A STUDY OF 5 VARIABLE NUMBER TANDEM REPEAT (VNTR) LOCI IN THE GREEK POPULATION

The use of hypervariable tandem repeat loci for population genetic stu dies, genetic analysis of inherited disease and individual identificat ion purposes requires establishment of a genetic database for each ref erence population. In the present study we have analysed variability a t five tandem repeat loci (D1S80, D17S5, 3'-HVR/apoB, F8vWF and D6S89) in a representative sample (88 to 156 individuals of Creek ancestry), using polymerase chain reaction amplification. Between nine and 19 al leles were resolved throughout the five polymorphic loci. Heterozygosi ty indices for these loci in the Greek population ranged from 0.68 to 0.85. Allele frequencies follow a bimodal or more complex distribution pattern which was also observed in other populations. Power of discri mination (PD) and allelic diversity (h) values ranged from 0.84 to 0.9 4 and 0.85 to 0.91, respectively, and indicated that these loci are hi ghly informative and can be used for population studies, forensic purp oses and parentage and family testing. Comparison of observed and expe cted genotype frequencies by the conventional chi-square test indicate d conformity to Hardy-Weinberg predictions.