ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 March 1998
Page Count: 3

The DRPLA CAG Repeats in an Italian Population Sample: Evaluation of the Polymorphism for Forensic Applications
Abbondanza, A
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

Maiolini, E
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

Pappalardo, G
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

D'Apote, L
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

Bragliani, M
DNA analyst and Biologist, Malpighi Hospital Laboratory, Section of molecular and serological typing,

Esposti, PD
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

Pelotti, S
DNA analyst, Biologist, Ph.D. students and Professor, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna,

Mantovani, V
DNA analyst and Biologist, Malpighi Hospital Laboratory, Section of molecular and serological typing,

(Received 8 May 1997; accepted 15 August 1997)

Abstract

The DRPLA CAG repeats polymorphism has been studied in an Italian population sample. PCR amplification, manual PAGE and silver staining were employed. A total of 16 different alleles, spanning the range from 5 to 21 CAG triplettes, was observed. The heterozygosity was 0.81 and no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found. 81 meioses from parentage testing were also analyzed and a Mendelian pattern of inheritance was observed in all cases. In addition, we could successfully type DRPLA locus in some forensic specimens, 1 ng of DNA allowing clear definition of alleles. The authors conclude that the DRPLA CAG repeats analysis may be useful for forensic applications.

Keywords:
forensic science, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction, CAG repeat, population genetics, Italy, DNA typing

Paper ID: JFS16158J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS16158J
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