Forensic utility of the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 of domestic dogs, in conjunction with breed and geographic information

The 608-bp hypervariable region 1 (HV1) sequences from 36 local dogs were analyzed to characterize the population genetic structure of canid mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Sixteen haplotypes were identified. A 417-bp segment of this sequence was compared with GenBank sequences from a geographically representative sample of 201 dogs, two coyotes, and two wolves. Sixty-six haplotypes were identified including 62 found only in domestic dogs. Fourteen of these correspond to the 16 local haplotypes and were among the most frequent haplotypes. The local sample was judged to be representative of the much broader geographic sample. No correlation was observed between local haplotypes and the owner's characterization of dog breed. A 60-bp variation "hotspot" within the canid HV1 was identified as a potentially valuable molecular tool, particularly for assaying limited or degraded DNA samples.     

Forensic informativity of domestic dog mtDNA control region sequences

We have analysed the genetic information to be obtained from analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in domestic dogs studying the exclusion capacity in different populations and the correlation between mtDNA types and breeds or types of dogs. The exclusion capacities for a 573 bp sequence of the mitochondrial control region was between 0.86 and 0.95 for dogs in Sweden, the UK, Germany, Japan and China. The direct correlation between mtDNA type and breed, type of dog, and geographical origin of breed was generally low, but in some cases certain mtDNA types were overrepresented in one breed, and for wider groupings such as morphologically similar breeds, some mtDNA types were in many cases found in a distinct group of breeds, often originating from the same geographic region. This type of information may be used as an indication of the breed and, with some degree of probability, to include or exclude certain breeds from being the source of evidence materials.     

中国广东汉族群体mtDNA控制区的多态性

目的 探讨线粒体DNA控制区(包括HVⅠ区、HVⅡ区和HVⅢ区)的多态性。方法 采用PCR扩增和末端标记荧光循环测序的方法，对100名广东汉族无关个体进行了序列分析。结果 共观察到147个变异位点，序列变异包括了碱基转换、颠换、插入、缺失等各种类型。其中在HV Ⅰ区(nt16，024～nt16，365)内观察到88个变异位点，91种单倍型，基因多样度为0.9964；在HVⅡ区(nt73～nt340)观察到42个变异位点，67种单倍型，基因多样度为0.9861；在HVⅢ区(nt438～nt574)观察到9个变异位点，15种单倍型，基因多样度为0.8760。联合3个高变区域的序列，可观察到98种单倍型，基因多样度为0.9996。结论 本研究为线粒体DNA在法庭科学中的应用提供了较系统的实验依据。结果还表明，对于mtDNA等单倍型遗传标记，增加其检测范围，可提高该系统的个体识别能力，使其在法庭科学领域充分发挥作用。     

Mitochondrial DNA control region polymorphism in the population of Alagoas state, north-eastern Brazil

The sequences of the two hypervariable (HV) segments of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region were determined in 167 randomly selected, unrelated individuals living in the state of Alagoas, north-eastern Brazil. One hundred and forty-five different haplotypes, associated with 139 variable positions, were determined. More than 95% of the mtDNA sequences could be allocated to specific mtDNA haplogroups according to the mutational motifs. Length heteroplasmy in the C-stretch HV1 and HV2 regions was observed in 22 and 11%, respectively, of the population sample. The genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.9975 and the probability of two random individuals presenting identical mtDNA haplotypes was 0.0084. The most frequent haplotype was shared by six individuals. All sequences showed high-quality values and phantom mutations were not detected. The diversity revealed in the mitochondrial control region indicates the importance of this locus for forensic casework and population studies within Alagoas, Brazil.     

基于Ion Torrent PGM~(TM)测序系统的人mtDNA全测序分析

目的应用Ion Torrent PGM~(TM)测序系统对人线粒体DNA(mitochondria DNA,mtDNA)全序列进行分析检测,研究不同组织间mt DNA序列差异情况。方法通过法医尸体检验采集6名无关个体的组织样本,包括胸腔血液、头发、肋软骨、指甲、骨骼肌和口腔上皮。使用4对引物对线粒体全序列进行扩增,应用Ion Shear~(TM)Plus Reagents试剂盒和Ion Plus Fragment Library试剂盒等构建文库,并在Ion Torrent PGM~(TM)测序系统上进行线粒体基因组全序列测序,并针对异质性位点和在HVⅠ区域突变位点,进行Sanger测序验证。结果所有样本的全基因组mtDNA都扩增成功,6名无关个体分属于6种不同的单倍型,同一个体不同组织之间mtDNA存在异质性差异。异质性位点和HVⅠ区域突变位点采用Sanger测序结果均得到验证。通过Kappa统计方法进行一致性检验后发现,相同个体不同组织的mtDNA序列检验结果仍具有较好的一致性。结论本研究所采用的人线粒体基因组全序列的测序检验方法,可以检测出同一个体不同组织间mtDNA的异质性差异,该差异具有较高的一致性,该结果对mtDNA在法庭科学中的应用具有指导作用。     

Mitochondrial diversity of a northeast German population sample

Mitochondrial DNA sequences of the hypervariable regions HV I and HV II were analyzed in 300 unrelated individuals born and living in the northeast corner of Germany (Western Pomerania) to generate a database for forensic identification purposes in this region. Sequence polymorphism were detected using PCR and direct sequencing analysis. A total of 242 different haplotypes were found as determined by 147 variable positions. The most frequent haplotype (263G, 315.1C) was found in 10 individuals and is also the most common sequence in Europe. Three other haplotypes were shared by 5 individuals, 2 sequences by 4, 8 haplotypes by 3, 15 sequences by 2 persons, and 213 sequences were unique. The genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.99 and the probability of two random individuals showing identical mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes is 0.6%. A comparison with other studies from Germany showed only little differences in the distribution of haplogroups. Nevertheless, one frequent haplotype in northeast Germany (five unrelated individuals) could only rarely be found in other German and European regions. Our results may indicate that despite a high admixture proportion in the German population some regions could demonstrate certain characteristic features.     

中国汉族人群的线粒体DNA控制区多态性研究

探讨mtDNA多态性在法庭科学中个体识别的理论基础。应用PCR扩增产物直接测序方法 ,对 111名中国北方地区汉族人群无血缘关系个体的mtDNA控制区 (HVⅠ和HVⅡ )进行测序分析。在高变区Ⅰ 15 998～ 16 40 0之间发现 10 2处碱基变异 ,10 3个mtDNA单倍型 ;在高变区Ⅱ 0 0 0 35～ 0 0 36 9之间的发现 36处碱基变异 ,6 9个mtDNA单倍型。其可变碱基的变异形式主要为碱基替代 (转换和颠换 )、插入和缺失 ;碱基转换 (78 9% )明显高于颠换(14 3% )、插入 (3 4% ) ,缺失 (3 4% )。分析表明 ,人群个体mtDNA控制区碱基序列 ,基因多样性为 99 9% ,两个无关个体的偶合概率为 0 92 % ,具有高度序列的多态性     

Finnish mitochondrial DNA HVS-I and HVS-II population data

We have analyzed the two hypervariable regions HVS-I and HVS-II of 200 Finnish male individuals for forensic purposes. The distribution of the haplotypes within Finland was determined by the geographical knowledge of the donors' maternal ancestors. In our population sample, we identified 135 different mtDNA haplotypes. Different mtDNA sequences were further divided to haplogroups using the EMPOP software. The most common haplogroups were H (40.0%) and U (27.5%). Subgroup U5b, which contains earlier described "Saami motif", consisted majority (65.5%) of the sample in the U haplogroup. Analysis of the mtDNA sequence hypervariable regions I and II showed that the mtDNA diversity within the Finnish population sample was comparable to other European populations and uniformly distributed. This is contrary to the Y-STR "minimal haplotype" diversity, which in Finland is lower than in any of the other European populations studied so far.     

Evaluating the forensic informativeness of mtDNA haplogroup H sub-typing on a Eurasian scale

The impact of phylogeographic information on mtDNA forensics has been limited to the quality control of published sequences and databases. In this work we use the information already available on Eurasian mtDNA phylogeography to guide the choice of coding-region SNPs for haplogroup H. This sub-typing is particularly important in forensics since, even when sequencing both HVRI and HVRII, the discriminating power is low in some Eurasian populations. We show that a small set (eight) of coding-region SNPs resolves a substantial proportion of the identical haplotypes, as defined by control-region variation alone. Moreover, this SNP set, while substantially increasing the discriminating efficiency in most Eurasian populations by roughly equal amounts, discloses population-specific profiles.     

脱落毛发线粒体DNA HV1区序列测定的研究

目的　对脱落毛发线粒体DNAHV1区序列测定方法进行研究。方法　嵌合扩增结合末端荧光标记DNA测序。结果　对 2 0例脱落毛发进行分析获得了明确的测序结果 ,与来自同一个体的血液所测得的DNA序列进行比较 ,完全相同。结论　嵌合扩增在对脱落毛发进行线粒体DNA多变区序列分析中是一种有效的方法 ,在法医DNA检验中具有实用价值。     

Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy among hairs from single individuals

A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) assay was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence heteroplasmy in 160 hairs from each of three individuals. The HV1 and HV2 heteroplasmic positions were then identified by sequencing. In several hairs, the heteroplasmic position was not evident by sequencing and dHPLC separation of the homoduplex/heteroduplex species was carried out with subsequent reamplification and sequencing to identify the site. The overall detection frequency of sequence heteroplasmy in these hairs was 5.8% (28/480) with DGGE and 4.4% (21/280) with sequencing. Sequence heteroplasmy of hair was observed even when the reference blood sample of the individual was homoplasmic. The heteroplasmic positions were not necessarily observed at sites where high rates of substitution have been reported. In two hairs, a complete single base change from the reference blood sample was observed with sequencing, while the heteroplasmic condition at that site in the hair was observed using DGGE. The DGGE results in such samples would serve as an aid in considering the possibility of match significance. In a forensic case, this situation would lead to the possibility of a failure to exclude rather than to be inconclusive.     

A database of mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions I and II sequences of individuals from Slovakia

In order to identify polymorphic positions and to determine their frequencies and the frequency of haplotypes in the human mitochondrial control region, two hypervariable regions (HV1 and HV2) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 374 unrelated individuals from Slovakia were amplified and sequenced. Sequence comparison led to the identification of 284 mitochondrial lineages as defined by 163 variable sites. Genetic diversity (GD) was estimated at 0.997 and the probability of two randomly selected individuals from population having identical mtDNA types (random match probability, RMP) for the both regions is 0.60%.     

Forensic Informativity of ~3000 bp of Coding Sequence of Domestic Dog mtDNA

The discriminatory power of the noncoding control region (CR) of domestic dog mitochondrial DNA alone is relatively low. The extent to which the discriminatory power could be increased by analyzing additional highly variable coding regions of the mitochondrial genome (mtGenome) was therefore investigated. Genetic variability across the mtGenome was evaluated by phylogenetic analysis, and the three most variable ~1 kb coding regions identified. We then sampled 100 Swedish dogs to represent breeds in accordance with their frequency in the Swedish population. A previously published dataset of 59 dog mtGenomes collected in the United States was also analyzed. Inclusion of the three coding regions increased the exclusion capacity considerably for the Swedish sample, from 0.920 for the CR alone to 0.964 for all four regions. The number of mtDNA types among all 159 dogs increased from 41 to 72, the four most frequent CR haplotypes being resolved into 22 different haplotypes.     

Comparative Analysis of the HV1 and HV2 Regions of Human Mitochondrial DNA by Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract:  Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) was evaluated as a sequencing-independent means of detecting the presence of sequence differences in pair-wise mixtures of nonconcordant amplicons of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A total of 920 pair-wise combinations of HV1 and HV2 mtDNA amplicons from 95 individuals were assayed by DHPLC for sequence concordance/nonconcordance. For the 72 combinations of amplicons from different individuals who shared identical DNA sequences, DHPLC assays consistently indicated sequence concordance between the samples. This was in 100% agreement with sequencing data. For the 849 combinations of amplicons which differed in sequence, DHPLC detected the presence of sequence nonconcordance in all but 13 assays to yield 98.5% concordance with sequencing. Thus, DHPLC can be used to detect a diversity of sequence differences (transitions, transversions, insertions, and deletions) in the mtDNA D-loop. Accordingly, DHPLC may have utility as a presumptive indicator of mtDNA sequence concordance samples, as a screen for heteroplasmy/situational mixtures, and as a means for the physical fractionation of the individual contributors to an mtDNA mixture prior to sequencing.     

用PCR-DGGE技术检测人外周血mtDNA HVⅠ单倍型及异质性

目的建立简单、有效的m tDNA单倍型检测及异质性筛查技术,并获取其相应的汉族人群频率分布。方法用PCR-DGGE技术对200例武汉汉族无关个体外周血m tDNA HVⅠ15997~16174nt和16208~16401nt区域进行分型检测。结果200例汉族无关个体中,15997~16174nt和16208~16401nt区域分别检出20种和22种单倍型,其单倍型多样性(HD值)分别为0.8159和0.8844;m tDNA HVⅠ组合单倍型共90种,其HD值达0.9803。两区域分别有4名和2名个体观察到异质性,其发生率为3%。结论PCR-DGGE是一种简单、灵敏、高效的m tDNA多态性及异质性检测技术,可应用于法医学实践。     

中国朝鲜族线粒体DNA编码区序列多态性

目的调查中国朝鲜族群体线粒体DNA（mtDNA）编码区内5个部位 3954～4506nt、5218～5974nt、7942～871Int、10296～10653nt 及14496～14867nt的序列多态性。方法采用PCR产物直接测序方法,对212名中国朝鲜族（吉林省延边地区）无关个体进行序列多态性变化和单倍型分布调查。结果在212名无关个体中,共分出148种单倍型。遗传变异度为0．9931,耦合概率为0．0116。测序结果与Anderson标准序列比较,共检测出109个变异位点,其中79个已收录于MITOMAP。结论mtDNA编码区多态性联合应用可以提高mtDNA的个体识别能力。町为相关遗传学研究提供基础数据资料。     

The EDNAP mitochondrial DNA population database (EMPOP) collaborative exercises: organisation, results and perspectives

This paper presents an overview of the organisation and the results of the collaborative exercises (CE) of the European DNA Profiling (EDNAP) Group's mitochondrial DNA population database project (EMPOP). The aim of the collaborative exercises was to determine whether uniformity of mtDNA sequencing results could be achieved among different laboratories. These were asked to sequence either the complete mtDNA control region or the two hypervariable regions HVI (16024-16365) and HVII (73-340) from DNA extracts, buccal swabs or bloodstains, proceeding in accordance with the protocol and strategies used in each individual laboratory. The results of the collaborative exercises were employed to identify possible sources of errors that could arise during the analysis and interpretation of mtDNA profiles. These findings were taken as a basis to tentatively make suitable arrangements for the construction of a high quality mtDNA database. One hundred fifty mtDNA profiles were submitted to the evaluating laboratory, and disaccording profiles were classified into four groups corresponding to the source of error: clerical errors, sample mix-ups, contaminations and discrepancies with respect to the mtDNA nomenclature. Overall, 14 disaccording haplotypes (16 individual errors) were observed. The errors included 10 clerical errors, 3 interpretation problems, 2 cases of sample mix-up and 1 case of point heteroplasmic mixture, where the 2 sequencing reactions brought inconsistent base calls. This corresponds to an error rate of 10.7% in a virtual mtDNA database consisting of the collaborative exercise results. However, this estimate is still conservative compared to conclusions drawn by authors of meanwhile numerous publications critically reviewing published mtDNA population databases. Our results and earlier published concerns strongly emphasize the need for appropriate safety regulations when mtDNA profiles are compiled for database purposes in order to accomplish the high standard required for mtDNA databases that are used in the forensic context.     

Mitochondrial Genome DNA Analysis of the Domestic Dog: Identifying Informative SNPs Outside of the Control Region*

Abstract: While the mitochondrial control region has proven successful for human forensic evaluations by indicating ethnic origin, domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) of seemingly unrelated breeds often form large groups based on identical control region sequences. In an attempt to break up these large haplotype groups, we have analyzed the remaining c. 15,484 base pairs of the canine mitochondrial genome for 79 dogs and used phylogenetic and population genetic methods to search for additional variability in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We have identified 356 SNPs and 65 haplotypes in the remainder of the mitochondrial genome excluding the control region. The exclusion capacity was found to be 0.018. The mitochondrial control region was also evaluated for the same 79 dogs. The signals from the different fragments do not conflict, but instead support one another and provide a larger fragment of DNA that can be analyzed as forensic evidence.