Developmental validation of a Cannabis sativa STR multiplex system for forensic analysis

A developmental validation study based on recommendations of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) was conducted on a multiplex system of 10 Cannabis sativa short tandem repeat loci. Amplification of the loci in four multiplex reactions was tested across DNA from dried root, stem, and leaf sources, and DNA from fresh, frozen, and dried leaf tissue with a template DNA range of 10.0-0.01 ng. The loci were amplified and scored consistently for all DNA sources when DNA template was in the range of 10.0-1.0 ng. Some allelic dropout and PCR failure occurred in reactions with lower template DNA amounts. Overall, amplification was best using 10.0 ng of template DNA from dried leaf tissue indicating that this is the optimal source material. Cross species amplification was observed in Humulus lupulus for three loci but there was no allelic overlap. This is the first study following SWGDAM validation guidelines to validate short tandem repeat markers for forensic use in plants.     

Chelex-100提取生物检材DNA实时PCR定量研究

目的研究Chelex-100法提取的生物检材DNA用量与复合STR分型成功率的关系。方法113份各种生物检材采用Chelex-100法提取DNA，应用Quantifiler人类DNA定量试剂盒在ABI 7500荧光定量PCR仪上进行实时PCR定量，同时用Identifiler复合扩增系统在ABI 3100遗传分析仪上对这些DNA样品进行STR分型。结果各种生物检材提取的DNA浓度分别为：37份滤纸、纱布血痕0．042～5．28ng／μl，16份口腔拭子1．15—4．21ng／μl，18份烟头0．016～1．46ng／μl，10份肋软骨0．531—14．40ng／μl，8份肌肉5．75—24．80ng／μl，7份指甲0．788—11．50ng／μl，17份精斑0．79～99．50ng／μl。在建立的8μl扩增体系中，根据上述结果，调整用于复合STR扩增的DNA模板量在0．5—3ng之间，大部分样品可获得完全的STR分型。结论Chelex-100法提取的检材DNA模板用量在0．5—3ng之间可得到有效STR扩增，浓度为0．5ng／μl以上的DNA样品，用小体积模板（1μl）比大体积（3μl）模板扩增效果好。     

Molecular Assay for Screening and Quantifying DNA in Biological Evidence: The Modified Q‐TAT Assay*

Abstract: A method is described for the quantitation of total human and male DNA. Q‐TAT utilizes end‐point, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the amelogenin and SRY loci to quantify DNA and incorporates a cloned nonhuman template to detect PCR inhibition. Standard curves of fluorescence from amelogenin or SRY amplicons were generated from amplification of known amounts of NIST traceable SRM‐female or SRM‐male DNA. Curves showed good linearity up to 500 pg of SRM‐template (R² > 0.99) and reliably estimated total and male DNA content in casework samples. The nonhuman pRL_null template included in each PCR was a sensitive indicator of known PCR inhibitors including EDTA, hemin, blue denim dye, and humic acid. Finally, the SRY amplicon was a sensitive indicator of male DNA and, in mixtures, could reliably estimate male DNA present in an excess of female DNA. The Q‐TAT multiplex is a reliable quantitation method for forensic DNA typing.     

6个Y-STR荧光复合扩增系统的建立及应用

目的建立6个Y-STR荧光复合扩增体系,评价其法医学应用价值。方法设计DYS444,GATA-A7.2,GATA-A10,DYS390,GATA-A7.1,DYS443荧光复合扩增引物,扩增总体积20μL,内含模板DNA0.5～10ng,PCR产物用3130遗传分析仪电泳,GenemapperID v 3.2分析结果,根据等位基因标准命名各等位基因,并评价该系统的特异性、准确性、均衡性、灵敏度及对混合血样的分析能力。结果当dNTP、Mg2+分别为200μmol/L、1.5mmol/L时扩增效果最佳,0.5～10ngDNA模板量均能获得较好的扩增效果,各基因座分型结果清晰,扩增均衡,特异性强,重现性好,基本满足实际应用的性能要求。对湖北汉族群体进行遗传学调查,结果GD值0.580 3～0.722 3,共检出158种单倍型,其多样性为0.995 8。结论本文6个Y-STR扩增系统分型可靠,配合常用Y-STR分型试剂盒,可进一步提高个体识别能力。     

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.     

Multiplex short tandem repeat amplification of low template DNA samples with the addition of proofreading enzymes

Abstract:  With <100 pg of template DNA, routine short tandem repeat (STR) analysis often fails, resulting in no or partial profiles and increased stochastic effects. To overcome this, some have investigated preamplification methods that include the addition of proofreading enzymes to the PCR cocktail. This project sought to determine whether adding proofreading polymerases directly in the STR amplification mixture would improve the reaction when little template DNA is available. Platinum Taq High Fidelity and GeneAmp High Fidelity were tested in Profiler Plus? STR reactions alone and in combination with AmpliTaq^® Gold. All reactions included the additional step of a post‐PCR purification step. With both pristine low template DNA and casework samples, the addition of these polymerases resulted in comparable or no improvement in the STR amplification signal. Further, stochastic effects and artifacts were observed equally across all enzyme conditions. Based on these studies, the addition of these proofreading enzymes to a multiplex STR amplification is not recommended for low template DNA work.     

Rapid amplification of commercial STR typing kits

Forensic DNA typing is currently conducted in approximately 8–10 h. The process includes DNA extraction, quantitation, multiplex PCR amplification, and fragment length detection. Today's commercial multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) typing kits are not optimized for rapid PCR thermal cycling. Current protocols require approximately 3 h for amplifying a multiplex containing 15 STR loci plus amelogenin. With the continuing development of miniaturization technologies such as microfluidic and micro-capillary devices, there is a desire to reduce the overall time required to type DNA samples. Such miniature devices could be used for initial screening at a crime scene, at a border, and at airports. There is also the benefit of reducing the required PCR amplification time for labs typing single-source reference samples. Surveys of fast processing polymerases working in combination with rapid cycling protocols have resulted in the development of a ‘rapid’ PCR amplification protocol. Results are obtained in less than 36 min run on a standard peltier-based thermal cycler employing a heating rate of 4 °C/s. Capillary electrophoresis characterization of the PCR products indicates good peak balance between loci, strong signal intensity and minor adenylation artifacts. Genotyping results are concordant with standard amplification conditions utilizing a standard 3 h (non-rapid) thermal cycling procedure. The rapid assay conditions are robust enough to routinely amplify 0.5 ng of template DNA (with 28 cycles).     

混合生物样品的组分分析及其STR基因型判定

目的应用荧光标记STR多基因座联合检测技术对混合生物样品较少组分最低比例检出限和STR基因型的判定进行研究。方法 将已知浓度的人标准细胞系DNA:9947A和K562分别按照1:1、1:4、1:9、1:19、1:39、1:59、1:79和1:99比例混合后作为扩增模板,应用Profiler plus试剂盒对D3S1358、VWA、FGA、D8S1179、D21S11、D18S51、D5S818、D13S317、D7S820和性别鉴定基因座检验。结果在比例为1:19时能明确判定两个体各基因座基因型,且两样品基因型结果峰高平均值之比与样品浓度之比正相关。结论应用荧光标记STR多基因座联合检测技术可以对一定比例的混合生物样品进行STR基因型判定,并对其混合比例状况进行大致推断。     

Locked nucleic acids: Increased trace DNA amplification success with improved primers

Locked nucleic acids (LNAs) are a conformationally restricted DNA analog, which can be incorporated into oligonucleotides to increase binding strength. To investigate if LNAs increase amplification success for trace DNA samples in a forensic context, primer sequences for four routinely used STR loci (FGA, D7S820, D13S317 and D18S51) have been altered to include LNA bases. The LNA modified primers display a broader tolerance to a range of reaction conditions compared to unmodified DNA primers, with higher T_ms giving increased specificity. Increased peak heights, improved peak height ratios and decreased template requirements were seen with LNA primers. The increased amplification success of LNA primers, and broader range of optimal reaction conditions, suggest that using LNA primers for multiplex STR genotyping assays could be highly beneficial for trace DNA genotyping.     

TWGDAM validation of a nine-locus and a four-locus fluorescent STR multiplex system

The Gene Print PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin and FFFL Fluorescent STR Systems have been validated following the recommendations presented by the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM). The PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin System supports simultaneous amplification of eight short tandem repeat loci and the Amelogenin gender identification marker. The loci D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, and D5S818 are labeled with fluorescein (FL) while the loci CSF1PO, TP0X, TH01, vWA and Amelogenin are labeled with carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine (TMR). The FFFL Multiplex System is composed of the loci F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, and LPL, each labeled with fluorescein. We have observed no overlap of alleles across loci labeled with an individual fluorescent dye. Samples of each system were amplified and labeled in a single reaction, separated by electrophoresis through a denaturing polyacrylamide gel, and amplified alleles detected using a Hitachi FMBIO Fluorescent Scanner. Alterations from the standard amplification protocols in cycle number and annealing temperature generally produced excellent results. In experiments testing sensitivity as little as 0.2 ng of DNA template could be detected. As expected, different body fluids from the same individuals generated identical DNA profile results. Template DNA derived from blood-strains deposited on a variety of matrix supports displayed robust amplification except for material derived from deposits on wood and Japanese orchid leaves. Mixtures of DNA templates could be interpreted with the minor component present in as little as ten percent of the total sample. Monoplex and multiplex amplifications produced identical amplified allele patterns, indicating that STR multiplex systems save template and increase efficiency in the amplification procedure without loss of quality. Analyses of genotype frequencies in African-American, Caucasian-American and Hispanic-American populations using all twelve loci were used to determine matching probabilities smaller than 1 in 1.14 x 10(8) and 1 in 2658 for the PowerPlex 1.1 and the FFFL Multiplex Systems, respectively. The matching probability achieved with the two systems combined is smaller than 1 in 3.03 x 10(11). The independence of alleles within loci was generally demonstrated by applying the exact test to demonstrate Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. All of the studies performed indicate that the PowerPlex 1.1/Amelogenin and FFFL Multiplex Systems are powerful, robust, and reliable investigative tools that can be used in the analysis of forensic samples.     

两个体混合样本比例的PCR-STR检测研究

目的探讨PCR-STR检测两个体混合样本比例的灵敏度。方法按不同比例将两个体全血、单个核细胞及纯DNA 3种不同的样本进行混合,应用AB I公司生产的profile p lus商品化试剂盒多重PCR扩增后,用AB I3100基因分析仪进行毛细管电泳,检测基因座及其峰面积,并就混合样本中两单个核细胞样本DNA含量百分比与扩增前混合样本比例的关系进行相关分析。结果当样本混合比例为4%+96%时,可明确区分混合样本中两个体的基因型,且扩增前混合细胞百分率与扩增后两者峰面积比值呈直线相关。结论PCR-STR检测两个体混合样本比例的灵敏度有一定范围,并可进行半定量。     

吸附性载体上微量血痕的DNA分型

目的研究吸附性载体上微量血痕的DNA提取及其检验。方法用Chelex-100法、QIAamp MiniKit、及QIAamp Mini Kit改良法提取吸附性载体上微量血痕中的DNA,进行PCR扩增及STR检验。结果采用Chelex-100法及QIAamp Mini Kit的分型成功率很低;采用QIAamp Mini Kit的改良法能较好的得到分型图谱。结论采用QIAamp Mini Kit的改良法能较好的提取吸附性载体上微量血痕的模板DNA。     

Validation and casework testing of the BioPlex-11 for STR typing of telogen hair roots

A new STR typing strategy has been developed allowing the simultaneous amplification and subsequent analysis of 11 polymorphic systems with amplicon sizes smaller than 270bp. The multiplex amplification reaction includes six STR loci from the European standard set of loci (ESS) for DNA databases (D3S1358, D8S1179, D21S11, THO1, FGA and VWA) as well as four additional STR systems selected for their robustness (D2S1338, D12S391, TPOX and D5S818) together with the sex-specific locus amelogenin. After PCR amplification, the multiplex reaction is splitted into two sets of STR multiplexes by using biotin labelled primers only for one set. Using streptavidin-coated Sepharose beads five STR systems are separated from the other six systems prior to being analysed in two different runs on a capillary gel electrophoresis instrument. The multiplex system was developed and tested especially for the use in forensic casework if only limited amounts or highly degraded DNA is available, for instance, when isolated from telogen hair roots.     

Single primer extension (SPEX) amplification to accurately genotype highly damaged DNA templates

High levels of non-authentic sequence data can be generated by traditional PCR-based methodologies when DNA is damaged, template numbers are small and/or the target amplification size too large. We therefore present an alternate methodology based on single primer extension (SPEX) amplification; that places no pre-defined size constraints on amplification and interacts with only one of the DNA strands at the target locus.     

mRNA荧光复合扩增系统鉴别正常和异常精液初探

目的构建mRNA荧光复合扩增体系,实现对不同种类精液(尤其是无精症精液)的区分鉴别。方法收集正常、少精症及无精症的精液样本,制备精斑样本后提取细胞总RNA,利用逆转录PCR技术扩增2个精子特异mRNA标记(PRM1、PRM2)、2个精浆特异mRNA标记(TGM4、SEMG1)和2个管家基因mRNA标记(TEF、UCE)。结果正常精液样本可检测到全部精液mRNA标记表达;少精症精液样本虽然可检测到全部mRNA标记表达,但精子特异mRNA标记表达量较低;无精症精液样本不能检测到精子mRNA标记,只能检测到精浆特异mRNA标记。结论利用mRNA荧光复合扩增系统可以实现对正常和无精症精液的区分,而正常精液和少精症精液相比差异无统计学意义。     

A modified direct PCR amplification method using the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit on bloodstains collected using microFLOQ™ direct swabs

The standard forensic DNA analysis workflow typically encompasses DNA extraction, quantification, STR-PCR amplification, and CE detection. A direct PCR amplification method eliminates the extraction and quantification steps, shortening the turnaround time for DNA profiling. However, a limitation to the direct PCR amplification method lies in its inability to allow for additional PCR amplification on the same sample. We found that replicate PCR amplifications can be afforded with the following modification to the direct PCR amplification method: after sample collection, the microFLOQ™ Direct swabs were incubated in low TE buffer prior to PCR amplification of the lysate. With replicate amplifications, the impact of stochastic effects during STR-PCR amplification on DNA profile interpretation would be reduced. Additionally, adjustments can be made to template volumes in subsequent amplifications, preventing oversaturated PCR reactions. Our results showed that this modified direct amplification method gave comparable median peak heights, allele recovery and intra-locus peak-height-ratio to those of the standard workflow, while maintaining the advantage of minimal evidence consumption.     

Determining the Source of Equine Bloodstains by Dinucleotide Repeats*

Abstract: A novel multiplex of independent dinucleotide tandem repeat (DTR) loci was previously described that is capable of not only discriminating human and equine DNA, but of identifying a single equine source. We report a case in which a bloodstained syringe and two needles were found during inspection of a barn by inspectors of the Pennsylvania Racing Commissions. Using the multiplex and single‐locus detection, all 21 equine DTR markers were detected in a suspect horse and two evidence samples, indicating the evidence samples came from the suspect animal. Only six markers were detected in the third evidence sample because the volume of blood was limited. Following whole‐genome amplification and single‐locus PCR, the third evidence sample detected a total of 17 markers and the likelihood of identity (probability from suspect horse/probability from a random pacer) was 7.0 × 10⁶. The DTR multiplex has some technical limitations, but it is already practical for casework.     

Evaluation of real-time PCR amplification efficiencies to detect PCR inhibitors

Real-time PCR analysis is a sensitive template DNA quantitation strategy that has recently gained considerable attention in the forensic community. However, the utility of real-time PCR methods extends beyond quantitation and allows for simultaneous evaluation of template DNA extraction quality. This study presents a computational method that allows analysts to identify problematic samples with statistical reliability by comparing the amplification efficiencies of unknown template DNA samples with clean standards. In this study, assays with varying concentrations of tannic acid are used to evaluate and adjust sample-specific amplification efficiency calculation methods in order to optimize their inhibitor detection capabilities. Kinetic outlier detection and prediction boundaries are calculated to identify amplification efficiency outliers. Sample-specific amplification efficiencies calculated over a four-cycle interval starting at the threshold cycle can be used to detect reliably the presence of 0.4 ng of tannic acid in a 25 microL PCR reaction. This approach provides analysts with a precise measure of inhibition severity when template samples are compromised. Early detection of problematic samples allows analysts the opportunity to consider inhibitor mitigation strategies prior to genotype or DNA sequence analysis, thereby facilitating sample processing in high-throughput forensic operations.