Population genetic analysis of 36 Y-chromosomal STRs yields comprehensive insights into the forensic features and phylogenetic relationship of Chinese Tai-Kadai-speaking Bouyei

PLoS One. 2019 Nov 8;14(11):e0224601. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224601. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Male-specifically inherited Y-STRs, harboring the features of haploidy and lack of crossing over, have gained considerable attention in population genetics and forensic investigations. Goldeneye® Y-PLUS kit was a recently developed amplification system focused on the genetic diversity of 36 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) in East Asians. However, no population data and corresponding forensic features were reported in China. Here, 36 Y-STRs were first genotyped in 400 unrelated healthy Tai-Kadai-speaking Bouyei male individuals. A total of 371 alleles and 396 haplotypes could be detected, and the allelic frequencies ranged from 0.0025 to 0.9875. The haplotype diversity, random match probability and discrimination capacity values were 0.9999, 0.0026 and 0.9900, respectively. The gene diversity (GD) of 36 Y-STR loci in the studied group ranged from 0.0248 (DYS645) to 0.9601 (DYS385a/b). Population comparisons between the Guizhou Bouyei and 80 reference groups were performed via the AMOVA, MDS, and phylogenetic relationship reconstruction. The results showed that the population stratification was almost consistent with the geographic distribution and language-family, both among Chinese and worldwide ethnic groups. Our newly genotyped Bouyei samples show a close affinity with other Tai-Kadai-speaking groups in China and Southeast Asia. Our data may provide useful information for paternal lineage in the forensic application and population genetics, as well as evidence for archaeological and historical research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Chromosomes, Human, Y / genetics*
  • Ethnicity / genetics
  • Forensic Sciences*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genetics, Population*
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Phylogeny*

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 81601650 to ZR; Guizhou Province Engineering Technology Research Center Project, Qian High-Tech of Development and Reform Commission NO. [2016]1345 to JH; Guizhou Province Scientific and Technical Foundation, Qian Science LH NO. [2016]7360 to OW; Guizhou Scientific Support Project, Qian Science Support [2019] 2825 to JH; Guizhou Education Department Young Scientific and Technical Talents Project, Qian Education KY NO. [2018]199; Guiyang Scientific and Technical Foundation, Guiyang Science NO. [2017] 5-13; and Guizhou Province Scientific and Technical Project, Qian Science SY NO.[2013]3109 to YZ. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.