Estimation of Allele and Haplotype Frequencies for 23 YSTR Markers in the Lebanese Population

Abstract

Y-STR analysis may in certain cases complement the autosomal STR markers in forensic, investigations, kinship testing and human identification. Hence, it would be informative to assess the probability of occurrence of the Y-STR haplotype in the Lebanese population where. This study aimed at estimating the Lebanese Y-STR allele and haplotype frequencies in 502 non-related males using the Y-filer Kit (Applied Biosystems) which includes the nine minimal Y-STR haplotype: DYS19, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS389I/II, DYS385a/b plus 14 other Y-STR loci: DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS456, DYS456, DYS448, Y-GATA-H4, DYS576, DYS570, DYS549, DYS643, DYS533 and DYS481. All 23 Y-STR loci were highly polymorphic with the marker DYS385a/b being the most polymorphic. 489 different haplotypes were defined where 476 (94.8%) carried a unique haplotype and the most common haplotypes appeared twice. This database has a discrimination capacity of 97.4% and a haplotype diversity of 0.9999%. The obtained data serves as an essential pre-requisite for using Y-chromosomal STR in routine forensic practice in the Lebanese population where the endogamy rate average is 88%.