Population Genetic Analysis of 12 X-STRs in a Bahraini Population Sample

To date, there are very limited genetic studies conducted on the Kingdom of Bahrain and this is one of the first studies directed to evaluate the 12 X-STRs included in the Investigator X-12 QS kit. Bahrain is a small archipelago positioned in the Arabian Gulf. X-STRs are very informative in population genetics studies, human identification and complex kinship analysis. One hundred and fifty-six (156) buccal swabs were collected using cotton swabs from non-relatives’ Bahraini males from four different regions of Bahrain. Genomic DNAs were extracted and purified using QIAsymphony SP instrument following quantification with Investigator Quantiplex HYres Kit in the 7500 Real-Time PCR System and detected in ABI 3500xl Genetic Analyzer. Analysis was done using various statistical software to obtain allele and haplotypes’ frequencies based upon the available four clusters of Linkage Groups (LGs) as well as different forensic and population parameters. Results indicated the diversity of the Bahraini population in terms of high Power of Discrimination (PD) and Probability of Match (PM) values. The combined values of each forensic parameter such as cPDM, Mean exclusion chance (cMEC) Krüger, CMEC Kishida, and CMEC Desmarais as well as CMEC Desmarais Duo, were 0.9999983, 9999979, 0.9999939, 0.9999996 and 0.9999514 respectively based on the allele and haplotype frequencies. No shared profiles were observed. Number of non-standard alleles and null alleles were obtained, and more profoundly in locus DXS10148. We have constructed phylogenetic tree as well as multidimensional scale to analyze the interpopulation diversity between Bahraini population and other neighboring populations and our findings reflected the geographical and social background of the region. Overall, the results confirmed the importance of X-STRs in discriminating between individuals among Bahraini population and in establishing DNA databases for forensic and kinship studies.