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Brancato D, Coniglio E, Bruno F, Agostini V, Saccone S, Federico C. Forensic DNA Phenotyping: Genes and Genetic Variants for Eye Color Prediction. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1604. [PMID: 37628655 PMCID: PMC10454093 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the use of genetic polymorphisms related to specific phenotypes, such as eye color, has greatly contributed to the development of the research field called forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), enabling the investigators of crime cases to reduce the number of suspects, making their work faster and more precise. Eye color is a polygenic phenotype, and many genetic variants have been highlighted, with the major contributor being the HERC2-OCA2 locus, where many single nucleotide variations (SNPs) were identified. Interestingly, the HERC2-OCA2 locus, containing the intronic SNP rs12913832, the major eye color determinant, shows a high level of evolutionary conservation across many species of vertebrates. Currently, there are some genetic panels to predict eye color by genomic DNA analysis, even if the exact role of the SNP variants in the formation of eye color is still poorly understood, with a low level of predictivity in the so-called intermediate eye color. Many variants in OCA2, HERC2, and other genes lie in introns or correspond to synonymous variants, highlighting greater complexity in the mechanism of action of such genes than a simple missense variation. Here, we show the main genes involved in oculocutaneous pigmentation and their structural and functional features, as well as which genetic variants show the highest level of eye color predictivity in currently used FDP assays. Despite the great recent advances and impact of FDP in criminal cases, it is necessary to enhance scientific research to better understand the mechanism of action behind each genetic variant involved in eye color, with the goal of obtaining higher levels of prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree Brancato
- Department Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.B.); (C.F.)
| | - Elvira Coniglio
- Department Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.B.); (C.F.)
| | - Francesca Bruno
- Department Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.B.); (C.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Agostini
- Department Science and Technical Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Viale Teresa Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.B.); (C.F.)
| | - Concetta Federico
- Department Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.B.); (C.F.)
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Valvi D, Christiani DC, Coull B, Højlund K, Nielsen F, Audouze K, Su L, Weihe P, Grandjean P. Gene-environment interactions in the associations of PFAS exposure with insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in a Faroese cohort followed from birth to adulthood. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 226:115600. [PMID: 36868448 PMCID: PMC10101920 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with changes in insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function in humans. Genetic predisposition to diabetes may modify these associations; however, this hypothesis has not been yet studied. OBJECTIVES To evaluate genetic heterogeneity as a modifier in the PFAS association with insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function, using a targeted gene-environment (GxE) approach. METHODS We studied 85 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with type 2 diabetes, in 665 Faroese adults born in 1986-1987. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were measured in cord whole blood at birth and in participants' serum from age 28 years. We calculated the Matsuda-insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and the insulinogenic index (IGI) based on a 2 h-oral glucose tolerance test performed at age 28. Effect modification was evaluated in linear regression models adjusted for cross-product terms (PFAS*SNP) and important covariates. RESULTS Prenatal and adult PFOS exposures were significantly associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and increased beta-cell function. PFOA associations were in the same direction but attenuated compared to PFOS. A total of 58 SNPs were associated with at least one PFAS exposure variable and/or Matsuda-ISI or IGI in the Faroese population and were subsequently tested as modifiers in the PFAS-clinical outcome associations. Eighteen SNPs showed interaction p-values (PGxE) < 0.05 in at least one PFAS-clinical outcome association, five of which passed False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction (PGxE-FDR<0.20). SNPs for which we found stronger evidence for GxE interactions included ABCA1 rs3890182, FTO rs9939609, FTO rs3751812, PPARG rs170036314 and SLC12A3 rs2289116 and were more clearly shown to modify the PFAS associations with insulin sensitivity, rather than with beta-cell function. DISCUSSION Findings from this study suggest that PFAS-associated changes in insulin sensitivity could vary between individuals as a result of genetic predisposition and warrant replication in independent larger populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - David C Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brent Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kurt Højlund
- Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Li Su
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pal Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Centre of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Application of Forensic DNA Phenotyping for Prediction of Eye, Hair and Skin Colour in Highly Decomposed Bodies. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11050647. [PMID: 36900653 PMCID: PMC10000573 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11050647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) by adopting informative DNA molecular markers has become a method in forensic genetics that has increased its value, giving rise to an interesting field called "Forensic DNA Phenotyping" (FDP). The most meaningful forensic applications of EVCs prediction are those in which, having only a DNA sample isolated from highly decomposed remains, it is essential to reconstruct the physical appearance of a person. Through this approach, we set out to evaluate 20 skeletal remains of Italian provenance in order to associate them with as many cases of missing persons as possible. To achieve the intended goal, in this work we applied the HIrisPlex-S multiplex system through the conventional short tandem repeats (STR) method to confirm the expected identity of subjects by evaluating phenotypic features. To investigate the reliability and accuracy of the DNA-based EVCs prediction, pictures of the cases were compared as they were available to researchers. Results showed an overall prediction accuracy greater than 90% for all three phenotypic features-iris, hair, and skin colour-at a probability threshold of 0.7. The experimental analysis showed inconclusive results in only two cases; this is probably due to the characteristics of subjects who had an intermediate eye and hair colour, for which the DNA-based system needs to improve the prediction accuracy.
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NIPAT as Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing Using a Panel of 861 SNVs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020312. [PMID: 36833238 PMCID: PMC9957069 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1997, it was discovered that maternal plasma contains Cell-Free Fetal DNA (cffDNA). cffDNA has been investigated as a source of DNA for non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal pathologies, as well as for non-invasive paternity testing. While the advent of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) led to the routine use of Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPT or NIPS), few data are available regarding the reliability and reproducibility of Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing (NIPPT or NIPAT). Here, we present a non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPAT) analyzing 861 Single Nucleotide Variants (SNV) from cffDNA through NGS technology. The test, validated on more than 900 meiosis samples, generated log(CPI)(Combined Paternity Index) values for designated fathers ranging from +34 to +85, whereas log(CPI) values calculated for unrelated individuals were below -150. This study suggests that NIPAT can be used with high accuracy in real cases.
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Dabas P, Jain S, Khajuria H, Nayak BP. Forensic DNA phenotyping: Inferring phenotypic traits from crime scene DNA. J Forensic Leg Med 2022; 88:102351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Zampatti S, Ragazzo M, Fabrizio C, Termine A, Campoli G, Caputo V, Strafella C, Cascella R, Caltagirone C, Giardina E. Genetic Variants Allegedly Linked to Antisocial Behaviour Are Equally Distributed Across Different Populations. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11030213. [PMID: 33809805 PMCID: PMC8002417 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human behaviour is determined by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have demonstrated different associations between human behaviour and numerous genetic variants. In particular, allelic variants in SLC6A4, MAOA, DRD4, and DRD2 showed statistical associations with major depressive disorder, antisocial behaviour, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder; BDNF polymorphic variants were associated with depressive, bipolar, and schizophrenia diseases, and TPH2 variants were found both in people with unipolar depression and in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Independent studies have failed to confirm polymorphic variants associated with criminal and aggressive behaviour. In the present study, a set of genetic variants involved in serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and neurobiological pathways were selected from those previously associated with criminal behaviour. The distribution of these genetic variants was compared across worldwide populations. While data on single polymorphic variants showed differential distribution across populations, these differences failed to be significant when a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the total number of published variants. The lack of reproducibility of the genetic association data published to date, the weakness of statistical associations, the heterogeneity of the phenotype, and the massive influence of the environment on human behaviour do not allow us to consider these genetic variants as undoubtedly associated with antisocial behaviour. Moreover, these data confirm the absence of ethnic predisposition to aggressive and criminal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zampatti
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Michele Ragazzo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Carlo Fabrizio
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Andrea Termine
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Giulia Campoli
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Valerio Caputo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Claudia Strafella
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Raffaella Cascella
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1000 Tirana, Albania
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Giardina
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy; (S.Z.); (C.F.); (A.T.); (G.C.); (C.S.); (R.C.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence:
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