Haplotype data and forensic evaluation of 23 Y-STR and 12 X-STR loci in eight ethnic groups from Eritrea

Abstract

Eritrea is a multi-ethnic country of over 3 million of people consisting of different ethnic groups, having each its own language and cultural tradition. Due to the lack of population genetic data for markers of forensic interest, in this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of 23 Y-chromosome STR loci and of 12 X-chromosome STR loci in a sample of 255 unrelated individuals from 8 Eritrean ethnic groups, with the aim to generate a reference haplotype database for anthropological and forensic applications. X- and Y-chromosomes markers may indeed offer information especially in personal identification and kinship testing, when relying on the availability of large local population data to derive sufficiently accurate frequency estimates. The population genetic analyses in the Eritrean sample for both the two set of Y- and X-STR markers showed high power of discrimination both at country-based and population levels. Comparison population results highlight the importance of considering the ethnic composition within the analyzed country and the necessity of increasing available data especially when referring to heterogeneous populations such as the African ones.

Y-23 mediated genetic data analysis of endogamous Brahmin population of Rajasthan, India

“…The amplification of complete set of 23 Y-STRs was done with the help of PowerPlex®Y23 multiplex kit (Promega, USA) as per manufacturer's instructions [11] . The amplified products were size-fractionated using ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer with the help of POP-4 polymer and the alleles were assigned by GeneMapper ID v3.2 software (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) [12] . WEN ILS 500 was used as an internal lane standard.…”

Applications of X-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats for Human Identification: A Review

“…[135]), Mozambique [154], Nigeria [158], Somalia (e.g. [134]), Tunisia [159], Uganda (e.g [154]), Ethiopia [22] and Eritrea [160]. It is noticeable that the African populations being genotyped by researchers (e.g.…”

Forensic Applications of Markers Present on the X Chromosome

“…The Investigator Argus X-12 kit was also used in this study, and 914 complete haplotypes were obtained for the markers included in the kit. Knowing the uniqueness provided by the X-STR markers, several research groups conducted studies to assess the population distribution of countries such as Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, India, Croatia, and countries on the African continent, among others [ 9 , 15 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Table 1 lists some population studies that explore X-STR markers, published in the last ten years.…”

“…DXS10146 and DXS10135 markers presented 38 alleles, revealing the most polymorphic alleles. The most informative locus among the population studies mentioned is DXS10135, shown in 11 different studies [ 9 , 15 , 35 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 49 ]. This is due to the high PIC (polymorphism information content) value of this locus in the different populations [ 51 ].…”

“…It is important to underline the significance of larger databases to enhance the estimation of haplotype frequencies, more software packages for kinship evaluations of ChrX transmission [ 2 ], and new, tested, and optimized X-STRs markers for kinship analysis. To support further development of X-STRs, the studies conducted presented the discovery of novel X-STRs markers and multiplex systems which are highly promising for forensic use [ 49 , 66 , 77 , 78 ] and the extension of local haplotype data through studies of the viability and discriminatory power of X-STRs [ 9 , 40 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. Despite more than 20 years of usage and X-STR research in forensic genetics, there is still a continuous demand for high-quality genetic data to support new studies and expand the application of these gonosomal markers.…”