DNA profiling has ignited public interest and consequently their expectations for the capabilities of forensic criminal and science investigations. The prospect of characterising the genetic makeup of individuals or trace samples from a wide variety of depositional and post-mortem circumstances raises the question of how reliable the methods are given the potential for prolonged exposure to variation in environmental factors, i.e. temperature, pH, UV irradiation and humidity, that are known to induce damage to DNA. Thus, it is crucial to verify the validity of the DNA profiling for characterising the genetic makeup of post-mortem tissues. This project aimed to assess the reliability of sequence and microsatellite based genotyping of tissues (muscle, hair and bone) sampled from carcasses over a two year post-mortem period. This assessment investigated the impact of environment induced DNA degradation in the local geographic region that is typical of the circumstances that confront forensic practitioners in southern Australia and to utilise rigorous controls by studying animals whose time of death and burial was known and for which we had pre-decay tissue samples available. A ‘body farm’ with 12 pig carcasses on the northern Adelaide plains, ~60km north of Adelaide, which has a typical southern Australian Mediterranean climate, i.e. cold wet winters and hot dry summers. Pigs (Sus scrofa) were used as an experimental analogue for human subjects because of the logistical and ethical reasons. The pig carcasses were allocated among three treatments: four were left on the surface, four were buried at 1m depth, and four were buried at 2 m depth. These ‘burial’ conditions mimic a range of conditions encountered typically in forensic and archaeological studies. Cortical bone samples were taken from each pig carcass at one week, one month, three months, six months, one year and two years post-mortem and muscle and hair over the same sampling period for as long as those tissue types were present. A set of PCR primers to amplify two (short and a long) fragments from the hypervariable part of the mitochondrial control region (HVRI) that is used in forensic and evolutionary studies of humans and many other mammal species were developed. Also a panel of four pig microsatellite loci with fluorescent labels to facilitate automated multiplex genotyping. These loci matched as closely as possible the core motifs and allele lengths typical of the commercially available microsatellite marker kits used in Australian forensic science labs so that our experiments were as good a model as possible of the human forensic DNA technology. In this study it was possible to retrieve samples from muscle tissue up to 90 days, hair up to one year and bone at two years post-mortem. The analyses showed that the long and short HVRI region PCR fragments were only amplifiable up to 30 days from muscle tissue and that these fragments were amplifiable up to one year from hair. In contrast, in cortical bone both PCR fragments were amplifiable up to two years. The long fragment disappeared in muscle tissue completely after 30 days and in hair after six months. However, the long fragment was present in cortical bone even at two years. Overall, there was a general trend of loss of concentration of both the long and short fragments over time. Comparisons of the HVRI nucleotide sequences among tissues sampled from individual animals showed substitution changes in muscles as early as 30 days (3 out of 6 individuals) and hair at six months (1 out of 6 individuals). In contrast, in cortical bone substitutions first appeared at 365 days (1 out of 6 individuals). The most common substitution observed in all tissues types was the C-T transition, with A-G transversions observed in two episodes and C-A transversion observed in one episode. Analyses of microsatellite genotypes in muscle tissues showed high allele peaks on chromatograms up to day seven samples. However, by three months PCR was not successful from muscle tissue. While, bone tissue had lower allele peak heights compared to the muscle tissues, alleles were detectable up to six months. Allele drop out occurred for one animal (at 2 meters) in muscle tissue at the dinucleotide locus and for another animal (kept on surface) also in muscle tissue at a tetranucleotide locus. Stuttering was observed for a single animal at dinucleotide locus in muscle tissue (buried sample 2 meter depth). No stuttering or allele drop outs were seen in the bone tissue. Overall the four loci completely disappeared after 30 days in muscle tissue and after 180 days in bone tissue. In summary, analyses showed that post-mortem DNA degradation was present in all the three tissue types (muscle, hair and bone). The types of damage identified were DNA fragmentation, nucleotide substitutions and DNA loss, which resulted in a diminished frequency of successful PCR for mitochondrial and nuclear markers over time and stuttering and allele drop out in microsatellite genotyping. In addition, two nucleotide substitutions were concentrated in ‘hotspots’ that correlate with sites of elevated mutation rate in vivo. Also the frequency of successful PCR of longer nuclear and mitochondrial PCR products declined markedly more quickly than for shorter products. These changes were first observed at much shorter post mortem intervals in muscle and much longer post mortem intervals in hair and bone tissue. When considering the carcass deposition treatments, tissues that were retrieved from buried carcases showed higher levels of DNA degradation compared to tissues retrieved from carcases left on the surface. Overall, muscle tissue is a good source for DNA analysis in immediate post mortem samples, whereas hair and bone tissue are good source for DNA analysis from older samples. When comparing the microsatellite genotyping and mtDNA analyses, mtDNA is a reliable source for DNA analysis from tissue recovered from bodies that had decayed for longer post-mortem durations such as months to years, whereas microsatellite genotyping gives reliable results for tissue from shorter post mortem intervals (hours to few days). Therefore it is recommended that when analysing mtDNA sequences, cloning and sequencing PCR products can help to identify the base pair substitutions especially for tissue retrieved from longer post mortem intervals. In addition, increasing the template DNA concentrations and "neutralising" co-extracted DNA inhibitors should be considered when dealing with tissue from longer post mortem intervals. Finally, the more stringent protocols used in ancient DNA studies should be considered when dealing with tissue with much longer post mortem intervals in forensic settings. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2009

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The class IV alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH7, µ-ADH, σ-ADH) efficiently metabolizes ethanol and retinol. ADH7 is expressed mainly in the upper gastrointestinal tract with no expression in the liver unlike the other ADHs, and is implicated in various diseases including alcoholism, cancer and fetal alcohol syndrome. Genome wide studies have identified significant associations between ADH7 variants and alcoholism and cancer, but the causative variants have not been identified. Due to its association with two important metabolic pathways and various diseases, this dissertation is focused on studying ADH7 regulation and the effects of variants on this regulation using cell systems that replicate endogenous ADH7 expression. We identified elements regulating ADH7 transcription and observed differences in the effects of variants on gene expression. A7P-G and A7P-A, two promoter haplotypes differing in a single nucleotide at rs2851028, had different transcriptional activities and interacted with variants further upstream. A sequence located 12.5 kb upstream (7P10) can function as an enhancer. These complex interactions indicate that the effects of variants in the ADH7 regulatory elements depend on both sequence and cellular context, and should be considered in interpretation of the association of variants with alcoholism and cancer. The mechanisms governing the tissue-specific expression of ADH7 remain unexplained however. We identified an intergenic region (iA1C), located between ADH7 and ADH1C, having enhancer blocking activity in liver-derived HepG2 cells. This enhancer blocking function was cell- and position- dependent with no activity seen in CP-A esophageal cells. iA1C had a similar effect on the ectopic SV40 enhancer. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) bound iA1C in HepG2 cells but not in CP-A cells. Our results suggest that in liver-derived cells, iA1C blocks the effects of downstream ADH enhancers and thereby contributes to the cell specificity of ADH7 expression. Thus, while genetic factors determine level of ADH7 transcriptional activity, iA1C helps determine the cell specificity of transcription.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is currently the most common method for processing biological forensic evidence. STRs are highly polymorphic and allow for a strong statistical power of discrimination when comparing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples. Since sample testing and court proceedings occur months, if not years apart, samples must be stored appropriately in the event additional testing is needed. There are generally accepted methods to store DNA extracts long-term; however, one universally recognized method does not exist. The goal of this project was to examine various methods of storage and make recommendations for a universal storage method that maintained DNA integrity over time. Four variables were evaluated: storage buffer, storage temperature, initial storage concentration and the effects of repeated freeze-thaw cycles. DNA quantity was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and DNA quality was evaluated using STR genotyping. Overall, the Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer outperformed nuclease free water as a long-term storage buffer for DNA extracts. Stock tubes stabilized concentration better than single use aliquots when eluted with TE while tube type was not significant when water was the buffer. For samples stored in TE, temperature had no effect on DNA integrity over time, but samples stored in water were largely affected at room temperature. Additionally, the greater the initial DNA concentration, the less likely it was to degrade in water. As a result of this research, DNA extracts from forensic samples should be stored long-term in TE buffer with a minimum concentration of 0.1 ng/μL. When water is the buffer, frozen storage is recommended.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Forensic DNA profiling is widely used as an identification tool for associating an individual with evidence of a crime. Analysis of a DNA sample involves observation of data in the form of an electropherogram, and subsequently annotating a DNA “profile” from an individual or from the evidence. The profile obtained from the evidence can be compared to reference profiles deposited in a national DNA database, which may include the potential contributor. Following a match, a random match probability is calculated to determine how common that genotype is in the population. This is the probability of obtaining that same DNA profile by sampling from a pool of unrelated individuals. Each state has adopted various laws requiring suspects and/or offenders to submit a DNA sample for the national database (such as California’s law that all who are arrested must provide a DNA sample). These profiles can then be associated with past unsolved crimes, and remain in the database to be searched in the event of future crimes. In the case of database samples, a physical sample of the offender’s DNA must be kept on file in the laboratory indefinitely so that in the event of a database hit, the sample is able to be retested. Current methods are to collect a buccal swab or blood sample, and store the DNA extracts under strict preservation conditions, i.e. cold storage, typically -20° C. With continually increasing number of samples submitted, a burden is placed on crime labs to store these DNA extracts. A solution was required to help control the costs of properly storing the samples. FTA™ paper was created to fulfill the need for inexpensive, low maintenance, long term storage of biological samples, which makes it ideal for use with convicted offender DNA samples. FTA™ paper is a commercially produced, chemically treated paper that allows DNA to be stored at room temperature for years with no costly storage facilities or conditions. Once a sample is required for DNA testing, a small disc is removed and is to be used directly in a PCR reaction. A high quality profile is important for comparing suspect profiles to unknown or database profiles. A single difference between a suspect and evidentiary sample can lead to exclusion. Unfortunately, the DNA profile results yielded from the direct addition have been unfavorable. Thus, most crime laboratories will extract the DNA from the disc, leading to additional time and cost to analyze a reference sample. Many of the profiles from the direct addition of an FTA™ disc result in poor quality profiles, likely due to an increase in PCR inhibitors and high concentrations of DNA. Currently, standardized protocols regarding the recommended locations for removal of a sample disc from a bloodspot on an FTA™ card does not exist. This study aims to validate the optimal location by comparing DNA profiles obtained from discs removed from the center, halfway, and edge locations of a bloodspot from 50 anonymous donors. Optimal punch location was first scored on the number of failed, partial or discordant profiles. Then, profile quality was determined based on peak characteristics of the resulting DNA profiles. The results for all three disc locations were 5.3% failed amplifications, 4.2% partial amplifications, and one case of a discordant profile. Profile quality for the majority of the samples showed a high incidence of stutter and the absence of non-template adenylation. Of the three disc locations, the edge of the blood stain was ideal, due to a presumably lower concentration of DNA and likely more dilute amount of the PCR inhibitor heme. Therefore, based on the results of this study, there is a greater probability of success using a sample from the edge of a blood stain spotted in FTA™ paper than any other location of the FTA™ card.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / DNA phenotyping is a rapidly developing area of research in forensic biology. Externally visible characteristics (EVCs) can be determined based on genotype data, specifically from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs are chosen based on their association with genes related to the phenotypic expression of interest, with known examples in eye, hair, and skin color traits. DNA phenotyping has forensic importance when unknown biological samples at a crime scene do not result in a criminal database hit; a phenotype profile of the sample can therefore be used to develop investigational leads. IrisPlex, an eye color prediction assay, has previously shown high prediction rates for blue and brown eye color in a European population. The objective of this work was to evaluate its utility in a North American population. We evaluated the six SNPs included in the IrisPlex assay in an admixed population sample collected from a U.S.A. college campus. We used a quantitative method of eye color classification based on (RGB) color components of digital photographs of the eye taken from each study volunteer and placed in one of three eye color categories: brown, intermediate, and blue. Objective color classification was shown to correlate with basic human visual determination making it a feasible option for use in future prediction assay development. In the original IrisPlex study with the Dutch samples, they correct prediction rates achieved were 91.6% for blue eye color and 87.5% for brown eye color. No intermediate eyes were tested. Using these samples and various models, the maximum prediction accuracies of the IrisPlex system achieved was 93% and 33% correct brown and blue eye color predictions, respectively, and 11% for intermediate eye colors. The differences in prediction accuracies is attributed to the genetic differences in allele frequencies within the sample populations tested. Future developments should include incorporation of additional informative SNPs, specifically related to the intermediate eye color, and we recommend the use of a Bayesian approach as a prediction model as likelihood ratios can be determined for reporting purposes.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, has a complex system that allows it to thrive in the harsh and distinct environments of its tick vector and mammalian host. Although it has been known for some time that the Borrelia oxidative stress regulator protein (BosR) plays a necessary role in mammalian infectivity and functions as a transcriptional regulator of alternative sigma factor RpoS, very little is known about its mechanism of action, other than the suggestion that BosR activates rpoS transcription by binding to certain upstream regions of the gene. In our studies, we performed protein degradation assays and luciferase reporter assays for further understanding of BosR function. Our preliminary findings suggest that BosR is post-transcriptionally regulated by an unknown protease and may not need to bind to any rpoS upstream regions in order to activate transcription. We also describe the construction of luciferase reporter systems that will shed light on BosR’s mechanism of action. We postulate the provocative possibility that unlike its homologs Fur and PerR in other bacterial systems, BosR may not utilize a DNA-binding mechanism in order to fulfill its role as a transcriptional regulator to modulate virulence gene expression.