Genetic analysis of sixteen autosomal STR loci in three Tunisian populations from Makthar, Nabeul and Sousse

Background Due to its strategic location, Tunisia witnessed the succession and influence of many civilisations throughout history. However, the majority of studies carried out on Tunisia are focussed on Barbarian ethnicity. Aim To estimate genetic diversity and genetic structure of three Tunisian populations using autosomal STRs. Subjects and methods 278 individuals were analysed for sixteen STRs. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters were determined. Results The studied populations showed genetic affinity with geographically close populations. AMOVA showed no genetic difference between the Tunisian populations. Nevertheless, the variance between the populations of the same group was significant, reflecting their heterogeneity even though they came from the same geographical area, and had the same ethnicity and complex demographic history. Conclusion Our results strongly supported the application of autosomal genetic markers in anthropological and forensic studies. The analyses conducted at the 15-loci level provide the resolution to assess the phylogenetic relationships among the populations examined and other geographically targeted worldwide populations, while the results resulting from the 10-loci studies provide an understanding of the relationships and origins of the North African populations. Furthermore, the current report demonstrates that the battery of autosomal STRs reported are useful, providing the power of discrimination for forensic and paternity analyses

Genetic polymorphisms of 17 X-STR loci in two Tunisian populations from Sousse and Makthar

Tunisia has a complex demographic history of migrations from within Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. However, only one population study based on X-STR markers has been reported so far. To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 17 X-STRs in two Tunisian populations from the cities of Sousse and Makthar, and to reveal the genetic relationships with other reference populations. A total of 194 unrelated healthy individuals were analysed for 17 X-STR markers. Our results indicate that DXS6809 is the most polymorphic locus, whereas DXS6807 is the least informative marker in the populations of Sousse and Makthar. In addition, forensic statistical parameters, such as the power of discrimination in males and females, as well as the mean of exclusion in duos and trios, reveal that the panel of 17 X-STRs is highly informative and useful in different forensic applications. Overall, pairwise genetic distances (Fst) and non-metric MDS plots demonstrate clustering of different populations according to their geographic locations and their historical relationships. Overall, the study of X-STR markers of the Tunisian populations can help to promote the establishment of a forensic DNA reference database in Tunisia and provide reference for future anthropological research.</p