Allelic and haplotype diversity of 12 X-STRs in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) are used to complement autosomal and Y-STRs in complex kinship testing, and can be of potential value when determining trace female DNA in male background. We analyzed extracted and directly-amplified samples of 501 males from the United Arab Emirates and report the forensic statistical parameters of 12 X-STRs and haplotypes of the four previously defined linkage groups using the Investigator Argus X-12 QS kit. Combined PD_M, PD_F, MEC Desmarais Trio and MEC Desmarais Duo based on allele (and haplotype) frequencies were 0.9999999997 (0.999999996), >0.9999999999 (>0.999999999), 0.999999999 (0.999999996) and 0.9999997 (0.99999994) respectively. No shared profile was observed, and significant linkage disequilibrium was detected only within the four linkage groups. We calculated pairwise genetic distance (F_ST) between our Emirati sample and 35 populations and find they generally mirror biogeography and historical relationships. We identified 20 distinct off-ladder alleles in seven loci, the majority of which at DXS10148 and DXS10134. Our analysis reveals that the 12 loci are informative and discriminatory in the Emirati population.

Keywords: Arabian Peninsula; Population genetics; UAE; X chromosome.