Usefulness of the Powerplex® Fusion System as typing methodology for CODIS and ESS genetic markers in an immigrant population from Cabo Verde in Lisboa

Abstract

Cabo Verde is located on the West African coast, was discovered uninhabited by Portuguese explorers, colonized by European and African slaves and is culturally characterized by a mixture of their settlers. Cabo Verde is one of the countries with the highest number of emigrants living in Portugal.In order to validate the genetic markers included in the Combined DNA Index System and in the European Standard Set, samples from 500 unrelated individuals from Cabo Verde, currently living in Lisboa, were studied with the PowerPlex® Fusion System. To implement the genotyping method at the Serviço de Genética e Biologia Forenses (SGBF) we determined the minimum final volume of the PCR reaction, the proper number of PCR cycles and the minimum DNA concentration to obtain a complete genetic profile. Stutter identification and its proportion and allelic imbalance within markers were also determined.Results were compared with genetic profiles obtained by the current PCR kits used in SGBF routine testing verifying concordance between common loci. There were no off-ladder alleles detected and it was possible to type microvariants which were not present in the allelic ladders of other PCR kits.PowerPlex® Fusion System allows for the simultaneous characterization of Combined DNA Index System and in the European Standard Set genetic markers, in an economically way, with greater sensitivity and solid results.