Analysis of y-chromosome str markers

Abstract

The methods and compositions provided herein relate to the discovery of 13 STR markers, found on the human Y chromosome, having surprisingly high mutation rates when compared with 173 other Y-STR markers known today. The set of RM-Y-STRs may overcome the current dilemma of Y-chromosome analysis in forensic applications due to their extraordinary mutation properties. Embodiments of the invention include methods for allelic determination of rapidly-mutating Y-STR markers, amplification primers for the analysis of rapidly-mutating Y-STR markers, allelic ladders for analysis of rapidly-mutating Y-STR markers, and kits for the analysis of rapidly-mutating Y-STR markers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A set of amplification primer pairs, comprising primers for the amplification of at least 2 Y-STR markers selected from the group consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627. 
     
     
         2 . A set of primers according to  claim 1 , wherein the primers can be used to co-amplify at least 3-13 loci from the group. 
     
     
         3 . A set of primer according to  claim 1 , wherein the primers can be used to amplify all loci from the group. 
     
     
         4 . A method of identifying an individual, the method comprising determining the allele of at least 2 Y-STR markers selected from the group consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the allele is identified by PCR. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the PCR is multiplex PCR that co-amplifies the at least 3 of the markers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the PCR uses primers that are labeled with a fluorescent dye. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the allele is identified by mass spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis, or gel electrophoresis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the PCR co-amplifies at least one the loci and an autosomal STR. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the autosomal STR is selected from the group consisting of D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, THO1, TPDX, and CSF1 PO. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for identifying the allele of at least 2 Y chromosome SIRS markers, wherein the markers are selected from the group consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627, the kit comprising primers for the amplification of at least 3 loci, and an allelic ladder representative of the selected markers. 
     
     
         12 . An allelic ladder size standard for calling one or more alleles of an STR from at least 2 of the Y-STR markers selected from the group consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627. 
     
     
         13 . A set of amplification primer pairs, comprising at least one primer pair selected from the group consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627. 
     
     
         14 . A set of amplification primer pairs of the identification of a male, comprising primers for the Y-STR markers consisting of DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526, DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627.