Validation of cytochrome b sequence analysis as a method of species identification

One of the stages of dealing with biological material submitted to forensic laboratories is species identification. The aim of the present work was to validate and assess the possibility of applying sequence analysis of the region coding cytochrome b as a method of species identification in the field of forensic science. DNA originating from individuals from major phyla of vertebrates was isolated by the organic method from various specimens. Extracted DNA was subjected to PCR and direct cycle sequencing using a universal pair of primers. The validation process, performed according to TWGDAM recommendations, revealed that the technique is a very sensitive and reliable method of species identification allowing analysis of tiny amounts of material and also degraded material, and can be useful in the field of forensic genetics. The case example presented here, concerning the determination of species origin of biological evidence collected from fatal road accident, confirms that analysis can be carried out even when there is no reference sample, and the sequences obtained can be assessed through analysis of their similarity to sequences for cytochrome b present in DNA databases.     

mtDNA COI和ND5基因用于鉴别常见嗜尸性蝇类

目的对蝇类mtDNA 523bp COI和347bp ND5基因片段进行序列分析,评价其在以嗜尸性蝇类种属鉴定中应用的可行性。方法从广州(广东省)、湛江(广东省)、韶关(广东省)、沈丘(河南省)及蜂蛹寨(四川省)采集7种嗜尸性蝇类标本,进行形态学种属鉴定,取其腹部肌肉提取DNA,利用基因特异性引物对线粒体COI、ND5基因进行PCR扩增,产物经纯化后进行测序,MEGA 3.0软件对DNA序列进行碱基组成、进化分歧率和系统发育分析。结果进化分歧率ND5基因种内小于1.83%,种间大于2.62%;种间与种内进化分歧率范围间没有交叉;COI基因种间在0.48%～14.8%之间,种内在0.24%～8.3%之间,种内进化分歧范围与种间进化分歧范围存在交叉。结论 ND5基因片段可在种水平有效鉴别常见嗜尸性蝇类,也可鉴别近缘种。而单独运用COI基因不能有效进行种属鉴定。     

Molecular Identification of Necrophagous Dermestes Species in South Korea Using Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I Nucleotide Sequences (Genus Dermestes)

Species identification of necrophagous insects found on a dead body is an essential key in applying medicolegal entomology to the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI). Due to limited morphological identification of insect evidence, several studies have identified species using molecular information such as DNA markers. While considerable cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence data of necrophagous fly species have been collected and annotated, those of necrophagous beetle species have not. Since necrophagous beetles such as Dermestes species have a larval period longer than that of flies, beetles are useful in even the late decomposition phase in estimating minimum PMI. To obtain the full-length COI gene sequences of six Dermestes species collected from South Korea, we designed primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The obtained full COI nucleotide sequences were used for performing phylogenic analysis and comparison with previously reported sequences. The results demonstrated that the COI gene sequences could be used to identify forensically important Dermestes species in South Korea.     

应用mtDNA COI基因序列鉴别常见嗜尸性蝇类种属

目的探讨mtDNA基因序列对常见嗜尸性蝇类的种属鉴别应用价值。方法收集不同区域2科4属6个种30个蝇类样本,提取样本线粒体DNA后扩增COI基因序列,以琼脂糖电泳检测扩增产物并测序,以DNAMAN6.0分析软件分别截取498bp序列,用MEGA5.2软件分别进行序列分析,然后构建系统发育树,比较各地区不同种属样本的序列差异。结果 6个种属的嗜尸性蝇类30个样本mtDNA的COI基因具有一定的序列差异,种内进化分歧均数在0.1%~1.6%之间,种间进化分歧均数在2.2%~11.2%之间,6个种属通过系统发育树均可明确区分。结论 COI基因序列分析和系统发育树对嗜尸性蝇类的种属检验具有重要帮助作用,可用于现场样本的准确、快速种属鉴定。     

DNA Barcoding Identifies all Immature Life Stages of a Forensically Important Flesh Fly (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Carrion‐breeding insects, such as flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), can be used as evidence in forensic investigations. Despite their considerable forensic potential, their use has been limited because morphological species identification, at any life stage, is very challenging. This study investigated whether DNA could be extracted and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode sequences obtained for molecular identification of each immature life stage of the forensically important Australian flesh fly, Sarcophaga (Sarcorohdendorfia) impatiens (Walker). Genomic DNA extracts were prepared from all larval instars and puparia. Amplification of the barcoding region was successful from all extracts, but puparia amplicons were weak. All sequences were identified as S. impatiens with 99.95% confidence using the Barcoding of Life Database (BOLD). Importantly, crop removal was necessary to eliminate PCR inhibition for specimens from late second and early third instars. Similar results are expected for immatures of other carrion‐breeding species, enhancing the use of evidence from immature flies in forensic investigations.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequencing of human hair shafts stored for long time

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing is commonly used for forensic genetic identification of relation and personality identification based on analysis of tooth and skeletal rudiments. We demonstrated the possibility of DNA extraction and subsequent enzymatic amplification of fragments of a hypervariable segment I of mtDNA control region from hair shafts after long storage (up to 75 years). Shed hairs are the most common biological material evidence in forensic investigations. Low content of DNA and its possible degradation in hair shafts without bulbs may cause artifacts in polymerase chain reaction. However comparative analysis of amplified nucleotide sequences of amplified fragments from hair stored for 75 years was identical to the sequence from hairs cut immediately before experiment. This indicates high quality of the resultant matrices, stability of results, and hence, the possibility of using DNA extracted from hair shafts without bulbs stored for a long time for expert genetic analysis. Theoretical and methodological prospects of using mtDNA polymorphism analysis for forensic expert evaluations are discussed.     

DNA‐Based Identification of Forensically Important Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Continental United States*

Abstract: Correct species identification is critical when dipteran larvae are used for inference of the postmortem interval. To facilitate DNA‐based identification of forensically important flies of the genus Lucilia in the continental United States, we develop a vouchered reference collection and DNA sequence database. A total of 122 specimens were collected for nine of the 10 species of Lucilia reported to occur in the continental United States. Using the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, data were obtained for an 1100‐bp region of the mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome oxidase I (COI). We consider a species suitable for DNA‐based identification if it is exclusively monophyletic in >95% of bootstrap pseudoreplicate phylogenetic analyses. Seven of the nine species meet that criterion. Two species (Lucilia coeruleiviridis and Lucilia mexicana) share COI sequence and cannot be distinguished using our reference database. We conclude that DNA‐based identification is likely to be successful for the other seven species.     

利用COI序列序列鉴定常见嗜尸性蝇种

目的 检测嗜尸性蝇类线粒体DNA(mtDNA)细胞色素氧化酶辅酶Ⅰ(COI)中278bp序列,鉴定蝇科3属5种嗜尸性蝇,解决其形态学种类鉴定的难题,为死亡时间推断提供技术支持.方法 从15省、市(地区)室外草地家兔尸体上采集蝇科3属5种共计18个蝇类成蝇样本,提取mtDNA进行PCR扩增,序列测定且上传GENBANK,...     

Molecular identification of forensically important fly species in Spain using COI barcodes

Species identification with DNA barcodes has been proven to be effective on different organisms and, particularly, has become a routinely used and quite accurate tool in forensic entomology to study necrophagous Diptera species. In this study, we analysed 215 specimens belonging to 42 species of 17 genera, from 9 different Diptera families. Flies were collected in 39 Spanish localities of the Iberian Peninsula sampled across three years in the four seasons. Intraspecific variation ranged from 0 to 2.46% whereas interspecific variation fluctuated from 3.07 to 14.59%, measuring 651 pb of the cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI) gene. Neighbour-Joining analysis was carried out to investigate the molecular identification capabilities of the barcoding region, recovering almost all species as distinct monophyletic groups. The species groupings were generally consistent with morphological and molecular identifications. This work, which is the first with this intensive and extensive sampling in this area, shows that the COI barcode is an appropriate marker for unambiguous identification of forensically important Diptera in Spain.     

Genetic relationships between blowflies (Calliphoridae) of forensic importance.

Phylogenetic relationships among blowfly (Calliphoridae) species of forensic importance are explored using DNA sequence data from the large sub-unit (lsu, 28S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, the study includes representatives of a range of calliphorid species commonly encountered in forensic analysis in Britain and Europe. The data presented provide a basis to define molecular markers, including the identification of highly informative intra-sequence regions, which may be of use in the identification of larvae for forensic entomology. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences also provides new insights into the different evolutionary patterns apparent within the family Calliphoridae which, additionally, can provide a measure of the degree of genetic variation likely to be encountered within taxonomic groups of differing forensic utility.     

The application of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase II gene for the identification of forensically important blowflies in Western China

Blowflies found on human corpses are important for the estimation of the postmortem interval and other questions of forensic relevance. Some of these species are difficult to differentiate morphologically, and therefore a molecular method was elaborated for species identification. Here, we describe a molecular method for rapid identification of these insects. Specific insect DNA fragments were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, followed by direct DNA sequencing of the amplification products. Analysis of the cytochrome oxidase II sequences revealed abundant phylogenetically informative nucleotide substitutions that could identify blowfly species to species group. In contrast, because of the low level of sequence divergence of sister species, the data could not distinguish among taxa from the same species group, ie, the species within the Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina groups. The molecular data support the existing species group separation of the taxa within the Calliphora. Because of the speed and accuracy of current nucleotide sequencing technology and the abundant apomorphic substitutions available from mtDNA sequences, this approach enables quick identification of species used for estimation of postmortem interval.     

嗜尸性苍蝇mtDNA中COⅡ基因序列检测

目的利用线粒体DNA(m tDNA)上细胞色素氧化酶辅酶Ⅱ(COⅡ)中635bp基因序列,解决嗜尸性苍蝇及其卵和幼虫种类鉴定的难题。方法随机采集放置在呼和浩特地区室外草地家兔尸体上的嗜尸性苍蝇、幼虫、苍蝇腹中的卵。利用Chelex方法提取上述苍蝇m tDNA;通过Perk in-E lm er 9600扩增仪进行PCR扩增;琼脂糖水平电泳和银染显色技术进行扩增结果检测;PCR胶回收试剂盒纯化;AB I 377测序仪测序;DNAMAN 4.0序列分析软件,进行序列比对,截取等长度片段;MEGA2.1软件包进行序列分析和构建系统发育树。结果上述嗜尸性苍蝇m tDNA上COⅡ基因序列在双翅目嗜尸性苍蝇的种内差异均数小于1%,种间差异均数大于3%,成虫与幼虫、卵无明显差异。以此能够根据COⅡ序列差异判断两个个体是否同种。然而,对于亲缘关系非常接近的铜绿蝇和丝光绿蝇来说,由于二者的种内、种间进化分歧均数非常接近,运用上述两个片段则很难区别。结论m tDNA上COⅡ序列分析能有效地对绝大多数嗜尸性苍蝇进行种类鉴定。该检测方法快速、简便和精确,能作为法医鉴别嗜尸性苍蝇种类的依据。     

The utility of mitochondrial DNA sequences for the identification of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in southeastern Australia.

The applicability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing was investigated for the identification of the following forensically important species of blowflies from southeastern Australia: Calliphora albifrontalis, C. augur, C. dubia, C. hilli hilli, C. maritima, C. stygia, C. vicina, Chrysomya rufifacies, Ch. varipes and Onesia tibialis. All breed in carrion except O. tibialis, which is an earthworm parasitoid. Emphasis was placed on Calliphora species because they predominate among the carrion-breeding blowfly fauna of southern Australia and their immatures are difficult to identify morphologically. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COII gene was determined for all species and for COI for C. albifrontalis, C. augur, C. dubia and C. stygia only. Five other species of blowflies, Chrysomya albiceps, Ch. rufifacies, Protophormia terraenovae, Lucilia illustris and L. sericata, for which sequence data were already available, were also included. Analysis of the COI and COII sequences revealed abundant phylogenetically informative nucleotide substitutions that could identify blowfly species to species group. In contrast, because of the low level of sequence divergence of sister species, the data could not distinguish among taxa from the same species group, i.e. the species within the C. augur and C. stygia groups. The molecular data support the existing species group separation of the taxa within Calliphora. Because of the speed and accuracy of current nucleotide sequencing technology and the abundant apomorphic substitutions available from mtDNA sequences, this approach, with the analysis of additional taxa and genes, is likely to enable the reliable identification of carrion-breeding blowflies in Australia.     

洛阳地区5种嗜尸性麻蝇分子鉴定研究

目的应用经典DNA条形码和28S r RNA基因鉴定洛阳地区5种常见嗜尸性麻蝇种属,评价其在常见嗜尸性麻蝇种属鉴定中应用的可行性。方法收集洛阳地区常见嗜尸性麻蝇类标本18只,经形态学分类鉴定后,Chelex-100法提取足部DNA,扩增并测序线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基I(COI)和28S核糖体核糖核酸(28S r RNA)基因片段,BLAST比对后,与来自DNA条形码数据库(Barcode of Life Data,BOLD)的中国和韩国地区20条相应蝇种序列进行比对,用MEGA 7.0软件整理分析所得序列,计算碱基组成、种内及种间进化分歧率,并构建系统发育树。结果形态学鉴定18只嗜尸性麻蝇归于3属5种。每个样本获得COI和28S r RNA的扩增长度分别为646bp和721bp。在线BLAST比对结果显示样本COI序列相似度99%以上,邻近法构建发育树Bootstrap值为1 000,5种麻蝇可以较好聚类,与形态学鉴定结果一致。38个样本COI种内范围为0~0.022,棕尾别麻蝇、酱亚麻蝇和急钩(亚)麻蝇种间范围在0.057~0.090;赤尾麻蝇和红尾粪麻蝇种间范围在0~0.086。5种麻蝇的28S r RNA序列发育树显示,棕尾别麻蝇和急钩(亚)麻蝇明显各自聚类,其余3种成一类。结论对于本研究中的5种嗜尸性麻蝇,基于COI基因的DNA条形码可以有效区分棕尾别麻蝇、酱亚麻蝇和急钩(亚)麻蝇,28S r RNA基因只可以区分棕尾别麻蝇,二者可作为形态学鉴定之外的重要方法补充。     

Forensic genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region I/II sequences: an expanded Korean population database

We have analyzed variation of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable segments I and II (HVS-I and HVS-II) in 185 randomly chosen individuals from Korea to provide an expanded and reliable Korean database. Combined sequence comparison of HVS-I and HVS-II led to the identification of 167 different haplotypes characterized by 154 variable sites. One hundred and fifty-one of the haplotypes were individual-specific, 14 were found in two individuals and 2 were found in three individuals. A pairwise comparison of the 185 HVS-I/II sequences found an average of 10.11 +/- 4.63 differences between individuals. The random match probability and gene diversity for the combined hypervariable regions were estimated at 0.66% and 0.9988, respectively. Analyzing the expanded database including three previously reported data sets and the present data using haplogroup-based comparisons and comparison with closely related sequences allowed errors to be detected and eliminated, thus considerably improving data quality. Sample division comparisons based on PhiST genetic distance measures revealed no significant population differentiation in the distribution of mtDNA sequence variations between the present data set and a database in The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), but did indicate differences from other sets of data. Based on the results of mtDNA profiles, almost all of the mtDNA types studied here could be classified into subsets of haplogroups common in east Asia, and show that the Koreans possess lineages from both the southern and the northern haplogroup complexes of east Asian populations. The new data, combined with other mtDNA sequences, demonstrate how useful comparison with closely related mtDNA sequences can be for improving database quality, as well as providing haplotype information for forensic and population genetic analyses in the Korean population.     

NCBI数据库在常见嗜尸性蝇类种属鉴别中的应用

目的探讨NCBI数据库比对分析对常见嗜尸性蝇类种属鉴别中的应用价值。方法收集2009年1月至2012年12月重庆市常见嗜尸性蝇类不同发育历期2科5属7种样本52份,采用Chelexl00法提取mtDNA,利用2对引物扩增细胞色素C氧化酶辅酶I基因,分别截取498bp和841bp相同长度的序列,采用MEGA软件计算种内及种间进化分歧情况,并分别在NCBI数据库进行序列BLAST搜索种属同源性比对分析。结果所得序列种内进化分歧均数在0％～0．7％之间,种问进化分歧均数在7．5％～16．1％之间;7个种属的样本序列Ⅰ和序列Ⅱ分别有5个和6个种属完全比对正确,样本总体的正确率分别达到96．15％和98．08％,Maxident值均在97％以上。结论采用序列同源性比对分析,并借助NCBI数据库强大的检索分析功能,可准确进行常见嗜尸性蝇类的种属鉴定,为法医学死亡时间推断提供重要参考依据。     

Recommendations for consistent treatment of length variants in the human mitochondrial DNA control region

Human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis is a valuable forensic tool, useful in cases where the amount of extracted DNA is low or highly degraded. Population databases are used to determine the relative rarity of a particular profile obtained in a forensic case. Rather than full DNA sequence information, sequence profiles are compared to a reference sequence, and the differences from the reference are recorded in forensic databases. A standard method is proposed for characterizing length variants, and examples are described using actual human control region mtDNA profiles. Consistency in alignment and nomenclature avoids inadvertently describing two sequences as different when in fact they are the same.     

Molecular identification of poisonous pufferfishes and cross-atlantic genetic divergence patterns based on the mitochondrial COI gene

The Tetraodontidae is the most speciose family within the order Tetraodontiformes, being characterized by beak-like jaws and the presence of powerful neurotoxins Tetrodotoxin/Saxitoxin associated with soft tissues, inflation behavior under stress, a condition shared with its accepted sister-family Diodontidae. Although several studies, including both morphological and molecular analyses have been conducted in the last decade the phylogeny and biogeography of Tetraodontidae and its species remain under debate. Several fatal intoxication cases had been observed in the last years related with the ingestion of Tetraodontidae species all around the world. Although recent technological advances have facilitated the sequencing of an entire mitogenome (∼16Kb), increasing the use of mtDNA as a phylogenetic marker, several studies primarily focusing on small mtDNA regions are continuously conducted. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular identification and the cross-atlantic genetic divergence patterns observed from the mitochondrial COI gene of the poisonous genus Sphoeroides based on newly determined and previously published sequences from both North and South Atlantic Oceans.