Genetic diversity, forensic feature, and phylogenetic analysis of Guizhou Tujia population via 19 X-STRs

Abstract

Background: X-chromosome short tandem repeats (X-STRs) with unique sex-linkage inheritance models play a complementary role in forensic science. Guizhou is a multiethnic province located in southwest China and some genetic evidence focusing on X-STRs for various minorities was reported. However, population data of Guizhou Tujia are scarce. Methods: A total of 507 Guizhou Tujia individuals were profiled using the AGCU X-19 STR kit. Allele frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated. Additionally, population genetic relationships between Guizhou Tujia and other 19 populations were explored. Results: A total of 257 alleles with the allele frequencies ranged from 0.0013 to 0.6098 were found. The combined power of discrimination in males and females and mean exclusion chances in all case scenarios were all greater than 0.99999. Population comparisons showed Guizhou Tujia had a homogeneity with all Han populations from different administrative regions, and other ethnic populations residing in Guizhou, while had obviously genetic heterogeneity with the Altaic family populations except Xibe. Conclusion: Nineteen X-STRs can afford a reliable and informative database of Guizhou Tujia population for human identification and paternity testing, especially in complex biological relations. The genetic relationships of Chinese are significantly influenced by the geographic position and ethnolinguistic origin.