Short Communication Y-STR haplotype diversity and population data for Central Brazil: implications for environmental forensics and paternity testing

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The central region of Brazil was colonized by internal migration of individuals of different origins, who contributed to the genetic diversity existing in this population. This study determined the allele frequencies and haplotype diversity of Y-STRs in Goiás State, Central Brazil, and compared the data obtained with a sample of the Brazilian population, consisting of individuals from the five geographical regions of Brazil. A total of 353 males were typed for Y-STR haplotype diversity in Central Brazil 12 Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) markers. We selected males who had no degree of relatedness, from the five mesoregions of Goiás State. DNA was extracted from blood samples followed by the amplification of the 12 Y-chromosome loci. The products were analyzed to obtain the allele profiles on an ABI3500 automated sequencer using the Gene Mapper software. Allele frequencies and haplotype diversity were estimated by direct counting, and gene diversity for each locus was computed using the Arlequin software. The results are consistent with the history of miscegenation of the population of Central Brazil, in which we observed 321 different haplotypes. The average gene diversity at the 12 loci was 0.645. DYS385b and DYS389I showed the highest (0.704) and lowest (0.520) genetic diversity values, respectively. The F ST value between the Brazilian and Goiás populations was 0.00951, showing no statistical significance. The results of this study allowed the establishment of haplotypes found in the forensic samples of Goiás State serving as a reference in the elucidation of criminal cases and paternity tests, as well as population and evolutionary inferences.

Mutation rates in 21 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in a population from Goiás, Brazil

“…Although several researchers have estimated the rates of mutations in STRs in various populations, in Central Brazil, these types of studies are important despite peculiar genetic characteristics in the population of this region . The central region of Brazil has a mixed population owing to the historical process of colonization that contributed to the existence of high genetic diversity due to the contribution of different ethnic groups, such as Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians .…”

Forensic Genetics and Genotyping

“…As Y chromosome is passed to the son from his father, analysis of markers on this chromosome helps in the identification of male lineages and inferring paternal genetic ancestry for judicial and investigative purposes (25,(49)(50)(51). Whereas these markers are transmitted as haplotypes in the same way as single locus alleles, they have the lack of recombination.…”