Long PCR for VNTR analysis

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the analysis of DNA from a variety of sources. With its sensitivity and ability to amplify degraded DNAs and small quantities of samples, coupled with fast turn-around-time, PCR is often the analytical method of choice for DNA profiling in forensic laboratories. RFLP methods, while requiring larger amounts of high molecular weight DNA and needing approximately 6-8 weeks of analytical time, still provide a higher power of discrimination per locus than that achieved using the loci currently available for PCR. The combination of both RFLP and PCR would be advantageous for some applications. A new technique, Long PCR, allows for the effective amplification of long DNA targets from approximately 0.5 kb to > 20 kb of genomic DNA. Currently, several Long PCR systems are commercially available. Using a Taq/Pyrococcus DNA polymerase enzyme system and DNA isolated from bloodstains, we have successfully amplified 1-20 ng of Chelex-extracted DNA, an amount commonly used in Amp-FLP technology. The robustness of Long PCR in comparison to RFLP was also examined through the use of partially degraded blood samples. Long PCR was then used to amplify both D2S44 and D5S110 RFLP loci. Although all D2 and D5 alleles were detected, the larger alleles were amplified at significantly lower levels than the smaller alleles.     

Characterization of new miniSTR loci to aid analysis of degraded DNA

A number of studies have demonstrated that successful analysis of degraded DNA specimens from mass disasters or forensic evidence improves with smaller sized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. We have scanned the literature for new STR loci, unlinked from the CODIS markers, which can generate amplicons less than 125 bp in size and would therefore be helpful in testing degraded DNA samples. New PCR primers were designed and tested for the STR loci D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434, and D22S1045, arranged into two miniSTR triplexes. All loci show a moderate degree of polymorphism among 474 U.S. population samples tested and were reliable and sensitive to at least 100 pg of DNA template under controlled laboratory conditions and pristine DNA samples. The utility of these new loci were confirmed in comparing the success of the miniSTR assays for typing degraded bone samples while partial profiles were observed with the majority of the samples using a commercial STR kit.     

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.     

PCR扩增循环数与低拷贝模板DNA的STR分型

目的探讨PCR扩增循环数对低拷贝模板DNA的STR分型的影响。方法模板DNA(9947A)的不同扩增用量(含低拷贝模板量),采用ProfilerPlus试剂盒,扩增循环数分别为28、30、32、34、38次,3100型基因分析仪(ABI,美国)检测结果。结果循环数从28次增至38次,模板DNA量最低检出量可从0.25ng减少至0.0312ng;先循环28次后,每反应加0.3μlAmpliTaqGoldDNA聚合酶,再循环6次较1次34个循环的检测灵敏度高,相当于1次38个循环的效果。结论增加PCR扩增循环数,可能影响低拷贝模板DNA的STR分型。     

Validation of the Short Amplicon Multiplex Q8 Including the German DNA Database Systems*

Abstract: We have developed a concept to enable the analyzing of degraded stains with limited DNA template quantity. Therefore we have constructed a short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex including the German DNA database systems (Q8). The amplicon lengths are smaller than 280 bp. For the validation of Q8 over 50 degraded samples were investigated. Amplifications were performed with “low copy number” PCR, the number of PCR cycles was increased to 33 and the reaction volume was decreased to 12.5 μL. Compared with the MPX2 and Nonaplex kit, the average success rate was increased using the Q8 kit by approximately 20% and 30%, respectively. The efficiency of a sensitive STR multiplex with reduced amplicon lengths was confirmed in comparing the success rates of Q8 for typing degraded samples and samples with limited amount of DNA template while partial profiles were observed with the majority of the samples using commercially available kits.     

19个常染色体与4个Y染色体STR复合扩增体系的建立

目的建立19个常染色体STR及Amelogenin和4个Y染色体STR基因座复合扩增体系,并对其效能进行评估。方法用五色荧光标记20＋4Y—STR基因座,建立同步扩增检测体系,用ABI3130XL遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行电泳,GeneMapperID3．2软件进行基因分型;检测体系的灵敏度、均衡性、稳定性、特异性、同一性和稳定性,并观察混合、降解及微量检材的分型情况。结果采用本文体系,DNA模板量在0．05～1．00ng时,分型准确,均衡性、特异性好;混合、降解及微量检材分型正确。该19个常染色体STR基因座的累计个人识别率大于0．999999999,三联体累计非父排除率达0．999999985,Y—STR单倍型多态性为0．592。结论本文建立的复合扩增体系分型准确,稳定,在法医学案件检验及数据库建设等方面有良好的应用前景。     

Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping of keratinised hair. Part 2. An optimised genomic DNA extraction procedure reveals donor dependence of STR profiles

A feasibility study of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping of telogen phase hairs in particular, and hair shaft in general, is presented. A number of extraction procedures in common use were investigated and the quantities of nuclear DNA (nuDNA) delivered were quantified via a real-time PCR assay. The extracts were subjected to two variations on AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus PCR amplification strategies (extended cycles, two rounds of PCR) and the genotypes compared. Nuclear DNA was found to persist in human hair shafts, albeit at very low levels. Full Profiler Plus profiles consistent with the hair donor were obtained from 100 mg hair shaft samples (bleached and unbleached). These were, however, mixed profiles, indicating low copy number (LCN) contamination in the extracts. Single telogen hair clubs and single hair shafts delivered partial profiles with usually only one allele of heterozygous loci. Telogen phase hairs yielded the same amount of nuDNA (and no more) as hair shafts (either anagen or telogen). Whether hair shafts dissolved or not in lysis buffer had no effect on either the quantitated yield of DNA or on the chance of obtaining a correct genotype. These results provide evidence that genomic DNA resides on the exterior of the hair shaft and we use this information to suggest an optimal procedure for nuDNA extraction from keratinised hair samples: soaking hairs in simple digestion buffers containing Tris-HCl, a salt and a chelating agent without prior cleaning of the hair shafts. It is proposed that cleaning removes most of the recoverable DNA. This procedure was applied to obtain genotypes from 3 cm hair shafts which matched reference profiles from the donors at up to 9 out of 10 AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus STR loci. When the genotyping success was measured by counting the number of matches between the two dominant alleles at each locus for each extract with the reference DNA profile of the hair donor, the success was found to be highly dependent on the donor. The number of matching alleles varied between not less than 10 for one donor to no more than two for another donor. These results may well be linked to the environmental experience of the hairs from each donor prior to removal.     

Construction and application of four fluorescence labeled multiplex typing system for 3 miniSTR loci

We constructed a multiplex PCR system for 3 miniSTR loci D20S482, D3S3053, D6S474. This typing system showed high stability and sensitivity (0.05 ng). Population data investigated in 120 healthy unrelated Chinese Han individuals showed higher genetic polymorphism, with the combined power of discrimination and power of exclusion being 0.998 and 0.84. The amplification product length ranged from 88 bp to 127 bp for all three loci. The successful rate of typing highly degraded samples using this miniSTR multiplex PCR system was significantly higher than using identifiler kit, indicating the multiplex set represents a useful tool in Chinese forensic practice, especially for the highly degraded DNA sample.     

Mitochondrial DNA and STR typing of matter adhering to an earphone

STR typing and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing were performed on the matter adhering to an earphone found at a crime scene. Experimental studies were carried out using the earphones provided by volunteers. By means of immunohistochemistry, keratinocytes and a portion of nucleated epithelial cells were proven to exist in the contents from the earphones. DNA was extracted by means of the phenol/chloroform method, and the low quantity of extracted DNA was found to be highly degraded. Six STR loci, CSFIPO, TPOX, TH01, F13A01, FESFPS and vWA, were PCR amplified and typed by using two triplex systems (CTT and FFv Multiplexes, Promega, WI), and an amelogenin locus was determined as well. Although partial profiles were observed in some experimental samples, all STR loci could be typed when a considerable amount of high molecular weight DNA was obtained (>0.5 ng/microL). Amplification and sequencing of mtDNA hypervariable region I(15997-16401) and hypervariable region 11(29-408) were all successful. The mitochondrial DNA sequence of the actual case sample, comprising two hypervariable regions and a total of 785 base pairs, showed eight mutations and two insertions with respect to the standard published reference sequence. The genotype was unique in the three published Japanese databases. These results suggest that it is possible to analyze mtDNA from minute amounts of materials and from degraded materials more effectively and routinely in forensic practice.     

Persisting fetal microchimerism does not interfere with forensic Y-chromosome typing

Forensic Y-chromosome typing applies Y-chromosomal polymorphisms to the analysis of male/female mixed stains such as vaginal swabs in rape cases. The sensitivity of this approach exceeds that of cytological techniques combined with autosomal DNA typing. Y-chromosome typing is based on the assumption that Y-chromosomal DNA found in tissue or secretions of women must originate from a male individual, usually the perpetrator. Nevertheless, it was shown recently that fetal cells can migrate into the female body during pregnancy and can persist for decades ("persisting fetal microchimerism"). The body of a woman after a pregnancy with a male embryo can thus display a small fraction of fetal cells with Y-chromosomes. Using high sensitivity PCR protocols (reamplification with nested primers and up to 60 PCR cycles) fetal cells were previously identified in a number of maternal tissues including skin, blood, muscle and solid organs. It is, however, not clear at present, whether these cells can occur in vaginal secretions, and whether they are capable of producing false positive results in forensic Y-chromosome typing. To evaluate these questions, 66 blood samples of women with at least one son and nine vaginal swabs of women without sexual intercourse in the last 2 weeks were amplified for a stretch of the SRY gene. Eight thyroid gland tissues with already established male fetal microchimerism were used as positive control samples. Blood samples of 10 young girls without history of pregnancy were used as negative controls. Using a PCR with 10 ng of extracted DNA and 30 PCR cycles ("routine sensitivity assay") none of the samples yielded positive results. However, in a PCR with 200 ng of extracted DNA and 45 PCR cycles ("high sensibility assay"), 14% of the blood samples of mothers and 33% of the vaginal swabs amplified for SRY. Our results thus show that increasing the sensitivity of the PCR method and the amount of template DNA produce positive results while protocols used for routine Y-chromosomal typing with small amounts of DNA (approximately 10 ng of DNA) and with a limited number of PCR cycles (approximately 30) can clearly eliminate this peril.     

3个miniSTR基因座在高度降解检材中的应用及其遗传多态性

目的研究D1S1677、D4S2364、D10S1248 3个m in iSTR基因座在DNA高度降解检材中的法医学应用价值并调查河北地区汉族人群3个基因座的遗传多态性。方法对所有样本的3个基因座进行PCR扩增;PCR产物在AB I3100 Avant基因分析仪上电泳分离;GeneScan 3.7及Genotyper3.7软件分析结果。结果3个m in iSTR基因座均获得了清晰的基因型分型结果,扩增片段均小于125bp,分别检出7,5,8个等位基因和12,10,16种基因型,基因型分布均符合Hardy-W e inberg平衡。3个基因座在河北汉族人群的非父排除率和个人识别力分别为0.3530、0.3637、0.4901和0.7954、0.8113、0.8913。结论3个m in iSTR基因座在DNA高度降解检材的法医学分析中具有较高应用价值,并且在河北地区汉族人群中具有较好的遗传多态性。     

STR analysis of artificially degraded DNA-results of a collaborative European exercise

Degradation of human DNA extracted from forensic stains is, in most cases, the result of a natural process due to the exposure of the stain samples to the environment. Experiences with degraded DNA from casework samples show that every sample may exhibit different properties in this respect, and that it is difficult to systematically assess the performance of routinely used typing systems for the analysis of degraded DNA samples. Using a batch of artificially degraded DNA with an average fragment size of approx. 200 bp a collaborative exercise was carried out among 38 forensic laboratories from 17 European countries. The results were assessed according to correct allele detection, peak height and balance as well as the occurrence of artefacts. A number of common problems were identified based on these results such as strong peak imbalance in heterozygous genotypes for the larger short tandem repeat (STR) fragments after increased PCR cycle numbers, artefact signals and allelic drop-out. Based on the observations, strategies are discussed to overcome these problems. The strategies include careful balancing of the amount of template DNA and the PCR cycle numbers, the reaction volume and the amount of Taq polymerase. Furthermore, a careful evaluation of the results of the fragment analysis and of automated allele calling is necessary to identify the correct alleles and avoid artefacts.     

PCR扩增3因素对低拷贝模板STR分型的影响研究

目的探讨低拷贝模板(low copy number,LCN)STR扩增方法,提高LCN检材的检验成功率。方法采用Profiler P lusTM试剂盒与9947A对照DNA,改变Taq酶量、体系、循环次数3个因素进行扩增检验,了解各变量对扩增检测的影响。结果对低拷贝模板DNA,单纯增加Taq酶量或反应体系,扩增效率改善不明显;增加循环数,显著提高检验灵敏度;低于0.01ng的模板DNA,同时增加扩增体系、Taq酶量、循环数在一定程度上提高扩增效率。结论对于影响扩增的Taq酶量、体系、循环次数3个因素中,循环数影响最大,但应慎用34次及以上循环数;三者同时增加,对于低于0.01ng模板DNA的扩增可有效改善。     

荧光标记STR分型技术检验腐败组织基因型

探讨腐败组织荧光标记STR分型检测技术的应用价值。应用含12个STR基因座及一个性别基因座的2个荧光标记的复合扩增系统,对40例1～6周的腐败肌肉提取的DNA进行扩增,用变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,PE377测序仪分析基因型。所检测样本在12个STR基因座均扩增出特异性谱带,并可判定其基因型。荧光标记STR检测技术对腐败组织分型可靠,在实际检案中具有较高的应用价值。     

The application of miniplex primer sets in the analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains

A new set of multiplexed PCR primers has been applied to the analysis of human skeletal remains to determine their efficacy in analyzing degraded DNA. These primer sets, known as Miniplexes, produce shorter amplicons (50-280 base pairs (bp)) than standard short tandem repeat (STR) kits, but still utilize the 13 CODIS STR loci, providing results that are searchable on national DNA databases. In this study, a set of 31 different human remains were exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, extracted, and amplified with commercial and Miniplex DNA typing kits. The amplification efficiency of the Miniplex sets was then compared with the Promega PowerPlex 16 system. Sixty-four percent of the samples generated full profiles when amplified with the Miniplexes, while only 16% of the samples generated full profiles with the Powerplex 16 kit. Complete profiles were obtained for 11 of the 12 Miniplex loci with amplicon sizes less than 200 bp. These data suggest smaller PCR amplicons may provide a useful alternative to mitochondrial DNA for anthropological and forensic analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains.     

Validation of a 21-locus autosomal SNP multiplex for forensic identification purposes

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) multiplex has been developed to analyse highly degraded and low copy number (LCN) DNA template, i.e. <100 pg, for scenarios including mass disaster identification. The multiplex consists of 20 autosomal non-coding loci plus Amelogenin for sex determination, amplified in a single tube PCR reaction and visualised on the Applied Biosystems 3100 capillary electrophoresis (CE) system. Allele-specific primers tailed with shared universal tag sequences were designed to speed multiplex design and balance the amplification efficiencies of all loci through the use of a single reverse and two differentially labelled allele denoting forward universal primers. As the multiplex is intended for use with samples too degraded for conventional profiling, a computer program was specifically developed to aid interpretation. Critical factors taken into account by the software include empirically determined extremes of heterozygous imbalance (Hb) and the drop-out threshold (Ht) defined as the maximum peak height of a surviving heterozygous allele, where its partner may have dropped out. The discrimination power of the system is estimated at 1 in 4.5 million, using a White Caucasian population database. Comparisons using artificially degraded samples profiled with both the SNP multiplex and AMPFISTR SGM plus (Applied Biosystems) demonstrated a greater likelihood of obtaining a profile using SNPs for certain sample types. Saliva stains degraded for 147 days generated an 81% complete SNP profile whilst short tandem repeats (STRs) were only 18% complete; similarly blood degraded for 243 days produced full SNP profiles but only 9% with STRs. Reproducibility studies showed concordance between SNP profiles for different sample types, such as blood, saliva, semen and hairs, for the same individual, both within and between different DNA extracts.     

A LDR‐PCR Approach for Multiplex Polymorphisms Genotyping of Severely Degraded DNA with Fragment Sizes <100 bp*

Abstract: Reducing amplicon sizes has become a major strategy for analyzing degraded DNA typical of forensic samples. However, amplicon sizes in current mini‐short tandem repeat‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mini‐sequencing assays are still not suitable for analysis of severely degraded DNA. In this study, we present a multiplex typing method that couples ligase detection reaction with PCR that can be used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms and small‐scale insertion/deletions in a sample of severely fragmented DNA. This method adopts thermostable ligation for allele discrimination and subsequent PCR for signal enhancement. In this study, four polymorphic loci were used to assess the ability of this technique to discriminate alleles in an artificially degraded sample of DNA with fragment sizes <100 bp. Our results showed clear allelic discrimination of single or multiple loci, suggesting that this method might aid in the analysis of extremely degraded samples in which allelic drop out of larger fragments is observed.     

Development and validation of the AmpFlSTR MiniFiler PCR Amplification Kit: a MiniSTR multiplex for the analysis of degraded and/or PCR inhibited DNA

DNA typing of degraded DNA samples can be a challenging task when using the current commercially available multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) analysis kits. However, the ability to type degraded DNA specimens improves by redesigning current STR marker amplicons such that smaller sized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products are generated. In an effort to increase the amount of information derived from these types of DNA samples, the AmpFlSTR MiniFiler PCR Amplification Kit has been developed. The kit contains reagents for the amplification of eight miniSTRs which are the largest sized loci in the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit (D7S820, D13S317, D16S539, D21S11, D2S1338, D18S51, CSF1PO, and FGA). Five of these STR loci (D16S539, D21S11, D2S1338, D18S51, and FGA) also are some of the largest loci in the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus kit. This informative nine-locus multiplex, which includes the gender-identification locus Amelogenin, has been validated according to the FBI/National Standards and SWGDAM guidelines. Our results demonstrate significant performance improvements in models of DNA degradation, PCR inhibition, and nonprobative samples when compared to the AmpFlSTR Identifiler and SGM Plus kits. These data support that the MiniFiler kit will increase the likelihood of obtaining additional STR information from forensic samples in situations in which standard STR chemistries fail to produce complete profiles.     

Development of a real-time method to detect DNA degradation in forensic samples

Abstract: Knowledge of the degradation state of evidentiary DNA samples would allow selection of the appropriate analysis method (standard short tandem repeats [STRs] vs. mini STRs vs. mtDNA). This article describes the development of a Plexor® technology/real‐time PCR DNA degradation detection assay, which uses a common forward primer and two reverse primers (different fluorophores) to generate two Alu amplicons (63 and 246 bp). This very sensitive assay was optimized for reaction volume, cycle number, anneal/extend time, and temperature. Using DNA samples degraded with DNaseI, the ratio of the concentration of the short amplicon to the concentration of the long amplicon (degradation ratio) was increased versus time of degradation. Experiments were performed on a variety of environmentally degraded samples (age, sunlight, heat) and with seven commonly encountered forensic inhibitors. The degradation ratio was found to predict the observed loss of larger STR loci seen in the analysis of comprised samples.     

MiniSTR multiplex systems based on non-CODIS loci for analysis of degraded DNA samples

We describe two short amplicon autosomal short tandem repeat (miniSTR) quadruplex systems for eight loci D1S1171, D2S1242, D3S1545, D4S2366, D12S391, D16S3253, D20S161, and D21S1437, unlinked from the combined DNA index system (non-CODIS) loci, using newly designed primer sets. The results of an assay of 411 Japanese individuals showed that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products within the eight loci were less than 150bp in size, without the seven additional bases for adenylation. The frequency distributions in the loci showed no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations. The accumulated power of discrimination and power of exclusion for the eight loci were 0.9999999991 and 0.998, respectively. For assay of highly degraded DNA, including artificially degraded samples and the degraded forensic casework samples assessed with the present miniSTR quadruplex systems, the systems proved quite effective in analyzing degraded DNA.