单核苷酸多态性与法医学DNA分型技术

单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)分型技术越来越成为法医学领域关注的热点,它在研究Y染色体或线粒体单倍型以及DNA表型的分析中具有重要应用价值。本文着重比较分析了SNP技术与片段长度多态性技术之间的优劣,同时就当前STR位点识别概率与所需选择的SNP位点数进行探讨。此外,本文还就各类SNP分型方法的优缺点及其法医学应用进行了论述。     

SNPs and MALDI-TOF MS: tools for DNA typing in forensic paternity testing and anthropology

DNA markers used for individual identification in forensic sciences are based on repeat sequences in nuclear DNA and the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions 1 and 2. An alternative to these markers is the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These have a particular advantage in the analysis of degraded or poor samples, which are often all that is available in forensics or anthropology. In order to study the potential of SNP analysis in these fields, 41 SNPs were selected on the basis of following criteria: conservation, lack of phenotypic expression, and frequency of occurrence in populations. Thirty-six autosomal SNPs were used for genotyping 21 inclusionary and 3 exclusionary paternity cases. The behavior of 5 X-chromosome SNPs was analyzed in a French representative population. Our approach to SNP typing is a multiplex PCR based amplification followed by simultaneous detection by primer extension (PEX) analyzed by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The selected autosomal SNPs showed independent inheritance and gave clear results in paternity investigation. All X-SNPs were useful as both paternity and identification markers. PEX and MALDI-TOF MS, with their high sensitivity, precision and speed, gave a powerful method for forensic and anthropological exploitation of biallelic markers.     

SNP分型方法及在法医学等领域的应用

随着单倍型图的产生,SNP越来越受到关注。不仅仅在Y染色体和线粒体,常染色体和X染色体上的SNPs的应用潜能也将被发现。SNPs具有比较低的突变率和适合于降解DNA分析的特点,在法医学领域也受到关注。本文综合介绍了SNPs和X-SNPs的一般特性、分型方法及其在法医学的应用。     

Testing the performance of mtSNP minisequencing in forensic samples

There is a growing interest among forensic geneticists in developing efficient protocols for genotyping coding region mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) SNPs (mtSNPs). Minisequencing is becoming a popular method for SNP genotyping, but it is still used by few forensic laboratories. In part, this is due to the lack of studies testing its efficiency and reproducibility when applied to real and complex forensic samples. Here we tested a minisequencing design that consists of 71 mtSNPs (in three multiplexes) that are diagnostic of known branches of the R0 phylogeny, in real forensic samples, including degraded bones and teeth, hair shafts, and serial dilutions. The fact that amplicons are short coupled with the natural efficiency of the minisequencing technique allow these assays to perform well with all the samples tested either degraded and/or those containing low DNA amount. We did not observe phylogenetic inconsistencies in the 71 mtSNP haplotypes generated, indicating that the technique is robust against potential artefacts that could arise from unintended contamination and/or spurious amplification of nuclear mtDNA pseudogenes (NUMTs).     

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 21‐Locus Autosomal SNP Multiplex and its Application in Forensic Science

To develop a cost‐effective technique for single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and improve the efficiency to analyze degraded DNA, we have established a novel multiplex system including 21‐locus autosomal SNPs and amelogenin locus, which was based on allele‐specific amplification (ASA) and universal reporter primers (URP). The target amplicons for each of the 21 SNPs arranged from 63 base pair (bp) to 192 bp. The system was tested in 539 samples from three ethnic groups (Han, Mongolian, and Zhuang population) in China, and the total power of discrimination (TPD) and cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) were more than 0.99999999 and 0.98, respectively. The system was further validated with forensic samples and full profiles could be achieved from degraded DNA and 63 case‐type samples. In summary, the multiplex system offers an effective technique for individual identification of forensic samples and is much more efficient in the analysis of degraded DNA compared with standard STR typing.     

Melting curve SNP (McSNP) genotyping: a useful approach for diallelic genotyping in forensic science

The increasing availability of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Deletion/Insertion Polymorphisms (DIPs), as well as the outstanding progress in SNP genotyping technologies, will impact forensics profoundly. We have developed a new method for genotyping SNPs and DIPs, which is based on the determination of melting curve profiles of amplified DNA in solution. We have termed this method Melting curve SNP (McSNP) genotyping. Melting curve profiles are composites of the particular melting temperatures (Tm) of the individual fragments that comprise the DNA sample. Simple mixtures of DNA can be resolved in a very robust and efficient fashion, since the samples can be scored in the plates in which they were amplified with no or very few post-PCR manipulations. As such, McSNP is one of the least expensive genotyping methods available and can and should be useful in forensic science.     

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.     

MtSNP typing before mtDNA sequencing: Why do it?

Analysis of control mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions is sometimes the only available method to study hair evidence in forensic casework although being a laborious technique. Nowadays there is a huge interest in new genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to type degraded forensic samples. For that purpose, a 10-Plex mitochondrial SNP for haplogroup typing, chosen from several SNP studies and useful to study the most common populations in our laboratory was applied in forensic casework. Hair shafts from three forensic cases with different ethnic backgrounds were studied with mtDNA sequencing and compared with mitochondrial SNPs (mtSNPs) study. Coding mtSNP typing prior to sequencing can allow for a rapid screening in forensic casework, which is emphasized in the first two cases. Moreover, in cases in which mtDNA sequencing fails, mtSNPs can still be detected. This 10 SNP loci multiplex provides a less expensive and simpler method for mitochondrial typing compared to control region mtDNA sequencing, especially when used as a fast screening method.     

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.     

Mass spectrometry-based SNP genotyping as a potential tool for ancestry inference and human identification in Chinese Han and Uygur populations

Ancestry informative SNPs (AISNPs) are genetic variants that exhibit substantially different frequencies between populations from different geographical regions; thus, they can provide some valuable information regarding samples and be used in predicting an individual's ancestry origin. In this study, we selected the potentially best SNPs from our previous study with genome-wide high-density SNP data in mainland Chinese Uygur and Han populations and investigated the allele distribution patterns and genetic information of AISNPs with a mass spectrometry-based SNP genotyping panel. Mass spectrometry-based detection technology offers the opportunity to analyze forensic DNA samples and obtain SNP variants with accuracy and ease. The panel can distinguish and cluster Han and Uygur populations and is suitable for human identification and parentage testing in the two populations. Heatmap, PCA, and Structure analyses indicated that the ideal 64 AISNPs can collectively provide additional information on differences among populations from East Asia, South Asia, Europe and Africa. Additionally, the results proved that the Uygur population is the admixture of East Asia and Europe.     

A DNA microarray system for forensic SNP analysis

Forensic DNA analysis is routinely performed using polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers. However, for degraded or minute DNA samples, analysis of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in short fragments might be more successful. Furthermore, sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is often performed on highly degraded or scarce samples due to the high copy number of mtDNA in each cell. Due to the increasing number of complete mtDNA genome sequences available, the limited discrimination power of an mtDNA analysis, may be increased by analysis of coding region polymorphisms in addition to the non-coding variation. Since sequence analysis of the coding region would require more material than generally present in forensic samples, an alternative SNP analysis approach is required. We have developed a one-colour microarray-based SNP detection system for limited forensic materials. The method is based on minisequencing in solution prior to hybridisation to universal tag-arrays. In a first outline of a forensic chip, a combination of 12 nuclear and 21 mitochondrial SNP markers are analysed simultaneously. The mitochondrial markers on the chip are polymorphisms within the hypervariable region as well as in the coding region. Even though the number of markers in the current system is limited, it can easily be extended to yield a greater power of discrimination. When fully developed, microarray analysis provides a promising system for efficient sensitive SNP analysis of forensic samples in the future.     

27个常染色体AIM-SNP的筛选和验证

目的构建27个常染色体AIM-SNP组合用于未知个体种族来源推断。方法通过对Hap Map数据库中描述祖先遗传信息标记的908个AIMs位点(非洲、欧洲、东亚人群)筛选,选出27个AIMs位点组合,利用相关软件同时与数据库908个AIMs不同子集合的分析进行对比,验证其推断祖先来源的可行性。结果应用本研究27个AIMs的SNP多态性分析方法可以正确推断未知样品祖先起源,估算祖先成分比例。结论本研究建立的常染色体27个AIMs的SNP多态性分析方法可准确推断来自于欧洲、非洲、东亚3大祖先血统个体的祖先来源,是SNP多态性分析用于个体种族来源推断的一种有效方法,在法医实践中可以用于DNA检验中未知DNA供者洲际人群祖先来源推断。     

Effectiveness of Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms to Investigate Cattle Rustling

Short tandem repeats (STR)s have been the eligible markers for forensic animal genetics, despite single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s became acceptable. The technology, the type, and amount of markers could limit the investigation in degraded forensic samples. The performance of a 32‐SNP panel genotyped through OpenArrays^TM (real‐time PCR based) was evaluated to resolve cattle‐specific forensic cases. DNA from different biological sources was used, including samples from an alleged instance of cattle rustling. SNPs and STRs performance and repeatability were compared. SNP call rate was variable among sample type (average = 80.18%), while forensic samples showed the lowest value (70.94%). The repeatability obtained (98.7%) supports the used technology. SNPs had better call rates than STRs in 12 of 20 casework samples, while forensic index values were similar for both panels. In conclusion, the 32‐SNPs used are as informative as the standard bovine STR battery and hence are suitable to resolve cattle rustling investigations.     

Forensic typing of autosomal SNPs with a 29 SNP-multiplex—Results of a collaborative EDNAP exercise

We report the results of an inter-laboratory exercise on typing of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for forensic genetic investigations in crime cases. The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP), a working group under the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), organised the exercise. A total of 11 European and one US forensic genetic laboratories tested a subset of a 52 SNP-multiplex PCR kit developed by the SNPforID consortium. The 52 SNP-multiplex kit amplifies 52 DNA fragments with 52 autosomal SNP loci in one multiplex PCR. The 52 SNPs are detected in two separate single base extension (SBE) multiplex reactions with 29 and 23 SNPs, respectively, using SNaPshot kit, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour fluorescence detection. For practical reasons, only the 29 SBE multiplex reaction was carried out by the participating laboratories. A total of 11 bloodstains on FTA cards including a sample of poor quality and a negative control were sent to the laboratories together with the essential reagents for the initial multiplex PCR and the multiplex SBE reaction. The total SNP locus dropout rate was 2.8% and more than 50% of the dropouts were observed with the poor quality sample. The overall rate of discrepant SNP allele assignments was 2.0%. Two laboratories reported 60% of all the discrepancies. Two laboratories reported all 29 SNP alleles in all 10 positive samples correctly. The results of the collaborative exercise were surprisingly good and demonstrate that SNP typing with SBE, capillary electrophoresis and multicolour detection methods can be developed for forensic genetics.     

Application of mtDNA SNP analysis in forensic casework

In this study six forensic cases are presented where the routine analysis of samples for short tandem repeats (STRs) failed. The sequencing of the mitochondrial hypervariable region I (HVR I) also failed. Nevertheless, it was possible to analyse the samples with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) via SNaPshot technique. The age of the analysed samples ranged from 2 months to 1400 years. Saliva-, blood-, sperm-, hair-, tooth- and bone-samples were investigated. Furthermore the mtDNA SNP analysis of a forensic case sample showing a mixed stain profile is presented. It was possible to discriminate two different haplogroups in this mixed-person stain. If compared to another mtDNA SNP profile that was found in a hair, the discriminating SNPs of the hair were as well found in the mixed-person stain.To disburden the SNP analysis in forensic casework, haplogroup assignment criteria and quality criteria for mtDNA SNaPshot analysis are announced.     

31个SNP位点多重PCR扩增和芯片分型技术的建立及其法医学应用

目的对SNP基因分型芯片在个体识别中的应用价值进行研究。方法根据SNP不同等位基因的序列设计探针,制成分型芯片。采用4个复合PCR体系,用末端标记了Cy5的引物进行复合PCR扩增,产物与寡核苷酸探针进行杂交,根据杂交产生的荧光信号值确定样品在各SNP位点的基因型。将这一方法应用于109份样本的分型,根据基因型分布统计分析31个SNP位点的法医学应用价值。同时,进行家系调查和方法灵敏度分析。结果方法的灵敏度为1ng;所检测的31个SNP位点的累积个体识别率为0.9999999999979(偶合率为2.13×10-12),二联体亲子鉴定中累积非父排除率为0.9609,三联体亲子鉴定中累积非父排除率为0.9970。家系调查的结果表明,这些位点等位基因由亲代向子代的传递符合孟德尔遗传定律。结论上述31个SNP位点为中高信息量位点,适用于法医学个体识别,可作为当前STR系统的补充。     

Paternity investigation experience with a 40 autosomal SNP panel

With both the SNPforID and the Kidd panels of autosomal SNPs available, we selected the 40 most informative and population-independent SNPs from both these sets for evaluation in paternity testing and as a prelude for forensic human identification.We used the published primer sequences and constructed PCR multiplexes for genotyping using the SNaPshot assay. Fifty trios and 50 duos previously analysed using conventional autosomal STR markers were re-analysed using the 40 SNPs. We report our findings regarding the practical use of these markers including unexpected mutations which impacted significantly on the use of this panel.     

SNP genotyping by multiplex amplification and microarrays assay for forensic application

OBJECTIVE: Research on the application feasibility of SNP genotyping for forensic identification by microarrays. METHODS: Oligonucleotide microarrays which could detect 34 different SNPs were used. After hybridization and washing, the arrays were scanned and fluorescence intensities analyzed using Microarray software. Population studies on 34 SNP loci were carried out in a sample of 109 unrelated Chinese Han individuals using oligonucleotide microarrays for genotype detection. The method was also applied to cases. RESULTS: According to the results of population studies, no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be found. Among the 34 loci, 3 SNPs were low informative, 4 were medium informative and 27 were high informative. The combination discrimination power (CDP) of the 31 optimal polymorphic SNPs was 0.9999999999979. The matching probability was 2.13 x 10(-12). The average exclusion probability in paternity testing for duos was 0.9609. The average exclusion probability in paternity testing for trios was 0.9970. CONCLUSION: The data and case application demonstrated that SNP typing by oligonucleotide probe microarrays was a useful technique for paternity testing and individual identification. Combined with the 28 SNPs loci distributed on HLA-DRB1 and ABO genes, the combination discrimination power (CDP) was 0.9999999999999910. The matching probability was 9.02 x 10(-15). The average exclusion probabilities in duos and in trios were 0.9894 and 0.9992, respectively. It may be concluded that the 59 SNPs loci yield the same power in forensic identification as CODIS STRs currently used.     

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.