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. 2009 Jun;50(3):286-95.
doi: 10.3325/cmj.2009.50.286.

Kinship and Y-chromosome analysis of 7th century human remains: novel DNA extraction and typing procedure for ancient material

Daniel Vanek  1 , Lenka Saskova, Hubert Koch
Affiliations

Kinship and Y-chromosome analysis of 7th century human remains: novel DNA extraction and typing procedure for ancient material

Daniel Vanek et al. Croat Med J. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: To develop novel DNA extraction and typing procedure for DNA identification of the 7th century human remains, determine the familiar relationship between the individuals, estimate the Y-chromosome haplogroup, and compare the Y-chromosome haplotype with the contemporary populations.

Methods: DNA from preserved femur samples was extracted using the modified silica-based extraction technique. Polymerase chain reaction amplification was performed using human identification kits MiniFiler, Identifiler, and Y-filer and also laboratory-developed and validated Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) pentaplexes with short amplicons.

Results: For 244A, 244B, 244C samples, full autosomal DNA profiles (15 STR markers and Amelogenin) and for 244D, 244E, 244F samples, MiniFiler profiles were produced. Y-chromosome haplotypes consisting of up to 24 STR markers were determined and used to predict the Y-chromosome haplogroups and compare the resulting haplotypes with the current population. Samples 244A, 244B, 244C, and 244D belong to Y-chromosome haplogroup R1b and the samples 244E and 244F to haplogroup G2a. Comparison of ancient haplotypes with the current population yielded numerous close matches with genetic distance below 2.

Conclusion: Application of forensic genetics in archaeology enables retrieving new types of information and helps in data interpretation. The number of successfully typed autosomal and Y-STR loci from ancient specimens in this study is one of the largest published so far for aged samples.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The appearance of the surface of bone samples selected for DNA analysis. Figure 1 shows the sample 244B.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The nacreous appearance of the cut to the bone samples selected for DNA analysis. Figure 2 shows the sample 244B.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Electropherograms of DNA typing results of the sample 244B using Minifiler (A) and Identifiler (B) amplification kits. Peak labels represent alleles obtained; intensity of the peaks is expressed in relative fluorescent units.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Electropherograms of DNA typing result of the sample 244B using Y-filer amplification kit. Peak labels represent alleles obtained; intensity of the peaks is expressed in relative fluorescent units.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Electropherograms of DNA typing results of the sample 244B using Y-miniplex I and Y-miniplex II quintuple systems. Peak labels represent alleles obtained; intensity of the peaks is expressed in relative fluorescent units.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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