Analysis of human specificity in AFLP systems APOB, PAH, and D1S80

We have previously characterized and databased three human amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci: the hypervariable regions 3' to apolipoprotein B (APOB), phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and at locus D1S80. The analysis utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for human identification in forensic and paternity testing. This study extended that work by assessment of specificity of amplicons produced with non-human and human control DNAs for APOB, PAH and D1S80 under high and low stringency PCR conditions. It was seen that primate and other animal templates (with the exception of chimpanzee) yielded products below the human allele range under high stringency PCR parameters. Under reduced stringency PCR with animal and primate samples, reproducible genetic fingerprints were generated spanning the human allele range. The patterns were produced with defined human AFLP primer pairs under specifically relaxed PCR reaction and thermalcycling parameters. They showed genetic relationships between species at the DNA level. Amplicon patterns were compared for band size and intensity matches within the PCR synthesis range defined by the conditions used. This technique could become a useful tool in species identification and molecular evolutionary studies.