Selective quantification of human DNA by real-time PCR of FOXP2

Soejima, Mikiko; Hiroshige, Kenichi; Yoshimoto, Joji; Koda, Yoshiro

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2011.09.006

« Previous Next »Forensic Science International: Genetics
Volume 6, Issue 4 , Pages 447-451, July 2012

Selective quantification of human DNA by real-time PCR of FOXP2

Mikiko Soejima
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Human Genetics, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
Kenichi Hiroshige
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Human Genetics, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, 7-7 Higashikoen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8576, Japan
Joji Yoshimoto
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Human Genetics, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
Yoshiro Koda
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Human Genetics, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
- Corresponding author at: Department of Forensic Medicine and Human Genetics, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahimachi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. Tel.: +81 942 31 7554; fax: +81 942 31 7700.

Received 2 June 2011; received in revised form 21 September 2011; accepted 22 September 2011. published online 17 October 2011.

Abstract

We established a simple quantitative PCR procedure with high specificity and sensitivity using TaqMan probes targeting the FOXP2 sequence. This assay distinguished human and nonhuman, including primates, samples with the exception of mouse, turtle, lizard, and fishes. However, the specific amplification of mouse, lizard, and turtle fragments of FOXP2 could be confirmed by electrophoresis after real-time PCR. Because the C_T values obtained for human DNA were not affected by contaminating animal DNA at concentrations up to 30 times that of human DNA, we were able to estimate the concentration of human DNA in mixed specimens. This assay provides a reliable and useful method for routine quantification of human-specific DNA in forensic practice.

Keywords: Real-time PCR, Human identification, Quantification of DNA, TaqMan