STR Allele Sequence Variation: Current Knowledge and Future Issues

Published

July 6, 2015

Author(s)

Katherine Gettings, Rachel A. Aponte, Peter Vallone, John M. Butler

Abstract

This article reviews what is currently known about short tandem repeat (STR) allelic sequence variation in and around the twenty-four loci most commonly used throughout the world to perform forensic DNA investigations. These STR loci include D1S1656, TPOX, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, FGA, CSF1PO, D5S818, SE33, D6S1043, D7S820, D8S1179, D10S1248, TH01, vWA, D12S391, D13S317, Penta E, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, Penta D, and D22S1045. All known reported variant alleles are compiled along with genomic information available from GenBank, dbSNP, and the 1000 Genomes Project. Supplemental files are included that provide annotated reference sequences for each STR locus, characterize genomic variation around the STR repeat region, and compare alleles present in currently available STR kit allelic ladders. Looking to the future, STR allele nomenclature options are discussed as they relate to next generation sequencing efforts underway.

Citation

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Volume

18

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

forensic DNA, short tandem repeat, STR loci, DNA database, sequence variation, STR nomenclature

Citation

Gettings, K. , Aponte, R. , Vallone, P. and Butler, J. (2015), STR Allele Sequence Variation: Current Knowledge and Future Issues, Forensic Science International: Genetics, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.06.005 (Accessed April 30, 2026)

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