to estimate contributor proportion within the mixture using the mean, median, and slope intercept for these alleles. The estimates for these three methods were typically within 5% of planned experimental contributions for defined mixtures.     

Calculation and implementation of sample-wide stochastic thresholds for forensic genetic analysis of STRs and SNPs for massively parallel sequencing platforms

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis of short tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) use a stochastic threshold to consider the possibility of missing alleles (dropouts) or detecting additional alleles (drop-ins). In CE, this threshold may be approximately 200 RFU, and peak heights are assessed relative to this threshold. In next generation sequencing (NGS), also known as massively parallel sequencing (MPS), STRs are identified by their sequence, and specific alleles are identified by their repeat number and intra-allelic variation. Abundance is approximated by the number of sequence reads for each allele. The total number of reads generated for each marker in a sample depends on factors such as the numbers of samples pooled for sequencing, the number of markers in the assay, the integrity and quantity of the input DNA sample, and the inter-locus balance of the assay. For multiplexes that contain both autosomal and sex-linked markers, the biological sex of the sample also influences total reads per locus. To normalize these variables and better establish a robust stochastic threshold, a sample-wide metric is proposed for estimating the possibility of dropouts or drop-ins based on the variance of the inter-locus balance of the markers across a sample. The intuition is that samples with variable allele balance globally are more likely to have noisier data and therefore require more stringent read count thresholds. This method is robust to sequencing multiplexity, biological sex and manufacturing lot variation.     

Evaluating probabilistic genotyping for low-pass DNA sequencing

Most genomic methods consider the sample genotype. Data are evaluated at some location, and if the signal strength is sufficient, a genotype call is made. Conversely, sites that lack sufficient signal are treated as missing data. Such methods for genotype calling are binary, and this dichotomy limits genomic analyses to relatively high-coverage (and high-cost) massively parallel sequencing (MPS) data. It follows that bioinformatic methods that rely on genotypes may not be ideal for trace DNA samples, such as those sometimes encountered in forensic investigations, but even when applicable such analyses can be expensive. However, there are some genomic analyses where having many uncertain genotypes (with measured uncertainty) assayed over the entirety of the genome may be more powerful than current multi-locus approaches that consider a limited number of well-characterized markers. Methods for such problems may rely on genotype likelihood, which expresses the likelihood of alternative genotype calls in addition to the most likely call. One application that can benefit from genotype likelihoods is kinship analysis. NgsRelate is a bioinformatic tool that infers pairwise relatedness using a probabilistic genotyping framework, which accommodates the uncertainty associated with genotype calls for low-pass MPS data. Here, NgsRelate was used to infer kinship coefficients from low-pass whole genome sequencing data from a known pedigree. Multiple samples in a titration series (ranging from 50 ng to 0.5 ng) on a single MPS S4 flow cell were assessed. A reproducible scientific bioinformatic workflow was developed to evaluate kinship coefficients considering up to 3rd degree relatives. NgsRelate was found to provide robust assessments of kinship. Further, the use of low-pass MPS data provides a more cost-effective way to conduct forensic investigations.     

荧光标记的ASP-PCR法对ABO基因分型的研究

目的建立一种方便准确的ABO基因分型检验方法。方法选取ABO基因外显子6和7上的3个位点nt261、nt297和nt803,分别对第6和7外显子进行扩增,并对扩增产物进行测序得出样本的基因型;然后用荧光标记的等位基因特异性引物对已知基因型的样本进行扩增,并用3130遗传分析仪进行电泳分析。结果该方法检出的基因型与测序得出的基因型完全一致。结论等位基因特异性引物法分型结果准确,特异性高,可用于法医学中对犯罪嫌疑人的筛查。     

"Biological identikit": Development of a SNPs-panel for the analysis of forensic DNA phenotyping and ancestry

Personal identification in mass disasters and in crimes is essential for humanitarian, ethical and legal reasons. In these contexts, when individuals cannot be identified by standard forensic DNA analysis, the Forensic DNA Phenotyping and the analysis of the biogeographical ancestry could help. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a new panel of 891 SNPs in predicting phenotypic traits and biogeographical origin to create a “biological identikit”. In addition to fresh biological material, old evidence found at the crime scene or extracted and long-term stored DNA were tested with 41 SNPs for phenotyping and 850 SNPs for ancestry. All the SNPs were successfully incorporated into a single two-step multiplex PCR reaction using the IonAmpliSeq ™ Library Plus and applied for massive parallel sequencing with the Ion S5 platform using up to 0.05 ng/µL of DNA. The analysis of the results was carried out with an in-house predictive algorithm and consulting 20 population databases. By comparing the results obtained with identikit or video-photographic surveys, it was possible to predict phenotype and ancestry with an accuracy greater than 90%. While these new markers cannot identify a specific individual, they can be a valuable investigative tool.     

基于高通量测序进行无创产前亲子鉴定的可行性

目的初步探讨基于高通量测序进行STR分型的技术方法应用于无创产前亲子鉴定的可行性。方法选择13个STR基因座(6个常染色体STR基因座,6个Y染色体STR基因座,1个性别判定基因座),进行复合PCR扩增和高通量测序文库构建后,采用Ion PGM400高通量测序平台进行测序,并采用自主研发软件NGS-STR genotyper(perl脚本)进行STR分型,本文简称上述过程为NGS-STR分型。对13个母子配对混合样本(母亲:儿子=2%~50%)、1组家系样本进行了上述NGS-STR分型,旨在(1)了解其在混合样本中的灵敏度及分型情况;(2)了解其在无创产前亲子鉴定中的应用可能性。结果 (1)当混合样本中低组分(儿子)的比例超过8%,所有基因座均可检出低组分的STR信息;(2)对1例血浆样本进行NGS-STR分型,共计69.2%的基因座可检出胎儿的STR基因型信息,且所有检出基因座均符合孟德尔遗传规律。结论初步证明了NGS-STR分型技术具有进行无创产前亲子鉴定的可行性。     

Individual Identification of Racehorses from Urine Samples Using a 26‐Plex Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphism Assay

To construct a system for identifying individual horses from urine samples that are submitted for postracing doping tests, we developed a genotyping assay based on 26‐plex single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA was isolated from urine using a commercially available DNA/RNA extraction kit, and SNP genotyping was achieved with a SNaPshot^? technique. DNA profiles including 26 SNPs were acquired from urine samples and blood/hair samples. Within the studied Thoroughbred population, the 26‐plex assay showed a probability of identity of 5.80 × 10^?11. Compared to the conventional short tandem repeat assay, the SNP assay used less DNA, and the rate of successful genotyping was improved to 97% using aliquots of horse urine as small as 140 μL. The urinary DNA could be successfully genotyped under proper storage concerning refrigeration or freeze–thawing. This SNP assay can be used for individual identification when suspicious results are obtained from horse doping tests.     

常染色体21个SNPs多态性分型方法研究

目的建立常染色体21个SNPs的多态性分型方法。方法采用荧光标记公用引物和等位基因特异性引物原理设计SNP复合扩增引物体系,对45个备选SNP位点筛选,选出21个及性别Amelogenin构成复合扩增体系。PCR产物经3130XL型电泳仪电泳分离,GeneMaperTM3.0数据分析软件分析结果。同时随机选取6份样品,使用测序方法对SNP分型并进行测序验证。结果应用本研究建立的复合扩增体系扩增样品,产物经毛细管电泳后,每个SNPs均可正确判定基因型。随机选取6份样品SNPs位点测序结果显示,荧光标记SNPs复合扩增分型与直接测序结果完全一致。结论本研究建立的荧光标记公有引物特异性片段常染色体21个SNPs复合扩增方法是SNP多态性分析的一种有效方法,并有助于解决SNP分型识别能力、效率、通量和高成本的问题。     

A novel method for ABO genotyping using a DNA chip

ABO genotyping is often performed to identify the blood type of decomposed samples, which is difficult to be determined by a serological test. In this study, we developed a simple method for ABO genotyping using a DNA chip. In this method, polymerase chain reaction-amplified and fluorescent-labeled fragments in the ABO gene and primate-specific D17Z1 were hybridized with DNA probes on a chip designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ABO gene and part of the D17Z1 sequence. Using blood samples from 42 volunteers and 10 animal species, we investigated whether the chip could be used to detect SNPs in the ABO gene and the D17Z1 sequence. This method was then applied to various forensic samples, and it was confirmed that this method was suitable for the simultaneous analyses of ABO genotyping and species identification. This method fulfills the recent need for the development of rapid and convenient methods for criminal investigations.     

Characterization of human DNA in environmental samples

Environmental samples from indoor surfaces can be confounded by dust, which is composed largely of human skin cells and has been documented to contain roughly tens of micrograms of total DNA per gram of dust. This study complements previous published work by providing estimates of the quantity of amplifiable human DNA found in environmental samples from a typical indoor environment, categorized by the intensity of human traffic and visible quantity of dust. Dust was collected by surface swabbing standard 576 cm² areas in eight locations, and evaluated for total DNA quantity, presence of human DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear loci using conventional PCR), quantity of human nuclear DNA using quantitative PCR, and STR analysis. The total DNA content of 36 dust samples ranged from 9 to 28 ng/cm², and contained 0.2–1.1 pg/cm² of human DNA. Overall, human DNA was detected in 97% of 36 dust samples and 61% of samples yielded allele distributions of varying degrees of complexity when subjected to STR analysis. The implications of this study are twofold. First, the presence of dust in evidence can be a significant contamination source in forensic investigations because the human DNA component is of sufficient quality and quantity to produce allele calls in STR analysis. This can be effectively managed by implementing stringent protocols for collection and analysis of potential biological samples. A second implication is the use of dust as a source of evidence for identification of inhabitants within a defined location. In the latter case, a number of additional studies would be necessary to identify relevant pretreatments for environmental dust samples and to develop the necessary deconvolution techniques to separate the composite genotypes obtained.     

The effectiveness of various strategies to improve DNA analysis of formaldehyde-damaged tissues from embalmed cadavers for human identification purposes

Formalin-fixed tissues provide the medical and forensic communities with alternative and often last resort sources of DNA for identification or diagnostic purposes. The DNA in these samples can be highly degraded and chemically damaged, making downstream genotyping using short tandem repeats (STRs) challenging. Therefore, the use of alternative genetic markers, methods that pre-amplify the low amount of good quality DNA present, or methods that repair the damaged DNA template may provide more probative genetic information. This study investigated whether whole genome amplification (WGA) and DNA repair could improve STR typing of formaldehyde-damaged (FD) tissues from embalmed cadavers. Additionally, comparative genotyping success using bi-allelic markers, including INDELs and SNPs, was explored. Calculated random match probabilities (RMPs) using traditional STRs, INDEL markers, and two next generation sequencing (NGS) panels were compared across all samples. Overall, results showed that neither WGA nor DNA repair substantially improved STR success rates from formalin-fixed tissue samples. However, when DNA from FD samples was genotyped using INDEL and SNP-based panels, the RMP of each sample was markedly lower than the RMPs calculated from partial STR profiles. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that rather than attempting to improve the quantity and quality of severely damaged and degraded DNA prior to STR typing, a more productive approach may be to target smaller amplicons to provide more discriminatory DNA identifications. Furthermore, an NGS panel with less loci may yield better results when examining FD samples, due to more optimized chemistries that result in greater allelic balance and amplicon coverage.     

Tri-allelic SNP markers enable analysis of mixed and degraded DNA samples

For the analysis of degraded DNA in disaster victim identification (DVI) and criminal investigations, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been recognized as promising markers mainly because they can be analyzed in short sized amplicons. Most SNPs are bi-allelic and are thereby ineffective to detect mixtures, which may lead to incorrect genotyping. We developed an algorithm to find non-binary (i.e. tri-allelic or tetra-allelic) SNPs in the NCBI dbSNP database. We selected 31 potential tri-allelic SNPs with a minor allele frequency of at least 10%. The tri-allelic nature was confirmed for 15 SNPs residing on 14 different chromosomes. Multiplex SNaPshot™ assays were developed, and the allele frequencies of 16 SNPs were determined among 153 Dutch and 111 Netherlands Antilles reference samples. Using these multiplex SNP assays, the presence of a mixture of two DNA samples in a ratio up to 1:8 could be recognized reliably. Furthermore, we compared the genotyping efficiency of the tri-allelic SNP markers and short tandem repeat (STR) markers by analyzing artificially degraded DNA and DNA from 30 approximately 500-year-old bone and molar samples. In both types of degraded DNA samples, the larger sized STR amplicons failed to amplify whereas the tri-allelic SNP markers still provided valuable information. In conclusion, tri-allelic SNP markers are suited for the analysis of degraded DNA and enable the detection of a second DNA source in a sample.     

Mismatched multiplex PCR amplification and subsequent RFLP analysis to simultaneously identify polymorphisms of erythrocytic ESD, GLO1, and GPT genes

ESD (esterase D), GLO1 (glyoxalase I), and GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase) are human erythrocytic isoenzymes and have previously been applied in forensic medicine caseworks. The molecular bases of the polymorphic gene expression products have been demonstrated to be because of SNPs in respective coding regions. However, it has not been revealed whether the SNPs conferring the polymorphisms to the aforementioned erythrocytic isoenzymes could be simultaneously detected by using a simple PCR method. In this study, we used mismatched primers to simultaneously amplify three common isoenzyme loci so that all amplified products contained the same Hph I cleavage sites. The products were then digested with Hph I and electrophoretically separated and stained so that alleles were identified. The accumulated values for the probability of discrimination power and excluding the probability of paternity to the aforementioned systems attained 90.41% and 41.72%, respectively, in the Chinese Han population. This assay could be extremely valuable for future forensic medicine practices.     

印记基因5个SNP分型及亲代来源的检测

目的 采用复合PCR-Snapshot联合甲基化敏感酶切技术,检测印记基因中5个SNP的甲基化状态、印记亲代来源及分型.方法 选择15例亲子鉴定已证实为亲生关系的家系样本,采用单碱基延伸复合检测技术,检测家系样本IGF2AS rs1003483、SNURF rs220028、SNURF rs4906939、DLGAP2 rs6558478、SIM2 rs737380等5个SNP分型,同时选用核酸内切酶(McrBC)和甲基化敏感的限制酶(msRE) HhaⅠ、HpaⅡ消化子代DNA,验证印记基因的亲代来源.结果 经用本文方法检测,证实rs1003483为父源印记;rs220028、rs4906939为母源印记;rs6558478及rs737380未在差异甲基化区,不能确定其印记亲代来源.结论 复合PCR-Snapshot联合甲基化敏感酶切技术简单、高效,在检测多个SNP分型的同时可确定亲代来源,可在相关研究和实践中选用.     

法医学二代测序STR分型准确度与测序深度的关联性评估

目的利用实验数据对法医学二代测序STR分型测序深度与分型结果准确度的关联性进行评估。方法使用商业化基因组DNA制备单一来源和混合的DNA样本,以Thermo Fisher公司的25重早期测试试剂盒进行目的STR片段扩增,每种扩增产物分别使用4种不同的序列标签平行建库,并控制标记每一种序列标签的文库上机量依次占一张Ion 318芯片的1/4、1/8、1/16、1/32。经Ion PGMTM基因测序仪测序,以及Ion Torrent SuiteTM软件进行数据分析;同时对庞敬博等人发表的基于相同试剂盒和测序仪检测的95名中国汉族无关个体的6928条等位基因、影子峰和噪音序列进行测序深度统计分析,寻找测序深度与STR分型准确度的关联性。结果各基因座测序深度随文库上样量减少而呈明显下降趋势。对于单一来源样本,每张芯片上样不超过8个均一化文库可实现全部基因座的完整分型;对于1∶20比例的混合DNA,每张芯片上样不超过4个均一化文库时,未发现微量组分的等位基因丢失。人群数据测序深度统计显示,该体系基因座间存在不均衡性,有必要针对各基因座分别设定分析阈值参数。结论测序深度与法医学STR分型结果的准确性密切相关,各基因座最低测序深度与平均测序深度的比值可作为设定分析阈值的重要参考指标。本研究确定的单张芯片上样数量仅适用于本实验体系,但相关实验设计和方案可供其他实验体系开展类似工作参考。