Pentanucleotide short tandem repeat locus DXYS156 displays different patterns of variations in human populations

Aim. To establish a database for the pentameric short tandem repeat locus D XYS156 from worldwide populations for routine genotyping in forensic identi ty testing and evolutionary biology. Methods. Using polymerase chain reaction with a newly designed primer pair, we analyzed 1,408 male and female samples from 28 populations representing four major geographic groups. Results. We observed 11 different alleles, which we sequenced and used to c onstruct an allelic ladder. Conclusion. DXYS156 displays a contrasting pattern of X-linked and Y-linked variation among geographic regions, and between X and Y chromosomes. This complex allele distribution may be forensically useful for the ethnic diffe rentiation of unknown stains.