Development of pentaplex PCR and genetic analysis of X chromosomal STRs in Punjabi population of Pakistan

The X-STRs are important tools in forensic application, particularly in complex cases of kinship testing. In deficiency paternity testing when alleged father cannot be typed, investigation of X-STR markers yields the desired information. Blood samples were collected from unrelated individual (118 females and 94 males) and 84 trios families (father, mother and daughter). DNA extraction from whole blood was performed with Phenol chloroform method. Five X-linked STR markers DXS6800, DXS7133, DXS6797, DXS981 and GATA165B12 were selected. The amplicons were analyzed through ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Pentaplex PCR system was developed for multilocus amplification at the same time. For each locus 4–9 alleles were noted. Altogether, 32 alleles were observed from five markers. Eighty-four trios families were analysed to check the mutation rate and no mutation was observed. Stutter peaks were observed maximum at locus DXS6797 (12.44%) while the minimum at locus DXS7133 (4.5%). For sensitivity study, amplification of X chromosomal short tandem repeats loci was successfully performed using 0.15 ng quantity of DNA as template. In conclusion; this pentaplex represents a convenient method to study X chromosome markers. It works with reasonable amounts of DNA and is suitable for paternity cases.