Assessment of cattle genetic introgression into domestic yak populations using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers

Hybridization between yak Poephagus grunniens and taurine Bos taurus or indicine B. indicus cattle has been widely practiced throughout the yak geographical range, and gene flow is expected to have occurred between these species. To assess the impact of cattle admixture on domestic yak, we examined 1076 domestic yak from 29 populations collected in China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Russia using mitochondrial DNA and 17 autosomal microsatellite loci. A cattle diagnostic marker-based analysis reveals cattle-specific mtDNA and/or autosomal microsatellite allele introgression in 127 yak individuals from 22 populations. The mean level of cattle admixture across the populations, calculated using allelic information at 17 autosomal microsatellite loci, remains relatively low (mY(cattle) = 2.66 +/- 0.53% and Q(cattle) = 0.69 +/- 2.58%), although it varies a lot across populations as well as among individuals within population. Although the level of cattle admixture shows a clear geographical structure, with higher levels of admixture in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Mongolian and Russian regions, and lower levels in the Himalayan and Pamir Plateau region, our results indicate that the level of cattle admixture is not significantly correlated with the altitude across geographical regions as well as within geographical region. Although yak-cattle hybridization is primarily driven to produce F-1 hybrids, our results show that the subsequent gene flow between yak and cattle took place and has affected contemporary genetic make-up of domestic yak. To protect yak genetic integrity, hybridization between yak and cattle should be tightly controlled.

Microsatellite DNA analysis proves nucleus of interspecies reconstructed blastocyst coming from that of donor giant panda

A method for DNA isolation from early development of blastocyst and further analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA was developed in present study. Total DNA was prepared from interspecies reconstructed blastocyst and a giant panda specific microsatellite locus g(010) was successfully amplified. DNA sequencing of the PCR product showed that two sequences of reconstructed blastocysts are the same as that of positive control giant panda. Our results prove that the nucleus of interspecies reconstructed blastocyst comes from somatic nucleus of donor giant panda.

Identification, cloning, and characterization of microsatellite DNA in Euglena gracilis

Microsatellite DNA has been developed into one of the most popular genetic markers. We have identified and cloned microsatellite loci in the genome of a free-living protozoan Euglena gracilis FACHB-848, using the random amplified microsatellites method (RAMS). The digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotides(CT)(10) and (GT)(10) served as probes to detect complementary sequences in the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints produced by means of Southern blotting. Subsequently, positive RAPD fragments were cloned. From a total of 31 RAPD primer profiles, eight microsatellite loci of E. gracilis were detected and characterized. Further, six sites (i.e. EGMS1, EGMS3, EGMS4, EGMS5, EGMS6, and EGMS7) showed polymorphisms. We found a GT or CT microsatellite every 10.5 kb in the genome of E. gracilis, and similar to animal genomes, the (GT)(n) motif was much more abundant than the (CT)(n) motif. These polymorphic microsatellite DNA will serve as advantageous molecular markers for studying the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Euglena.

Nine microsatellite DNA primers for Hippophae rhamnoides ssp sinensis (Elaeagnaceae)

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis occurs mainly in the and regions of northwest China. The wood stands of this subspecies play an important role in maintaining the local ecosystems in these regions. In addition, the genetic characteristics are essential to understand the historical range changes of this subspecies and its morphological differentiation with other subspecies. In this study, we developed nine microsatellite loci for this subspecies for the first time. We used the combining biotin capture method to enrich AG/CT/AC/GT/CG/GTG/CCA microsatellites. Twenty-six microsatellites were isolated from the enriching library and nine of them were found to be polymorphic through screening 12 distantly distributed individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to twelve and expected heterozygosity from 0.2659 to 0.4767, respectively. We further performed cross-priming tests in another subspecies and two congeneric species. These firstly isolated loci will provide a useful tool to investigate the genetic structure of this subspecies and its morphological differentiation from the other subspecies.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA primers in Juniperus przewalskii Kom (Cupressaceae)

Juniperus przewalskii (Cupressaceae) is a dominant tree species endemic to the northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This species plays an important role in maintaining the arid ecosystem in this region. However, natural distributions of this species have been declined. In order to develop effective conservation methods, it is important to know the distribution of the genetic diversity within and among populations. In this study, we developed nine new microsatellite loci for this species. We used the combining biotin capture method to enrich AG/CT/AC/GGT microsatellites. The polymorphisms of each locus were further assessed in 12 individuals from four geographically distant populations. The number of alleles per locus varied from three to six and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.58 to 0.70. These loci together provide a useful tool to investigate the genetic diversity of this species. In addition, all markers have been crossly checked in the other four congeneric species.

Gene mapping of a new coat mutation in mouse

Gene mapping of a mouse coat mutation has been investigated. First, 100 10-bp random primers were used to amplify DNA, but the mutation could not be located by this method because there were no correlation between the amplified products and coat phenotypes. Second, by using Idh1, Car2, Mup1, Pgb1, Hbb, Es10, Es1, Mod1, Gdc1, Ce2, Es3 as genetic markers, linkage test crosses (two-point test) consisting of intercrossing uncovered BALB/c mice (homozygotes) to CBA/N and C57BL/6 mice with normal hair and backcrossing the heterozygotes of the F1 to the uncovered BALB/c mice were made. It was soon evident that the mutation was linked to Es3 on chromosome 11. Furthermore, three-point test was made by using Es3 and D11Mit8 (a microsatellite DNA) as genetic markers. The result showed that the mutation was linked to Es3 with the percentage recombination of (7.89 +/- 2.19)%, and linked to D11Mit8 with the percentage recombination of (26.38 +/- 3.57)%. The percentage recombination between Es3 and D11Mit8 was (32.90 +/- 3.81)%. The mutation was named Uncovered, with the symbol Uncv. According to the recombinations, the loci order was D11Mit8-26.30 +/- 3.57- Uncv-7.89 +/- 2.19-Es3. From the location on the chromosome, it was concluded that the mutation was a new mutation which affected the skin and hair structure of mouse. The Uncv has entered MGD (Mouse Genome Database).

海湾扇贝微卫星标记的开发及遗传连锁图谱的构建

海湾扇贝（Argopecten irradians）不连续分布于美国大西洋沿岸和墨西哥湾沿岸，自1982年以来北部亚种（A. i. irradians）和南部亚种（A. i. concentricus）被先后引进到中国，由于其生长速度快、繁殖周期短和适宜温度范围广的特点，迅速成为我国海水养殖的重要品种。近年来飞速发展的分子标记技术为优良品种的选育注入了新的活力，相对于传统的表型选择来说，标记辅助选择不易受环境的影响，尤其是对于低遗传力性状和后期表达的性状，能增强选择效率，提高选择的准确度，缩短育种周期。本文通过构建海湾扇贝微卫星富集文库获得大量的微卫星DNA序列，筛选多态的微卫星标记构建了海湾扇贝的遗传连锁图谱，并应用复合区间作图法对生长相关性状进行了QTL定位。 本研究利用富集文库-菌落原位杂交法筛选海湾扇贝微卫星DNA，吸附(AC)15和(AG)15探针的尼龙膜捕捉并富集含有微卫星序列的片段，菌落原位杂交结果显示阳性克隆率达到40%，测序比对后获得521个独立的阳性克隆，其中微卫星506个，小卫星15个。微卫星中，完美型248个，占49.0%，非完美型216个，占42.7%；复合型42个，占8.3%；AG/TC重复占大多数（356个，70.4%），AC/TG重复有150个（29.6%）。设计合成了382对引物，利用38个海湾扇贝个体对其中15个微卫星位点进行了遗传多样性评价，不同位点扩增得到的等位基因数从3到7个不等，期望杂合度和观测杂合度的范围分别为0.198~0.813和0.083~0.833，实验结果表明富集文库-菌落原位杂交法适合大规模筛选微卫星标记。 利用8个微卫星标记对海湾扇贝1个野生种群和3个养殖群体的遗传多样性与分化进行了比较和分析。8个位点共扩增得到35个等位基因，平均每个位点4.38个等位基因，平均有效等位基因数为2.30，平均观测杂合度和期望杂合度分别为0.41和0.46。相比于野生群体（美国），养殖群体（北卡罗来那、浙江和胶南）的等位基因数和杂合度都有所降低，在封闭环境下养殖19代的浙江群体等位基因数丢失最严重，共有9个等位基因丢失（25.7%）。经过多代人工养殖后，海湾扇贝养殖与野生群体之间和养殖群体之间出现了明显的遗传分化，胶南群体与野生群体的遗传距离最大，而胶南群体与浙江群体的遗传距离已经超过了胶南群体（北部亚种）和北卡罗来那（南部亚种）群体的遗传距离，这种分化将有利于海湾扇贝的杂交选育。 利用167个微卫星标记和1个壳色标记，以海湾扇贝2个全同胞F1代为作图群体，构建了海湾扇贝的性别遗传连锁图谱。整合的雌性连锁图谱含有118个标记，覆盖了16个连锁群，每个连锁群含有的标记数目从4到16个不等，平均每个连锁群上有7.4个标记，图谱总长度为761.0 cM，标记间的平均间隔为8.55 cM，图谱的覆盖率为73.5%；整合雄性连锁图谱含有126个标记，覆盖了17个连锁群，每个连锁群含有的标记数目从2到11个不等，平均每个连锁群上有7.4个标记，图谱总长度为729.1 cM，标记间的平均间隔为6.75 cM，图谱的覆盖率为74.7%。雌性亲本的重组率高于雄性，雌雄亲本共享标记间的重组率比值为1.18：1。偏分离标记在性别间呈现不对称分布，雄性亲本的偏分离高于雌性亲本，可能与雄性亲本来源于亚种间杂交的遗传背景相关。 利用海湾扇贝微卫星遗传连锁图谱在两个作图家系中对5个生长性状的QTL进行了定位，5个生长性状的表型相关均达到极显著水平（P < 0.01），Pearson相关系数均超过0.781，总重、壳长、壳宽、壳高和壳重的QTL（LOD > 2.0）的数目分别为8、6、6、7和6个。这些QTL成簇分布于CC5家系的LG1、LG3、LG4、LG8和CC10家系的LG1、LG3、LG6、LG8、LG9连锁群，单个QTL可解释的表型方差为5.5%到29.2%，QTL成簇分布现象说明这些生长相关的性状可能具有共同的遗传基础，家系特异性QTL暗示在不同的遗传背景和环境下存在不同的主效QTL。本研究定位的QTL，尤其在两个家系中共享的QTL为下一步分子标记辅助选择提供了参考区间。

Yellow perch strain evaluation I: Genetic variance of six broodstock populations

As a prelude to strain selection for domestication and future marker assisted selection, genetic variation revealed by microsatellite DNA was evaluated in yellow perch, Perca flavescens, from four wild North American populations collected in 2003-2004 (Maine, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania,), and two captive populations (Michigan and Ohio). For the loci examined, levels of heterozygosity ranged from H-e=0.04 to 0.88, genetic differentiation was highly significant among all population pairs, and effective migration ranged from low (N(e)m=0.3) to high (N(e)m=4.5). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was regularly observed indicating significant departures from random mating. Instantaneous measures of inbreeding within these populations ranged from near zero to moderate (median F=0.16) and overall inbreeding levels averaged F-IS=0.18. Estimates of genetic diversity, Phi(ST), and genetic distance were highest between Michigan and all other broodstock groups and lowest between New York and Ohio. Genetic differentiation among groups did not correlate with geographic distance. Overall, the patterns of variation exhibited by the captive (Michigan and Ohio) populations were similar to patterns exhibited by the other wild populations, indicating that spawning and management practices to date have not significantly reduced levels of genetic variation. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a highly conserved microsatellite marker with utility potentials in cyprinid fishes

A microsatellite locus, MFW1, originating from common carp is highly conserved in flanking nucleotides but variable in repeat length in some fishes from different families of the Cypriniformes. This orthologous locus is polymorphic in approximately 58% of the species tested in the order and is inherited by Mendelian law. It proved to be a potentially good marker in population genetics and in the cyprinid species-breeding programme in which no microsatellite markers were available.

Complex mutation at a microsatellite locus in sturgeons: Acipenser sinensis, A-schrenckii, A-gueldenstaedtii and A-baerii

Cross-species amplifications of microsatellite locus Spl-106, which was originally screened from the genome of shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) with a perfect TAGA repeat motif, were carried out in four other species of the genera Acipenser. A total of 34 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products representing 16 different alleles of this locus was sequenced. Sequence analysis results showed that besides the number changes of repeat units, many mutational events, such as single-base substitutions and various insertion/deletion (indels) occurred not only at species level but also at individual level, even among the different alleles within the same individual. The repeat motifs varied from perfect (TAGA)n array to perfect compound (TAAA)m (GAAA)n and perfect or imperfect compound (TAAA)m (TAGA)n (TAAA)x arrays in different species and different individuals. The evolution dynamics of this locus in sturgeons was inferred in that it may evolve from a single perfect to different perfect or imperfect compounds.

Population genetics of Crassostrea ariakensis in Asia inferred from microsatellite markers

Crassostrea ariakensis is an important aquacultured oyster species in Asia, its native region. During the past decade, consideration was given to introducing C. ariakensis into Chesapeake Bay, in the United States, to help revive the declining native oyster industry and bolster the local ecosystem. Little is known about the ecology and biology of this species in Asia due to confusion with nomenclature and difficulty in accurately identifying the species of wild populations in their natural environment. Even less research has been done on the population genetics of native populations of C. ariakensis in Asia. We examined the magnitude and pattern of genetic differentiation among 10 wild populations of C. ariakensis from its confirmed distribution range using eight polymorphic microsatellite markers. Results showed a small but significant global theta (ST) (0.018), indicating genetic heterogeneity among populations. Eight genetically distinct populations were further distinguished based on population pairwise theta (ST) comparisons, including one in Japan, four in China, and three populations along the coast of South Korea. A significant positive association was detected between genetic and geographic distances among populations, suggesting a genetic pattern of isolation by distance. This research represents a novel observation on wild genetic population structuring in a coastal bivalve species along the coast of the northwest Pacific.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Peeling a DNA Molecule on Substrate

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to study adhesion and peeling of a short fragment of single strand DNA (ssDNA) molecule from a graphite surface. The critical peel-off force is found to depend on both the peeling angle and the elasticity of ssDNA. For the short ssDNA strand under investigation, we show that the simulation results can be explained by a continuum model of an adhesive elastic band on substrate. The analysis suggests that it is often the peak value, rather than the mean value, of adhesion energy which determines the peeling of a nanoscale material.

Metric representation of DNA sequences

A metric representation of DNA sequences is borrowed from symbolic dynamics. In view of this method, the pattern seen in the chaos game representation of DNA sequences is explained as the suppression of certain nucleotide strings in the DNA sequences. Frequencies of short nucleotide strings and suppression of the shortest ones in the DNA sequences can be determined by using the metric representation.

Recurrence plot analysis of DNA sequences

Recurrence plot technique of DNA sequences is established on metric representation and employed to analyze correlation structure of nucleotide strings. It is found that, in the transference of nucleotide strings, a human DNA fragment has a major correlation distance, but a yeast chromosome's correlation distance has a constant increasing. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.