title: Development and validation of a multiplex reaction analyzing eight miniSTRs of the X chromosome for identity and kinship testing with degraded DNA.
abstract: We report the development of an effective system for analyzing X chromosome-linked mini short tandem repeat loci with reduced-size amplicons (less than 220 bp), useful for analyzing highly degraded DNA samples. To generate smaller amplicons, we redesigned primers for eight X-linked microsatellites (DXS7132, DXS10079, DXS10074, DXS10075, DXS6801, DXS6809, DXS6789, and DXS6799) and established efficient conditions for a multiplex PCR system (miniX). The validation tests confirmed that it has good sensitivity, requiring as little as 20 pg of DNA, and performs well with DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues, thus showing potential for improved analysis and identification of highly degraded and/or very limited DNA samples. Consequently, this system may help to solve complex forensic cases, particularly when autosomal markers convey insufficient information.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Cantabria, Av Herrera Oria s/n, Santander, 39011, Cantabria, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castañeda
authors.forename: Adrián
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odriozola
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: María T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Zarrabeitia
mesh_terms: D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D053836:DNA Degradation, Necrotic; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006239:Haplotypes; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA