Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphism loci susceptible to degradation by ultraviolet light

DNA in biological fluids is often degraded by environmental factors. Given that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses require shorter amplicons than short tandem repeat (STR) analyses do, their use in human identification using degraded samples has recently attracted attention. Although various SNP loci are used to analyze degraded samples, it is unclear which ones are more appropriate. To characterize and identify SNP loci that are susceptible or resistant to degradation, we artificially degraded DNA, obtained from buccal swabs from 11 volunteers, by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light for different durations (254 nm for 5, 15, 30, 60, or 120 min) and analyzed the resulting SNP loci. DNA degradation was assessed using gel electrophoresis, STR, and SNP profiling. DNA fragmentation occurred within 5 min of UV irradiation, and successful STR and SNP profiling decreased with increasing duration. However, 73% of SNP loci were still detected correctly in DNA samples irradiated for 120 min, a dose that rendered STR loci undetectable. The unsuccessful SNP typing and the base call failure of nucleotides neighboring the SNPs were traced to rs1031825, and we found that this SNP was susceptible to UV light. When comparing the detection efficiencies of STR and SNP loci, SNP typing was more successful than STR typing, making it effective when using degraded DNA. However, it is important to use rs1031825 with caution when interpreting SNP analyses of degraded DNA.     

The art of traditional native PAGE: The APLP 48-ID assay for human identification

When full STR profiles cannot be obtained, further DNA analyses targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may occasionally yield valuable information. Although the discrimination power of each SNP is relatively low, combined analysis of many SNPs can improve the personal identification ability to a level as high as that of commercial STR typing kits. In this study, we developed a new SNP typing method, named the amplified-product length polymorphism (APLP) 48-ID assay, for genotyping of 47 autosomal SNPs and two X and Y chromosomal markers for sex typing. Forty-seven SNPs were selected from all 22 autosomes, showing high diversity in European, Nigerian, Han Chinese, and Japanese population in the HapMap data. PCR primers were designed to generate amplicons 40–100 bp in length to increase the robustness of the PCR.The APLP 48-ID assay consisted of four independent PCR reactions followed by electrophoretic run on four lanes in a polyacrylamide gel. Complete profiles were obtained when more than 1.2 ng of DNA was used. We applied this assay for genotyping of 236 Japanese individuals. The random matching probability was 3.3E-20, and the power of exclusion was greater than 0.9999999. This method is a rapid, robust, and cost-effective approach for human identification and paternity testing.     

Multiple recurrent mutations at four human Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphism sites in a 37 bp sequence tract on the ARSDP1 pseudogene

The male-specific region of the human Y chromosome (MSY) is passed down clonally from father to son and mutation is the single driving force for Y-chromosomal diversification. The geographical distribution of MSY variation is non-random. Therefore, Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs) are of forensic interest, as they can be utilized, e.g. for deducing the bio-geographical origin of biological evidence. This extra information can complement short tandem repeat data in criminal investigations. For forensic applications, however, any targeted marker has to be unequivocally interpretable.Here, we report findings for 17 samples from a population study comprising specimens from ∼3700 men living in Tyrol (Austria), indicating apparent homoplasic mutations at four Y-SNP loci on haplogroup R-M412/L51/S167, R-U152/S28, and L-M20 Y chromosomes. The affected Y-SNPs P41, P37, L202, and L203 mapped to a 37 bp region on Yq11.21. Observing in multiple phylogenetic contexts up to four homoplasic mutations within such a short sequence tract is unlikely to result from a series of independent parallel mutations. Hence, we rather propose X-to-Y gene conversion as a more likely scenario.Practical implications arising from markers exhibiting paralogues on the Y chromosome or sites with a high propensity to recurrent mutation for database searches are addressed.     

Y-SNP miniplexes for East Asian Y-chromosomal haplogroup determination in degraded DNA

Four multiplex PCR systems followed by single base extension reactions were developed to score 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and identify the most frequent East Asian Y chromosome haplogroups. Select Y chromosome SNPs allowed hierarchical testing for almost all of the major East Asian haplogroups along the revised Y chromosome tree. The first multiplex consists of six SNPs defining world-wide major haplogroups (M145, RPS4Y₇₁₁, M89, M9, M214, and M175). The second multiplex includes six SNPs of subhaplogroup O (M119, P31, M95, SRY₄₆₅, 47z, and M122). The third multiplex contains six SNPs that subdivide the subhaplogroup O3 (M324, P201, M159, M7, M134, and M133). The fourth multiplex comprises four SNPs of subhaplogroup C (M217, M48, M407, and P53.1). The sizes of the PCR amplicons ranged from 70 to 100 bp to facilitate their application to degraded forensic and ancient samples. Validation experiments demonstrated that the multiplexes were optimized for analysis of low template DNA and highly degraded DNA. In a test using DNA samples from 300 Korean males, 16 different Y chromosome haplogroups were identified; haplogroup O2b* was the most frequently observed (29.3%), followed by haplogroups C3 (xC3c, C3d, C3e) (16.0%) and O3a3c1 (11.0%). These multiplex sets will be useful tools for Y-chromosomal haplogroup determination in anthropological and forensic studies of East Asian populations.     

Correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms and jejunal crypt cell apoptosis after whole body irradiation

PURPOSE: To identify loci concerned with radiosensitivity in a mouse model using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We subjected 276 second filial generation (F2) mice descended from two inbred mouse strains, radiation-induced apoptosis sensitive C57BL/6JNrs (B6) and radiation-induced apoptosis resistant C3H/HeNrs (C3H), to 2.5 Gy whole-body irradiation. We quantified jejunal crypt apoptosis, performed a genome-wide survey, and identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with radiation sensitivity. We expressed apoptosis levels as an apoptotic score (AS), which was equal to the number of apoptotic bodies divided by the number of crypts. We genotyped the mice for 109 SNP markers. RESULTS: AS values were 97.7+/-32.9 in B6 mice and 49.0+/-24.9 in C3H mice (p < 0.01). Genome-wide analysis revealed 8 markers (2 on chromosome 9, 4 on 15, 1 on 17, and 1 on 18) affecting radiation-induced jejunal apoptosis with log odds (LOD) scores ranging from 2.11+/-3.91. We found a significant locus on chromosome 15, which was previously reported by Weil and colleagues. CONCLUSION: These findings support the view that the radiosensitivity of clinically normal tissue depends on variations in several genes.     

An assessment of the utility of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for forensic purposes

This paper assesses the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for forensic analysis. It demonstrates that relatively small arrays of approx. 50 loci are comparable to existing short tandem repeat (STR) multiplexes. A quantitative test, however, is a prerequisite for mixture interpretation. In addition, as the mixture proportion becomes low, it will be necessary to distinguish between the allele and background. Relatively small biallelic arrays are also suitable to distinguish between closely related individuals such as brothers. Received: 11 May 1999 / Accepted: 27 September 1999     

基于Luminex悬浮芯片的鼠疫耶尔森菌SNP分型方法研究

目的利用Luminex悬浮芯片技术,基于单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）建立我国鼠疫耶尔森菌东方型菌株（以下简称东方型鼠疫菌）的基因分型方法,为进一步研究东方型鼠疫菌多态性并分析其系统发育关系奠定基础。方法利用多重PCR,同时扩增东方型鼠疫菌中18个具有分型意义的SNP位点,扩增产物进行多重等位基因特异性引物延伸（allele specific primer extension,ASPE）反应以及Luminex悬浮芯片技术分析,随后利用MasterPlex GT V2.3软件计算平均荧光强度（median fluorescence intensity,MFI）比值,判断各SNP位点的碱基状态;并对SNP分型方法的重现性进行评价。结果 Luminex多重SNP技术能够快速、高通量地检测出各SNP位点的MFI值,从而在8 h内一次性成功确定东方型鼠疫菌中18个SNP的碱基状态;36株东方型鼠疫菌基于18个SNP可以分为7个基因型。结论本文建立的Luminex多重SNP检测方法作为一种高通量检测SNP的技术平台,为后期的东方型鼠疫菌SNP分型及系统发育分析奠定了基础。     

Multiplex PCR,amplicon size and hybridization efficiency on the NanoChip electronic microarray

We tested the SNP typing protocol developed for the NanoChip electronic microarray by analyzing the four Y chromosome loci SRY1532, SRY8299, TAT, and 92R7. Amplicons of different lengths containing the same locus were purified and addressed to the NanoChip array and fluorescently labelled reporter probes were hybridized to the amplicons. We demonstrated that as little as 10–30 fmol of 50 bp DNA amplicons was sufficient to obtain strong and reproducible results. The hybridization to 50 bp amplicons was up to 10 times more efficient than the hybridization to 200 bp amplicons containing the same SNP. Hybridization to individual amplicons in multiplexes was less efficient suggesting that intramolecular and intermolecular interactions may block access to the target sequence on the NanoChip array. We observed a high risk of contamination with amplicons shorter than 60 bp and therefore, we recommend the use of 60–200 bp amplicons for SNP typing analysis on the NanoChip platform. In a comparative study, we typed the 5 Y chromosome loci M173, 92R7, P25, SRY1532, and M9 in 400 males using the NanoChip SNP typing protocol and the SNaPshot kit. Concording results were obtained for all samples demonstrating the accuracy of the NanoChip SNP typing protocol.     

Screening for single nucleotide polymorphisms in highly degraded DNA by using the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is generally used for human identification of forensic samples; however, standard STR analysis sometimes fails to generate full profiles since DNA is frequently degraded by various environmental factors. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis has attracted attention for human identification since the shorter amplicons are better suited for degraded samples. Though various SNP loci are used for analysis of degraded samples, it is unclear which ones are more appropriate. To identify SNPs that were resistant to degradation, we artificially degraded DNA obtained from the buccal swabs of six volunteers and the K562 cell line by heat treatment. Subsequently, the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was used for SNP screening. We focused on the AFLP bands detected in both the heat-treated and untreated samples, and DNA extracted from these bands was directly sequenced. DNA degradation increased as the duration of heat treatment increased, and no STR profiles could be generated after 6 h of heat treatment. When the AFLP band patterns were compared between 6 h heat-treated and untreated samples, eight common bands were detected. The sequences of the DNA fragments of these common bands had higher adenine-thymine (A-T) content and included 17 SNPs. The SNPs detected in the heat-treated and untreated samples were considered to be resistant to degradation. Although there was a little information available in databases regarding the nine SNPs identified in this study, this study shows that some of these SNPs might be useful for human identification of extremely degraded DNA.     

Exploring of new Y-chromosome SNP loci using Pyrosequencing and the SNaPshot methods

The single nucleotide polymorphisms on the Y chromosome (Y-SNP) have been considered to be important in forensic casework. However, Y-SNP loci were mostly population specific and lacked biallelic polymorphisms in the Asian population. In this study, we developed a strategy for seeking and genotyping new Y-SNP markers based on both Pyrosequencing and the SNaPshot methods. As results, 34 new biallelic markers were observed to be polymorphic in the Chinese Han population by estimation of allele frequencies of 103 candidate’s Y-SNP loci in DNA pools using Pyrosequencing technology. Then, a multiplex system with 20 Y-SNP loci was genotyped using the SNaPshot? multiplex kit. Twenty Y-SNP loci defined 56 different haplotypes, and the haplotype diversity was estimated to be 0.9539. Our result demonstrated that the strategy could be used as an efficient tool to search and genotype biallelic markers from a large amount of candidate loci. In addition, 20 Y-SNP loci constructed a multiplex system, which could provide supplementary information for forensic identification.     

Forensic efficiency of microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms on the X chromosome

Polymorphisms located on the X chromosome are being increasingly used in forensic studies. However, they have not been studied as extensively as the autosomal and Y-linked polymorphisms. Therefore, we planned to study the population genetics of two sets of X-linked markers, including short-tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and particularly analyze the differences at the microgeographical level. Six X-linked STRs (DXS 9895, DXS 7132, DXS 9898, DXS 6789, GATA 172D05, and DXS 7130) and ten SNPs (rs1229078, rs1544545, rs4442270, rs1874111, rs5968332, rs1166756, rs12849634, rs5932595, rs203648, and rs611711) were studied in two population samples from Cantabria, northern Spain, a mixed coastal population and a relatively isolated small population in the Pas valley. There were statistically significant differences in allelic frequencies of the six STRs studied between both populations. On the other hand, only one out of ten SNPs studied showed between-population differences. Overall Fst values were 0.4–2.9% and 1.8–2.2% for the STRs and the SNPs, respectively. The overall power of discrimination for female samples was higher than 99.99% for both groups of markers. Therefore, these sets of X-linked STRs and SNPs seem to be potentially useful in forensic genetics, but care should be taken when interpreting results from cases that originate from small and relatively isolated populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Demand for larger Y-STR reference databases in ethnic melting-pot countries: Argentina as a test case

The Y chromosome behaves as a single locus. Its genetic information is useful in forensic casework, deficiency kinship testing, and population genetics studies. Continuous increases of loci number within commercial kits forced modification of worldwide reference databases. In Pan American countries, like Argentina, diverse parental ethnic groups contributed to the extant admixed urban populations. We report 509 additional haplotypes of 23 Y-STRs from donors inhabiting urban areas of six Argentinean provinces: Buenos Aires, Santiago del Estero, Santa Cruz, Rio Negro, Santa Fe, and Formosa. To better understand the demographic landscape of the admixed urban paternal lineages, structural analysis was performed using published data from other Argentinean provinces. AMOVA by Rst distance and inferred haplogroups by two predictive online software methods based on haplotypes yielded complementary results with respect to detected population structure, probably due to the different proportions of the Native American Q3-M3 haplogroup in the studied samples. This situation, which is common to most North, Meso, and South American countries, underscores the need for the additional step of typing specific SNPs for haplogroup diagnosis. We propose organizing Y-STR haplotype reference databases according to the most frequent haplogroups detected in a given admixed population.

     

Evaluation of the 124-plex SNP typing microarray for forensic testing

Human identification systems such as criminal databases, forensic DNA testing and genetic genealogy require reliable and cost-effective genotyping of autosomal, mitochondrial and Y chromosome markers from different biological materials, including venous blood and saliva. Although many such assays are available, few systems are capable of simultaneously detecting all three targets in a single reaction. Employing the APEX-2 principle, we have characterized a novel 124-plex assay, using specific primer extension, universal primer amplification and single base extension on an oligonucleotide array. The assay has been designed for simultaneous genotyping of SNPs from the single copy loci (46 autosomal and 29 Y chromosomal markers) side by side with SNPs from the mitochondrial genome (49 markers) that appears in up to thousands of copies per cell in certain tissue types. All the autosomal SNPs (from the SNPforID Consortium) included in the multiplex assay are unlinked and are distributed widely across autosomes, enabling genetic fingerprints to be distinguished. Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome polymorphisms that define haplogroups common in European populations are included to allow for maternity and paternity testing and for the analysis of genetic genealogies. After assay optimization we estimated the accuracy (99.83%) and call rate (99.66%) of the protocol on 17 mother–father–child/children families and five internal control DNAs. In addition, 79 unrelated Estonian and Swedish DNA samples were genotyped and the accuracy of mtDNA and Y chromosome haplogroup inference by the multiplex method was assessed using conventional genotyping methods and direct sequencing.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism typing with massively parallel sequencing for human identification

The Ion AmpliSeq? HID single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, a primer pool of 103 autosomal SNPs and 33 Y-SNPs, was evaluated using the Ion 314? Chip on the Ion PGM? Sequencer with four DNA samples. The study focused on the sequencing of DNA at three different initial target quantities, related interpretation issues, and concordance of results with another sequencing platform, i.e., Genome Analyzer IIx. With 10 ng of template DNA, all genotypes at the 136 SNPs were detected. With 1 ng of DNA, all SNPs were detected and one SNP locus in one sample showed extreme heterozygote imbalance on allele coverage. With 100 pg of DNA, an average of 1.6 SNP loci were not detected, and an average of 4.3 SNPs showed heterozygote imbalance. The average sequence coverage was 945–600× at autosomal SNPs and 465–209× at Y-SNPs for 10 ng–100 pg of DNA. The average heterozygote allele coverage ratio was 89.6–61.8 % for 10 ng–100 pg of DNA. At 10 ng of DNA, all genotypes of the 95 SNPs shared between the two different sequencing platforms were concordant except for one SNP, rs1029047. The error was due to the misalignment of a flanking homopolymer. Overall, the data support that genotyping a large battery of SNPs is feasible with massively parallel sequencing. With barcode systems, better allele balance, and specifically designed alignment software, a more comprehensive rapid genotyping and more cost-effective results may be obtained from multiple samples in one analysis than are possible with current typing and capillary electrophoresis systems.     

Analysis of Y chromosome haplogroups in Japanese population using short amplicons and its application in forensic analysis

We designed three mini multiplex PCR systems using single-base extension reactions to identify Japanese Y chromosome haplogroups. We selected a group of 22 Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the haplogroups most commonly reported in East Asia. To make the systems more useful in analyzing degraded DNA samples, we designed primers to render amplicons of ⩽150 bp. Applying these systems, we classified the Japanese population into major haplogroups and confirmed the applicability of these systems in forensic DNA analysis.     

Validation of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing assay with 49 SNPs for forensic genetic testing in a laboratory accredited according to the ISO 17025 standard

A multiplex assay with 49 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) developed for human identification was validated for forensic genetic casework and accredited according to the ISO 17025 standard. The multiplex assay was based on the SNPforID 52plex SNP assay [J.J. Sanchez, C. Phillips, C. Børsting, K. Balogh, M. Bogus, M. Fondevila, C.D. Harrison, E. Musgrave-Brown, A. Salas, D. Syndercombe-Court, P.M. Schneider, A. Carracedo, N. Morling, A multiplex assay with 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms for human identification, Electrophoresis 27 (2006) 1713–1724], where 52 fragments were amplified in one PCR reaction. The SNPs were analysed by single base extension (SBE) and capillary electrophoresis. Twenty-three of the original SBE primers were altered to improve the overall robustness of the assay and to simplify the analysis of the SBE results. A total of 216 samples from 50 paternity cases and 33 twin cases were typed at least twice for the 49 SNPs. All electropherograms were analysed independently by two expert analysts prior to approval. Based on these results, detailed guidelines for analysis of the SBE products were developed. With these guidelines, the peak height ratio of a heterozygous allele call or the signal to noise ratio of a homozygous allele call is compared with previously obtained ratios. A laboratory protocol for analysis of SBE products was developed where allele calls with unusual ratios were highlighted to facilitate the analysis of difficult allele calls. The guidelines for allele calling proved to be highly efficient for the detection of DNA mixtures and contaminated DNA preparations. DNA from two individuals was mixed in seven different ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:10; all mixtures were easily identified as mixtures.     

Spanish population data and forensic usefulness of a novel Y-STR set (DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS460, DYS461, GATA A10, GATA C4, GATA H4)

DNA typing of 8 recently described STRs on the Y chromosome was carried out by means of 2 multiplex amplification reactions for 134 unrelated males from Cantabria, a region in northern Spain. Multiplex 1 included loci DYS460 (GATA A7.1), GATA A10, GATA H4 and DYS439; multiplex 2 included DYS461 (GATA A7.2), GATA C4, DYS437 and DYS438. Haplotype diversity was found to be 99.36%, similar to that obtained with the standard 9-STR set ("minimal haplotype") of the European Y-user group (99.35%). The 13-locus haplotype resulting from the combination of the standard minimal haplotype and the 4-locus multiplex 1 showed a 99.89% diversity. Further inclusion of the 4 loci in multiplex 2 resulted in a haplotype diversity of 99.93%. The combination of the "minimal haplotype" and the multiplex 1 in the present study may be an efficient way of increasing the power of discrimination in forensic cases.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human complement C6 and C7 genes

We analyzed the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the sixth (C6) and the seventh (C7) component genes of the complement system in a sample of the Japanese population, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods and PCR direct sequencing. SNPs in the C6 gene studied here are as follows: A413C in exon 3, T1674C in exon 10, T7145A in exon 13, G[357+32]A in intron 2, and G[503-78]A in intron 3. We confirmed that nt413A and nt413C were associated with C6A and C6B, respectively. The result of the nt2145 typing showed that two subtypes exist in the C6B allotype. The SNP of G[357+32]A in intron 2 could be analyzed by using the PCR-RFLP method with HinfI. Allele frequencies in the Japanese population were found to be *G=0.920 and *A=0.080. SNPs in the C7 gene are as follows: T382C in exon 4, G1166C and A1258C in exon 9, and G[+10]A in intron 13. Nt382C and nt1258C would be responsible for C7-5 (=C7-3) and C7-4 allotypes, respectively.     

Comparative analysis of short tandem repeats and single nucleotide polymorphisms on the Y-chromosome in Germans,Chinese and Thais

We have typed genomic DNA samples from 95 individuals from Western Germany, 78 individuals from Bangkok/Thailand and 56 individuals from Chengdu/China for 11 Y-chromosomal diallelic polymorphisms and eight short tandem repeat (STR) systems. For single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, a rapid method was applied using the single base extension technology (minisequencing) in combination with capillary electrophoresis. PCR products for SRY-8299, Tat, SRY2627, 92R7, SRY1532, M9, M13, M17/M19 and M20 were pooled and used as templates for the commercially available SNaPshot kit. In addition to these ten SNPs we also tested the Y-chromosomal diallelic Alu repeat insertion DYS287 (YAP) by agarose gel electrophoresis as well as the Y-chromosomal STR systems DYS19, DYS389I+II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393 and DYS385 by fluorescent multiplex fragment analysis. Among the 11 diallelic SNP/Alu systems, only six were found to be polymorphic in the three population samples. From these a total number of seven different haplogroups could be identified in the three populations. Of these, five haplogroups were present in Germans, five in Thais, and only two in Chinese. These haplogroup trees clearly represent population-specific structures. Haplogroup 26 is represented at a high frequency in the Thai and Chinese populations whereas it is absent in Germans. The Y-STR data confirm a haplogroup-specific distribution of Y-STR haplotypes. Only a few cases of identical STR haplotypes in the same SNP haplogroups were detected in each of the three populations studied.     

Detection of single nucleotide polymorphism in the FUT2 gene by temperature gradient gel electrophoresis

A simple and rapid analysis system for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was investigated for the FUT2 gene using the temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) method. The 426-bp or 259-bp FUT2 fragments were amplified from heterozygous samples using primers, and the heteroduplex and homoduplex bands were detected by TGGE. The FUT2 fragments amplified from homozygous samples were denatured and re-annealed with a known sequence fragment, forming heteroduplex bands which were analyzed by TGGE. The fragment patterns of homoduplex and heteroduplex bands in TGGE were specific to the genotypes, and more specifically, the number of heteroduplex bands and the migration of the homoduplex bands corresponded to the number of nucleotide substitutions and the change in GC content due to the substitutions, respectively. Thus, the TGGE technique can act as a high-throughput method for the detection and the presumption of sequences of known and unknown SNPs in the FUT2 gene.