Polymorphism of 11 non-CODIS STRs in a population sample of religious minority of Old Believers residing in northeastern Poland

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to provide a database of 11 short tandem repeat (STR) markers not included in the Combined DNA Index System (non-CODIS) for a population sample of Old Believers (n=120) living in northeastern Poland. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted using Chelex-100 procedure. Genetic profiles were obtained using Mentype Chimera Kit (AG Biotype) and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer. The statistical tests were performed using GDA v1.1 and PowerStats v1.2 software. The genotype frequency distributions showed no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) except for D5S2500 and D3S1744. The departures appeared statistically insignificant when the Bonferroni correction was used for the number of analysed loci. Significant differences between the Old Believers and Polish Caucasians were found at D7S1517, D8S1132, D2S1360, D5S2500, D6S474, D4S2366 and D3S1744. The combined values of matching probability (MP) and mean exclusion chance (MEC) are 8.35×10-15 and 0.999998, respectively. A DNA database was established that may be used for the purpose of genetic profile comparison in criminal cases and chimerism monitoring after bone marrow transplantation. Significant differences revealed between the autochthonous Poles and the Old Believers by using RxC test and FST estimate support the idea of genetic isolation of this religious minority. Genetic polymorphisms analysed using statistical methods may be informative in differentiation of populations and ethnic groups in northeastern Poland.