The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems: Meeting the New European Standard
Promega Corporation
Publication Date: 2009
Introduction
It has been nearly 10 years since a core set of loci for all European DNA databases, proposed by the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), was ratified (1) . The European Standard Set (ESS) of loci, which includes D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, TH01 and vWA, ensures overlap of the loci included in national databases across Europe. As the number of profiles in European databases continued to expand, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria enacted the Prüm Treaty (2) , which enables police forces from individual countries to compare and exchange data more readily. It has since been adopted by the European Union, which introduced a timeline for other EU nations to become compliant (3) . While individual nations work to draft suitable legislation, European thought leaders and forensic profiling consortiums have come together to determine the scope of the next European standard.
It is clear that the original ESS loci will not be sufficient when cooperation and collaboration increase between law enforcement of European nations. To address this, ENFSI and the European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) met to expand the ESS and determine the future of European STR kits. Based on the outcome of this meeting a strategy was introduced (4) , and later amended (5) , to address issues and create a more consistent, powerful and robust STR genotyping system. To this end, a strategy was proposed in which more loci would be added to the core set (5) . The introduction of new miniSTR loci and conversion of some current ESS loci to miniSTRs were also priorities of this initiative.
The PowerPlex® ESX and PowerPlex® ESI Systems address the needs of the next-generation European STR genotyping systems. Their design and combined discrimination power offer unique opportunities for corroboration as well as deconvolution of STR data. The multiple configurations of these kits allow end users to choose the system, or combination of systems, that best suits their needs. We feel the strength of this approach is that, by addressing both ENFSI strategies simultaneously, it eliminates the need for stepwise development and eventual convergence of next-generation STR systems for the European market (5) . It also prevents national laboratories from having to work with loci in a configuration with which they are not comfortable.
The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems
Promega has developed four new STR multiplexes for use by laboratories in Europe (PowerPlex® ESX 16 and PowerPlex® ESI 16 Systems without the SE33 locus, and PowerPlex® ESX 17 and PowerPlex® ESI 17 Systems with SE33). These new multiplexes each contain the five new loci selected by ENFSI and EDNAP (D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D12S391 and D1S1656) as well as 11 other loci commonly used throughout Europe (D8S1179, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, TH01, vWA, D2S1338, D3S1358, D16S539, D19S433 and the sex-determining marker Amelogenin). The PowerPlex® ESX Systems deliver the new ENFSI/EDNAP loci D10S1248, D22S1045 and D2S441 as miniSTRs (<125bp) and D12S391 and D1S1656 as midiSTRs (125–185bp) (Figure 1, Panel A). The PowerPlex® ESI Systems include the new ENFSI/EDNAP loci but focus on miniaturization of current ESS loci (i.e., D16S539, TH01 and D8S1179) (Figure 1, Panel B). Both formats are available with and without SE33. One primer for each locus is labeled with fluorescein, JOE, TMR-ET or CXR-ET and can be resolved in the blue, green, yellow or red channel, respectively, on the ABI PRISM® 310, 3100 and 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzers and Applied Biosystems 3130 and 3130xl Genetic Analyzers. Also included in each kit is CC5-labeled Internal Lane Standard 500 (CC5 ILS 500), which is resolved in the orange channel. Proper color deconvolution is obtained by matrix standardization or spectral calibration using the PowerPlex® 5-Dye Matrix Standards (Cat.# DG4600 and DG4700).
Inclusion of the current ESS loci in the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems ensures that current profiles in databases will remain relevant. ENFSI/EDNAP loci give the kits the power and uniformity that will be required in Europe’s next-generation kits. The overlap of loci and inclusion of divergent miniSTR loci in the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems will help confirm questionable results and genotype poor-quality samples. The SE33 option should appeal to laboratories in countries, such as Germany, where SE33 is included in databases, while users in countries and laboratories that do not report SE33 alleles will not have to use a STR genotyping system containing the locus.
Each kit includes all components necessary to amplify regions of purified genomic DNA: Amplification-grade water, 5X master mix and 10X primer pair mix. Also 9947A DNA is included as a positive control. The master mix includes a hot-start Taq DNA polymerase as well as buffer, salts, MgCl2 and dNTPs in a proprietary blend that ensures robust amplification, even when using challenging (e.g., inhibited) samples.
Reaction setup allows a generous volume of template DNA, which is beneficial when working with dilute samples. The kit configurations assure that reactions are set up with minimal pipetting steps, reducing the chance for errors and contamination. The CC5 ILS 500 and allelic ladder mix (included with post-amplification components) allow accurate sizing of amplified products. Panel and bin files for GeneMapper® ID software, version 3.2, and panel, bin and stutter files for GeneMapper® ID-X software are available at: www.promega.com/geneticidtools/panels_bins/
Performance of the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems
A key consideration of the European forensic community was robust amplification despite template DNA degradation or inhibition that may be seen in crime scene samples. The presence of different loci as miniSTRs in the ESX and ESI configurations enables recovery of more information from degraded samples when both systems are used in combination. The formulation of the master mix ensures that carryover of PCR inhibitors is of little concern. Full profiles were generated in the presence of 300µM hematin (Figure 2). Each of the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems also exhibits a high tolerance for common PCR inhibitors found in soil and dyes (data not shown). Together, these data show that these kits exhibit a resistance to common PCR inhibitors that had not been demonstrated in commercially available multiplex STR systems prior to PowerPlex® 16 HS (6) . The inclusion of mini- and midiSTRs, combined with extreme resistance to inhibitors, makes the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems acutely robust even when tasked with challenging samples.
The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems can accommodate a range of template DNA concentrations. Balance was optimized at 0.5ng of DNA using the manufacturer's recommended 30-cycle protocol (7) (7) (7) (8) , and product specifications ensure that it will amplify as little as 100pg of DNA (Figure 3). Developmental studies showed that the PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems are sensitive enough to give interpretable results when amplifying much less than 100pg of DNA (Figure 3).
Conclusions
The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems satisfy the strategies set forth by the ENFSI and EDNAP in response to expanding European DNA databases and increased cooperation between EU member nations as a result of recent legislation. These kits offer a range of choices designed to satisfy diverse needs represented throughout Europe. The PowerPlex® ESX and PowerPlex® ESI kits were designed and optimized to provide the consistency, power of discrimination and robustness required for Europe’s next-generation STR systems. When appropriate, they also can be used in tandem to yield genotyping data with an unprecedented degree of clarity.
Related Products
Related Protocols
- PowerPlex® ESX 17 Fast System for Use on the Applied Biosystems® Genetic Analyzers Technical Manual
- PowerPlex® ESI 17 Fast System for Use on the Applied Biosystems® Genetic Analyzers Technical Manual
- PowerPlex® ESX 16 Fast System for Use on the Applied Biosystems® Genetic Analyzers Technical Manual
- PowerPlex® ESI 16 Fast System for Use on the Applied Biosystems® Genetic Analyzers Technical Manual
Article References
- European Council: Resolution of 25 June 2001 on the exchange of DNA analysis and results.
- (2005) Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Austria: 27 May 2005 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration. Prüm, Germany.
- Justice and Home Affairs Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime. Luxembourg.
- Gill, P. et al. (2006) The evolution of DNA databases—Recommendations for new European STR loci. Forensic Sci. Int. 156, 242–4.
- Gill, P. et al. (2006) New multiplexes for Europe—Amendments and clarification of strategic development. Forensic Sci. Int. 163, 155–7.
- Ensenberger, M.G. and Fulmer, P.M. (2009) The PowerPlex® 16 HS System. Profiles in DNA 12(1), 9–11.
- PowerPlex® ESI 17 System Technical Manual, TMD028, Promega Corporation.
How to Cite This Article
Scientific Style and Format, 7th edition, 2006
Sprecher, C.J. et al. The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems: Meeting the New European Standard. [Internet] 2009. [cited: year, month, date]. Available from: https://www.promega.com/resources/profiles-in-dna/2009/the-powerplex-esx-and-esi-systems-meeting-the-new-european-standard/
American Medical Association, Manual of Style, 10th edition, 2007
Sprecher, C.J. et al. The PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems: Meeting the New European Standard. Promega Corporation Web site. https://www.promega.com/resources/profiles-in-dna/2009/the-powerplex-esx-and-esi-systems-meeting-the-new-european-standard/ Updated 2009. Accessed Month Day, Year.
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