Allele frequencies of 15 STR loci in Bosnian and Herzegovinian population

Abstract

Aim To determine newest the most accurate allele frequencies for 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population, calculate statistical parameters, and compare them with the relevant data for seven neighboring populations. Methods Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swabs of 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genotyping was performed using PowerPlex® 16 System to obtain allele frequencies for 15 polymorphic STR loci including D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, and FGA. The calculated allele frequencies were also compared with the data from neighboring populations. Results The highest detected value of polymorphism information content (PIC) was detected at the PentaE locus, whereas the lowest value was detected at the TPOX locus. The power of discrimination (PD) values had similar distribution, with Penta E showing the highest PD of 0.9788. While D18S51 had the highest value of power of exclusion (PE), the lowest PE value was detected at the TPOX locus. Conclusion Upon comparison of Bosnian and Herzegovinian population data with those of seven neighboring populations, the highest allele frequency differentiation was noticed between Bosnian and Herzegovinian and Turkish population at 5 loci, the most informative of which was Penta E. The neighbor-joining dendrogram constructed on the basis of genetic distance showed grouping of Slovenian, Austrian, Hungarian, and Croatian populations. Bosnian and Herzegovinian population was between the mentioned cluster and Serbian population. To determine more accurate distribution of allelic frequencies and forensic parameters, our study included 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our findings demonstrated the applicability of these markers in both forensics and future population genetic studies. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) are common markers in population biodiversity research, paternity testing, and forensic analysis of biological evidence. Reliability of STR amplification provides a high level of individualization that is crucial for population genetic studies. To obtain precise and reliable results of analysis, it is necessary to use population data obtained from a sufficient number of the samples (1). Currently available official allele frequencies for Bosnian and Herzegovinian population at 15 STR loci addressed in this study were published 10 years ago and obtained from only 100 unrelated individuals, which was acceptable at the time (2). The latest recommendations regarding the official publication and forensic usage of STR population data highlighted the need for increasing the size of population sample for its calculation. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine latest and more accurate allele frequencies and forensic statistical parameters for 15 most used STR loci in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population and compare them with the relevant data for other neighboring populations.