Analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) HUMVWA in the Spanish population

Amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci and subsequent typing by electrophoresis and silver staining has become a useful tool for identity testing. One viable group of genetic markers amenable to amplification by PCR is the short tandem repeat (STR) loci. A horizontal discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method was used to type the amplified products of the STR HUMVWA. Typing for VWA of 120 unrelated Spanish Caucasians was done. Six alleles were observed with frequencies in the range 0.096-0.242. The genotype distribution meets Hardy-Weinberg expectations (0.25 < P < 0.50). The heterozygosity was 73.3% and the discrimination power (DP) 0.94. Simultaneously, in a small sample of families (n = 24) no new mutations could be found.