Population genetic data of 23 autosomal STR loci in the population of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Population-specific allele frequencies are required when autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) profiles are evaluated in identification and kinship cases. Published information for Uzbekistan remains limited, particularly for markers included in newer multiplex systems. We examined 23 autosomal STR loci in 1,538 unrelated individuals sampled across 13 regions of Uzbekistan. DNA obtained from buccal swabs and blood was quantified with the Quantifiler Trio kit, amplified with the VersaPlex 27PY system, and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on an ABI 3500xl Genetic Analyzer. The dataset comprised 333 alleles, with a mean of 14.48 alleles per locus, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.8092. After Bonferroni adjustment, neither Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium at individual loci nor pairwise linkage disequilibrium was significant. Using unrounded locus estimates, the combined random match probability was 2.13 × 10⁻³⁷; the combined probability of exclusion was 0.9999999968, and the combined paternity index was 1.262 × 10¹⁷. Nine loci had polymorphism information content above 0.8. Data for D1S1656, D2S441, D10S1248, D12S391, D6S1043, D22S1045, Penta D, and Penta E are presented for Uzbekistan for the first time. The frequency estimates provide an empirical basis for evaluating DNA evidence in Uzbekistan and add population data for Central Asia.