Sequence variation in humans and other primates at six short tandem repeat loci used in forensic identity testing

A large number of alleles from the six different short tandem repeat (STR) loci FGA, D3S1358, vWA, CSF1PO, TPOX and TH01, used in human identity testing were sequenced to provide support for the robustness of fluorescent STR DNA typing by allele size. Sequence information for some of these loci (FGA, vWA, TH01) is an extension of published work, whereas no extensive sequence information is available with respect to the D3S1358, CSF1PO, and TPOX loci. Sequencing of alleles at each locus has provided quantitative data with respect to the true nucleotide length of common alleles, and of alleles that vary in length from the common alleles. All alleles that were identified as "off-ladder" alleles through fluorescent typing at these STR loci have proven to be true length variant alleles. Sequencing at the D3S1358 and CSF1PO loci allowed for the establishment of a common nomenclature for these loci. A correlation between percent stutter and the length of the core tandem repeat is demonstrated at the FGA locus. Alleles in which the core tandem repeat is interrupted by a repeat unit of different sequence have a reduced percent stutter. DNA samples from three non-human primates (chimpanzee, orangutan, and gorilla) were compared to the human sequences, and shown to differ markedly across loci with respect to their homology. The effects of primer binding site mutations on the amplification efficiency at a particular locus, and methods used to interpret amplification imbalance of heterozygous alleles at a locus is also addressed.     

The structure, frequency, and forensic application of the STR locus D16S543 in the Japanese population

D16S543 is a complex STR locus consisting of five types of repeat units. The frequency distribution and genetic characteristics of this locus in Japanese were investigated using blood samples from 124 unrelated Japanese and 15 families. Alleles were detected using denatured polyacrylamide gels followed by automated analysis on an ABI 373 sequencer using Genescan software 672. Twenty-one alleles were identified, ranging in size from 281 to 489 bp. An allelic ladder containing the 21 alleles was constructed and used as a typing standard. The repeat unit arrays allowed the 21 alleles to be classified into three distinct groups, including alleles 1 to 7 in group I, alleles 8 to 14 in group II, and alleles 15 to 22 in group III. The alleles in group II were characterized by the insertion of one repeat unit of CAGG, one of AAAG, and three of AAGG, while the group III alleles differed from those of groups I and II by the insertion of a total of 32 repeat units ranging in 5 types. Within each group, the alleles differed from each other only in one 5' side tetranucleotide AAGG. The power of discrimination (Pd) and the estimated heterozygosity were calculated to be 0.989 and 0.934, respectively. Typing of this locus was successfully applied in four old forensic materials. The study presented herein demonstrates that D16S543 is a highly polymorphic and applicable locus in Japanese.     

Genetic variation and population genetic data of the short tandem repeat locus D8S320

The locus D8S320 is an STR system first described in 1993 as a simple (AAAG) repeat. Sequencing data revealed that the D8S320 locus is a complex STR system consisting of (AAAG)- and (AAAC)-repeat units. A total of 22 different alleles were found in a population survey of 210 unrelated individuals from the Rhine area with frequencies ranging from <0.01 to 0.198. The population data revealed the existence of variant alleles differing by 1 and 2bp from the consensus allele. Due to the complex repeat structure consisting of three variable regions and one constant region, electrophoresis under denaturing conditions is strongly recommended. The statistical values were calculated to be 0.89 (observed heterozygosity rate), 0.96 (discrimination index) and 0.71 (mean exclusion chance). No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed.     

Importance of storing emergency serum samples for uncovering murder with insulin

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we studied the short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism observed at the D12S391 locus. In 350 Japanese examined, 14 different alleles ranging from 209 bp to 261 bp were detected. Allele 18 (221 bp) showed the highest frequency at 0.30. Observed and expected values of respective genotypes satisfied the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi 2 = 24.08, P = 0.24, df = 20). In addition, 18 additional sequence structures (suballeles), were detected in this study. Within the suballeles, sequence variants, in which the initial repeat of (AGAT) was replaced with (AGGT), was found in five samples. It was found that the analysis of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) before sequence analysis was useful for distinguishing these suballeles.     

成都地区汉族人群D2S441位点的遗传多态性研究

为研究 STR位点 D2S441的遗传多态性,为法医学应用提供基础数据,应用 PCR及 PAG电泳技术对 260名成都地区汉族无关个体进行了调查,共检出 9个等位基因及 26种基因型,首次获得汉族群体频率分布 ,其等位基因片段大小范围为 131～ 155bp。该位点基因型频率分布符合 Hardy－ Weinberg平衡。家系调查证实了等位基因的传递遵循孟德尔遗传规律。其个人识别能力（ Dp）、杂合度（ H）、多态性信息含量（ PIC）和非父排除率（ PE）分别为 0.9084、 0.7885、 0.7390和 0.5778,表明该位点在法医学个人识别及亲子鉴定中具有较高的实用价值。     

FAM羧基荧光素修饰引物检测D1S80基因座遗传多态性

目的建立用FAM羧基荧光素修饰引物检测DIS80基因座的方法。方法采用5-FAM修饰引物,通过PCR扩增,DNA全自动遗传分析仪进行片段长度分析,检测129名黑龙江汉族无关个体DIS80基因座遗传多态性。结果在所调查的129名黑龙江汉族无关个体样本中,DIS80基因座有21个等位基因,56个基因型,基因频率在0.0039-0.1667之间。杂合度(H)为0.9097,个人识别机率(PD)为0.9691,非父排除概率(PE)为0.8113,多态性信息总量(PIC)为0.8988。群体内基因型频率分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。结论FAM羧基荧光素修饰引物检测DIS80基因座的方法,简便、灵敏、稳定性好,DIS80基因座用于个体识别及亲权鉴定具有很高的实用价值。     

广东汉族人群D7S809的基因频率及其在亲子鉴定中的应用

利用PCR和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分型技术,调查了以四核苷酸为重复单位的位点D7S809在广东人群的群体资料。在190个被调查的个体中,共发现14个等位基因和50种基因型。经计算杂合率、个人识别率和非父排除率分别为0.8613、0.9645和0.7184,基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。D7S809位点已成功地应用于100例亲权鉴定案中。D7S809是一个高度多态性、稳定、易于分型的位点,在法医学上极有应用价值。     

Genetic diversity at 15 fluorescent-labeled short tandem repeat loci in the Patel and other communities of Gujarat, India

Thirteen tetranucleotide and 2 pentanucleotide repeat units were analyzed in 120 unrelated individuals of Patel and other communities of Gujarat, India. Allele frequency data obtained from the analysis of 15 short tandem repeat markers of the population were found to be satisfying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with marginal deviations. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed in Patel communities at locus vWA and for that of the other communities at locus D7S820 and at locus TPOX. The power of discrimination values on an average fall within the range of 0.718 and 0.870, with deviations at locus D3S1358 showing a value of 0.400 for Patels. The value ranged between 0.709 and 0.869, with slight variations among the studied alleles in the other group. Thus, the 15 markers selected for this study were found to be highly suitable in human identification and for providing information on genetic polymorphism of the population of Gujarat.     

中国成都汉族及泰国群体D7S2846基因座的遗传多态性

研究STR基因座D7S2 846的遗传多态性 ,为法科学应用提供基础数据。应用PCR及PAG电泳技术 ,对376名中国成都汉族无关个体及 131名泰国无关个体进行了调查。两群体分别检出 8个和 7个等位基因 ,首次获得该基因座基因在两群体中的频率分布。两群体基因型频率分布均符合Hardy Weinberg平衡。家系调查证实了等位基因的传递遵循孟德尔遗传规律。该基因座在两群体中的个人识别能力 (Dp)分别为 0 85 70、 0 86 0 2 ,杂合度 (H )分别为0 6 915、 0 6 870 ,多态性信息含量 (PIC)分别为 0 6 445、 0 6 5 5 3 ,非父排除率 (PE )分别为 0 415 2、 0 40 85。D7S2 846基因座在法医学个人识别及亲子鉴定中具有较高的实用价值。     

New alleles and mutational events in D12S391 and D8S1132: sequence data from an eastern German population.

To investigate the DNA mutation rate and pattern in the hypervariable short tandem repeat (STR) locus D12S391 and in the locus D8S1132, samples from an eastern German population (Dresden area) were analysed. A duplex PCR was applied, using short amplification products for D12S391 (129-177bp) and a modified reverse primer for D8S1132 (127-182bp). The sequences of some rare and new variant alleles are described. At the locus D12S391, 13 regular and six incomplete alleles with different lengths were found, exhibiting several sequence structures. Two isolated father/child mismatches were observed in a total of 648 meioses. Novel alleles 13.1, 14.1 and 27 were discovered at the locus D8S1132. Three parent/child mismatches were found in a total of 672 meioses.     

STR data for the power plex-16 loci in a population from Central Poland

The allele frequencies for the 13 CODIS core loci and two recently developed but not extensively validated in Central European populations pentanucleotide STRs (Penta E and D) were determined using the Power Plex-16 (Promega) kit in a sample of 430 unrelated individuals born in Central Poland. The calculated parameters of polymorphism showed Penta E to be the most valuable marker from the studied set. The obtained distribution of Penta E and D alleles was statistically significantly different from that previously reported for a population of Southern Poland. Analysis of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium revealed a deviation for the D5S818 locus which may reflect presence of a null allele.     

The short tandem repeat locus VWF2 in Intron 40 of the von Willebrand factor gene consists of two polymorphic sub-loci

This study describes the complex nucleotide sequence structure of the TCTA short tandem repeat (STR) locus, VWF2. Eight alleles of VWF2 were observed in a population of 116 unrelated Caucasian individuals. The alleles ranged in size from 150 to 178 base pairs (bp). Sequence analysis of the isolated alleles revealed two polymorphic regions that were named sub-loci VWF2-a and VWF2-b. VWF2-a is located at the 5' end of the conventional locus, whilst VWF2-b is located at the 3' end. The two sub-loci are joined by a 30-nucleotide non-polymorphic sequence which contains two additional TCTA motif repeats. A semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was designed to amplify the VWF2-b region in conjunction with the standard VWF2 amplification. This new amplification method enabled a higher level of allele discrimination than could be achieved by assigning alleles according to size. A cohort of 99 unrelated individuals was tested with this method. VWF2-a expressed five different alleles ranging from zero motif repeats to four motif repeats, while VWF2-b alleles ranged from 8 to 14 motif repeats. Allelic configuration based on the VWF2-a and VWF2-b sub-alleles revealed 23 unique configurations out of a possible 31 for the original eight VWF2 alleles. In conclusion, the VWF2 is a highly polymorphic STR locus with potential application for forensic and parentage testing.     

Hypervariable locus of the 3'-flanking region of the neurotensin receptor gene: an effective region for personal identification in forensic practice

We examined the complex short tandem repeat (STR) locus at the 3'-flanking region of the neurotensin receptor (NTR) gene. The polymorphism of this locus was first reported as a simple tetranucleotide repeat variation by Le et al., but it also offers a surprisingly informative variation, that permits reliable individual identification by two complementary strategies: fluorescent-labelled polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/electrophoresis and direct sequencing of the PCR products. We determined the alleles in 203 Japanese by fluorescent-labelled PCR/electrophoresis. Determination was based on their length with a reliability of +/-1 bp, and the frequency of each allele was very low. Sequencing analysis further grouped these alleles in detail. Sequencing demonstrated that the locus varied by six repetitive units and three insertion/deletion positions of nucleotide fragments. We detected multiple alleles having different structures even in the same allele length. We found structural differences in homozygous alleles having the same base pair size. We also determined that apparently homozygous alleles were heterozygous from sequencing electropherograms showing an overlap of nucleotides or +/-1 bp difference. These results indicate that this locus is structurally hypervariable in addition to having allelic length variations, promising a great advance in individual identification in forensic practice.     

Myotonic dystrophy CTG repeats in an Italian population sample: evaluation of the polymorphism for forensic applications

The myotonic dystrophy (DM) CTG repeat polymorphism has been studied in an Italian population sample. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, manual polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and silver staining were employed. Alleles were typed by comparison with a sequenced allelic ladder. A total of 25 different alleles, spanning the range from 5 to 31 CTG triplets, was observed. The heterozygosity was 79%, and no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found. Eighty-one meioses from parentage testing were also analyzed, and a Mendelian pattern of inheritance was observed in all cases. In addition, we could successfully type the DM locus in 20 laboratory-prepared bloodstains, with 1 ng of DNA allowing clear definition of alleles. We conclude that the CTG repeats at the DM locus may be useful for forensic applications.     

Development of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) database for Punjabis in East Punjab,India

In response to continuing interest in obtaining reference deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis data for previously unstudied population groups, blood samples were collected from Punjabi individuals living in East Punjab, India. This first segment of our research is focused on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, with future segments anticipated for various polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based techniques. In this study, the samples were subjected to RFLP analysis using HaeIII, followed by hybridization with variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) probes for loci D2S44, D1S7, D10S28, D4S139, D17S79 and D5S110. The band sizes of the resulting patterns were estimated using an FBI imaging system. The resulting data were subjected to statistical analysis for conformity with Hardy-Weinberg expectations, first for the total population of Punjabis, and additionally for the subgroups of Sikhs and Hindus. The loci are highly polymorphic in all sample populations studied. Except for D5S110, there is no evidence for departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for the VNTR loci in the population groups. In addition, there is little evidence of correlation between the alleles at any of the pairs of loci and no evidence of association across the six loci. Finally, the data suggest that a multiple locus VNTR profile would be rare in the Punjabi or either of its subgroups.     

Identification and characterization of variant alleles at CODIS STR loci

Short tandem repeat (STR) profiles from 32,671 individuals generated by the ABI Profiler Plus and Cofiler systems were screened for variant alleles not represented within manufacturer-provided allelic ladders. A total of 85 distinct variants were identified at 12 of the 13 CODIS loci, most of which involve a truncated tetranucleotide repeat unit. Twelve novel alleles, identified at D3S1358, FGA, D18S51, D5S818, D7S820 and TPOX, were confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis and include both insertions and deletions involving the repeat units themselves as well as DNA flanking the repeat regions. Population genetic data were collected for all variants and frequencies range from 0.0003 (many single observations) to 0.0042 (D7S820 '10.3' in North American Hispanics). In total, the variant alleles identified in this study are carried by 1.6% of the estimated 1 million individuals tested annually in the U.S. for the purposes of parentage resolution. A paternity case involving a recombination event of paternal origin is presented and demonstrates how variant alleles can significantly strengthen the genetic evidence in troublesome cases. In such instances, increased costs and turnaround time associated with additional testing may be eliminated.     

Further characterization and population data for the pentanucleotide STR polymorphism D10S2325.

Pentanucleotide tandem repeat markers are interesting for forensic sciences, because they may present less stutter on the electrophoretic pattern. We focused on the analysis of the DNA sequence for each allele at the pentanucleotide STR locus D10S2325 in order to understand their structures in the human genome and to construct human allelic ladder, which is necessary for forensic DNA typing. In order to evaluate the forensic applicability of D10S2325 and to construct a preliminary database, the genotype distributions and allele frequencies in three major ethnic groups were investigated. The population samples included Caucasians (Germans), Africans (African Americans), and Asians (Chinese). A total of 520 samples from unrelated individuals was analyzed by Amp-FLP. An example of each allele and new alleles were sequenced. Allele determination was carried out by comparison with a sequenced human allelic ladder made in-house. This pentanucleotide STR provided easily interpretable results. A total of 15 alleles was found in our population samples. Three new alleles were observed and named as alleles 19 and 21 based on the number of repeat motifs, while allele 19 can be divided further into two alleles, 19a and 19 according to analysis of the sequence. No evidence of deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed. In 64 confirmed father/mother/child triplets no mutation event was observed. Using a maximum likelihood method, the mutation rate was indirectly estimated as 2.5 x 10(-5). These results suggest that D10S2325 is a useful marker for forensic casework and paternity analysis.     

Allelic structure and distribution of two STR loci, D8S580 and D22S442, in the Japanese population

The allelic frequency and structural characteristics of two STR loci D8S580 and D22S442 were investigated using blood samples from 143 unrelated healthy Japanese individuals. Thirty-eight alleles in D8S580 locus and 13 alleles in D22S442 locus were identified. The discrimination power, heterozygosity, and the polymorphic information content of those loci displayed high values (0.98, 0.88, and 0.87 in D8S580 and 0.97, 0.86 and 0.85 in D22S442), and their frequency distributions met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations. The allelic pattern of D8S580 was complex and differentiated into three groups (group I: alleles 184-194bp; group II: alleles 203-223, 235, 239, 243, 252 and 255bp; group III: alleles 227-286bp). Most of their alleles contained five categories of repeat units (A: aaaag; B: aaag; C: aagg; D: caag; E: agaa). On the other hand, D22S442 contained only two types of repeat units (A: agga; B: aggg). The present study, hence, proves that both D8S580 and D22S442 are highly polymorphic and represent stable genetic markers applicable to forensic investigations.     

The analysis of three short tandem repeat (STR) loci in the Slovene population by multiplex PCR

Allele frequencies for three tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci D3S1358, HUMVWA, and HUMFGA were determined in a Slovene Caucasian population sample. DNA samples from a total of 221 Slovenes were amplified by multiplex PCR using the commercial kit AmpFISTR Blue (Perkin-Elmer). Separation and detection of the amplified STR fragments were carried out using a 377 automated genetic analyzer (Applied Biosystem Division/Perkin Elmer). Seven alleles at the D3S1358 locus, 8 alleles at the HUMVWA31A locus, and 13 alleles at the HUMFGA locus were observed. A deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed, only at the HUMVWA31A locus (p = 0.045, exact test). The departure at this locus was not significant after Bonferroni correction. There were no detectable departures between pairwise comparisons of the loci. The combined power of discrimination for all three loci is 0.9998, and the power of exclusion is 0.9526. The observed allele frequencies for the loci D3S1358, HUMVWA31A, and HUMFGA are similar to those in European and U.S. Caucasian populations.     

中国汉族人群15个STR基因座的等位基因频率调查

目的 调查10071名中国汉族无关个体15个STR基因座的等位基因的类型及其频率，并与以往相关文献报道的汉族群体资料进行统计比较。方法 应用PowerPlex~(TM)16荧光标记复合扩增系统，对10071份中国汉族无关个体的血样DNA进行15个STR基因座的复合扩增；用ABI 377或3100遗传分析仪对扩增产物进行分型，统计15个STR基因座的基因频率。结果 15个STR基因座共发现226个等位基因，频率在0.0001～0.5512；除D8S1179基因座外，其它基因座均发现稀有等位基因，数目1～7个不等，共34个。在中国汉族人群，稀有D21S11基因座的等位基因32.1和36.2，D18S51基因座的等位基因15.2和17.2，Penta E基因座的等位基因15.2、17.4、18.4、19.4、26和27，D7S820基因座的等位基因9.2、10.1、11.1和15，Penta D基因座的等位基因18、19和20，TPOX基因座的等位基因14，FGA基因座的等位基因13，以及较常见但欧洲稀有的D21S11基因座的等位基因30.3和D7S820基因座的等位基因9.1和9.2等均为首次报道。结论 大样本基因频率调查有利于观察STR基因座的稀有等位基因；本研究结果与以往相关文献报道的结果有不同程度的差异。