Null alleles and sequence variations at primer binding sites of STR loci within multiplex typing systems

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis serves as a dominant means in individual identification and paternity testing, thus a variety of multiplex typing systems have been developed [1 –8]. Efforts have been made to obtain ideal primers, which optimize the assay to promote both specificity and efficiency of PCR amplification. However, rare variants at primer binding sites inevitably occur among populations [9], which might lead to unexpected mismatch in PCR amplification. Varian ts from single base modifications at certain regions of primer binding sites potentially affect annealing and/or elongation of primers, which can result in the dropout of one or both of the alleles present at the particular locus [10].

Source: Legal Medicine - October 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yining Yao, Qinrui Yang, Chengchen Shao, Baonian Liu, Yuxiang Zhou, Hongmei Xu, Yueqin Zhou, Qiqun Tang, Jianhui Xie Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research