Evaluation of the inclusion of circular RNAs in mRNA profiling in forensic body fluid identification

The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling is considered a promising method in the identification of forensically relevant body fluids which can provide crucial information for reconstructing a potential crime. However, casework samples are usually of limited quantity or have been subjected to degrad...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of legal medicine 2018-01, Vol.132 (1), p.43-52
Main Authors: Zhang, Yaqi, Liu, Baonian, Shao, Chengchen, Xu, Hongmei, Xue, Aimin, Zhao, Ziqin, Shen, Yiwen, Tang, Qiqun, Xie, Jianhui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase - blood
5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase - genetics
Biomarkers
Biomarkers - blood
Blood Stains
Body fluids
Circularity
Crime
Dilution
DNA Primers
Electrophoresis, Capillary
Female
Fluids
Forensic Genetics
Forensic Medicine
Humans
Identification
Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 - blood
Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 - genetics
Medical Law
Medicine & Public Health
Menstruation
Original Article
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
RNA - genetics
RNA, Messenger - genetics
Stability
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling is considered a promising method in the identification of forensically relevant body fluids which can provide crucial information for reconstructing a potential crime. However, casework samples are usually of limited quantity or have been subjected to degradation, which requires improvement of body fluid identification. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of products from the backsplicing of pre-mRNAs, are shown to have high abundance, remarkable stability, and cell type-specific expression in human cells. In this study, we investigated whether the inclusion of circRNAs in mRNA profiling improve the detection of biomarkers including δ-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7) in body fluid identification. The major circRNAs of ALAS2 and MMP7 were first identified and primer sets for the simultaneous detection of linear and circular transcripts were developed. The inclusion of circRNAs in mRNA profiling showed improved detection sensitivity and stability of biomarkers revealed by using serial dilutions, mixed samples, and menstrual bloodstains as well as degraded and aged samples. Therefore, the inclusion of circRNAs in mRNA profiling should facilitate the detection of mRNA markers in forensic body fluid identification.
ISSN:0937-9827
1437-1596
DOI:10.1007/s00414-017-1690-7