Evaluating the potential of SSR flanking regions for examining taxonomic relationships in the Vitaceae

Three EST-derived microsatellite loci from Vitis vinifera were amplified and sequenced across eight species of Vitaceae from four different genera. Phylogenetic analysis of the microsatellite’s flanking regions produced informative results in congruence with previous studies. Generic relationships were respected and the data produced sufficient inter-specific variation to distinguish between Cayratia acris and Cayratia saponaria, two very closely related species. Overall, the sequence alignments showed that priming sites were conserved, whereas microsatellite repeats were present in most cases but structurally variable. The sequence data provided information on the evolutionary patterns of various microsatellite repeats and their correlation to evolutionary relationships among taxa. Received: 15 December 2000 / Accepted: 12 April 2001     

Fast and reliable genotype validation using microsatellite markers in Arabidopsis thaliana

 In this paper we show how rogue genotypes in the parental stocks or contaminants among the crossed progeny of Arabidopsis thaliana can be readily identified and excluded from the breeding process using microsatellite markers derived from a small quantity of intact leaf tissue which has been alkali-treated. This method is fast and cost effective as it does not require DNA extraction, is highly reliable, and is less damaging to small plants where only limited quantities of plant tissue are available. Furthermore, a large number of samples can be processed in 1 day, facilitating the identification process prior to selfing or crossing the plants. In addition, the procedure could potentially be automated since no centrifugation is required. Received: 2 April 1998 / Accepted: 31 May 1998     

Identification of DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) markers close to the symbiosis-ineffective sym31 mutation of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

 We demonstrate efficient genome mapping through a combination of bulked segregant analysis (BSA) with DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF). Two sets of 64 octamer DAF primers, along with two PCR programs of low- and high-annealing temperatures (30°C and 55°C, respectively), appeared to be enough to locate molecular markers within 2–5 cM of a gene of interest. This approach allowed the rapid identification of four BSA markers linked to the pea (Pisum sativum L.) Sym31 gene, which is responsible for bacteroid and symbiosome differentiation. Three of these markers are shown to be tightly linked to the sym31 mutation. Two markers flanking the Sym31 gene, A21-310 and B1-277, cover a 4–5 cM interval of pea linkage group 3. Both markers were converted to sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCARs). The flanking markers may be potential tools for marker-assisted selection or for positional cloning of the Sym31 gene. Received: 2 July 1998 / Accepted: 8 October 1998     

Potential of microsatellites to distinguish four races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri prevalent in India

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, the causal agent of chickpea wilt, is an important fungal pathogen in India. Thirteen oligonucleotide probes complementary to microsatellite loci, in combination with 11 restriction enzymes, were used to assess the potential of such markers to study genetic variability in four Indian races of the pathogen. Hybridisation patterns, which were dependent upon both the restriction enzyme and oligonucleotide probe used, revealed the presence of different repeat motifs in the F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri genome. Among the restriction enzymes used, hexa-cutting enzymes were more informative than tetra- and penta-cutting enzymes, whereas tetranucleotide and trinucleotide repeats yielded better hybridisation patterns than dinucleotide repeats. Dependent upon the levels of polymorphism detected, we have identified (AGT)₅, (ATC)₅ and (GATA)₄ as the best fingerprinting probes for the F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri races. The distribution of microsatellite repeats in the genome revealed races 1 and 4 to be closely related at a similarity index value of 76.6%, as compared to race 2 at a similarity value of 67.3%; race 3 was very distinct at a similarity value of 26.7%. Our study demonstrates the potential of oligonucleotide probes for fingerprinting and studying variability in the F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri races and represents a step towards the identification of potential race diagnostic markers. Received: 12 March 2000 / Accepted: 14 April 2000     

Cloning, quantification and characterization of a minisatellite DNA sequence from common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L.

 We describe the cloning and the characterization of a 130-bp DNA fragment, called OPG9-130, amplified from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genomic DNA. This fragment corresponds to a minisatellite DNA sequence containing seven repeats of 15 bp which differ slightly from each other in their sequence. Southern analysis showed that the core sequence of 15 bp is repeated in clusters dispersed throughout the genome. The use of this fragment as a probe allowed us to identify common bean lines by their DNA fingerprints. We suggest that OPG9-130 will be useful for line identification as well as for the analysis of genetic relatedness between bean species and lines. Received: 14 February 1998 / Accepted: 10 February 1998     

DNA fingerprinting of Indian isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

 A high level of genetic polymorphism was detected among Indian isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae using hypervariable probes such as a microsatellite oligonucleotide, probe (TG)₁₀, a human minisatellite probe, pV47, an avirulence gene probe, avrXa10 and a repeat clone, pBS101. These DNA probes detected multiple loci in the bacterial genome generating complex DNA fingerprints and differentiated all of the bacterial isolates. Analysis of fingerprints indicated that pV47, (TG)₁₀ and pBS101 have a lower probability of identical match than avrXa10 and therefore are potential probes for DNA fingerprinting and variability analysis of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae pathogen populations. Cluster analysis based on hybridization patterns using all of the above probes showed five groups at 56% similarity. Studies on the methylation patterns of isolates representing the three important races of X. oryzae pv. oryzae indicated more methylation in the most virulent isolate, suggesting a possible role of methylation in pathogenicity. Received: 8 December 1996 / Accepted: 20 December 1996     

Anchored simple-sequence repeats as primers to generate species-specific DNA markers in Lolium and Festuca grasses

Simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) comprising three tetranucleotide repeat sequences with two-base ’anchors’, namely 5′-(AGAC)₄GC, 5′-AC(GACA)₄ and 5′-(GACA)₄GT, were used in PCR reactions as primers to develop inter-SSR DNA fingerprints of the outbreeding grass species Lolium multiflorum, L. perenne, Festuca pratensis and F. arundinacea. Each species was represented by DNA samples from 3 to 6 varieties. In all four species distinctive species-specific DNA profiles were produced that were common across a number of varieties despite their diverse origin. While the fingerprints of the two ryegrasses, L. multiflorum and L. perenne, were the most similar, a number of inter-SSR DNA markers were generated that enabled them to be distinguished from each other. Some slight variations were found between varieties, which provided putative variety-specific markers for cultivar identification. In addition, variations in the DNA profiles of the genotypes of L. multiflorum and F. pratensis were examined, and the results showed that variety-specific fingerprints are integrated patterns made up from the profiles of individual genotypes. Amongst the primers used, AC(GACA)₄ generated the best distinction between Lolium and Festuca individuals and provides an effective new tool for genome identification. A number of species-discriminating sequences, ranging in size between 550 bp and 1,600 bp, were cloned: three clones for F. pratensis, one clone for L. multiflorum and one clone for F. arundinacea. A F. pratensis fragment pFp 78H582 was sequenced. Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of this fragment in F. arundinacea (which contains one genome of F. pratensis), but no homology was found with L. multiflorum. However, a F. arundinacea clone amplified with (GACA)₄GT, pFa 104H1350, was found to be unique to the F. arundinacea genome. Received: 23 June 1999 / Accepted: 27 August 1999     

Genetic mapping of hypervariable minisatellite sequences in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Minisatellites, or DNA fingerprinting sequences, have been utilized in animal linkage studies for several years but have not been used as markers for plant genome mapping. In animal genome mapping they have resulted in limited success because they are evenly dispersed in some species but are often clustered near telomeric regions, as observed on human chromosomes. The purpose of the present study was to generate DNA fingerprints utilizing several rice-derived minisatellites containing different core sequences and numbers of repeat units, followed by assessing their potential for use as genetic markers when mapped to a rice recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. Sites of segregating minisatellite loci were mapped onto 11 of the 12 rice RIL linkage maps. The implications for the use of rice minisatellite core sequences as genetic markers on linkage maps in rice are discussed. Received: 1 March 1999 / Accepted: 22 June 1999     

A new system of comparing PCR primers applied to ISSR fingerprinting of potato cultivars

 Commercial scale fingerprinting of potato cultivars is made difficult by the need for speed, reliability and the ability to distinguish between large numbers of genotypes. There are also problems in extrapolating the results of small experimental studies to predict the performance of techniques or primers for larger applications. The potential of ISSR-PCR for fingerprinting purposes was evaluated using four primers on 34 potato cultivars. The complex band profiles generated were reproducible between repeat PCRs, DNA extractions, electrophoreses and gel scorings. Two primers were each able to distinguish all cultivars. The combined use of any two of the four primers also allowed complete diagnosis. It is concluded that ISSR-PCR provides a quick, reliable and highly informative system for DNA fingerprinting that is amenable for routine applications. Two possible correlates of the ability of primers to distinguish between genotypes were then examined. Marker Index failed to correlate significantly with genotype diagnosis, but a strong and seemingly linear relationship was observed between Resolving Power of a primer and its ability to distinguish genotypes (r²=0.98). Resolving Power of one or a pair of primers was found to provide a moderately accurate estimate of the number of genotypes identified. Possible implications for future studies on DNA fingerprinting are discussed. Received: 7 May 1998 / Accepted: 15 July 1998     

PCR primed with minisatellite core sequences yields DNA fingerprinting probes in wheat

 Four minisatellite core sequences were used as primers in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, known as the directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD), to detect polymorphisms in three pairs of hexaploid/tetraploid wheat cultivars. In each pair, the tetraploid cultivar (genomic formula AABB) was extracted from its corresponding hexaploid (genomic formula AABBDD) parent. Reproducible profiles of the amplified products revealed characteristic bands that were present only in the hexaploid wheats but not in their extracted tetraploids. Some polymorphisms were observed among the hexaploid cultivars. Twenty-three DAMD-PCR amplified fragments were isolated and screened as molecular probes on the genomic DNA of wild wheat species, hexaploid wheat and triticale cultivars. Subsequently, 8 of the fragments were cloned and sequenced. The DAMD-PCR clones revealed various degrees of polymorphism among different wild and cultivated wheats. Two clones yielded individual-specific DNA fingerprinting patterns which could be used for species differentiation and cultivar identification. The results demonstrated the use of DAMD-PCR as a tool for the isolation of informative molecular probes for DNA fingerprinting in wheat cultivars and species. Received: 13 May 1996/Accepted: 11 October 1996     

The effects of non-homology in RAPD bands on similarity and multivariate statistical ordination in Brassica and Helianthus

 In order to estimate the impact of mis-coding non-homologous, co-migrating DNA bands as homologous, two sets of data were utilized. Analyses were conducted using three Helianthus species in which each co-migrating band had previously been confirmed. Comparisons of the similarities between these three Helianthus species using the original 177 RAPD bands and the corrected, homology verified, 197 RAPD band data set revealed that the triangular relationship among these three species was almost identical in both data sets. The non-homology errors in the Helianthanus data sets were found to be random. These random errors merely reduced the absolute similarities, but not the relative similarities nor the relationships among the taxa, in principal-coordinate-analysis ordination. Analyses of RAPDs for the classical Brassica U triangle were made by inserting random non-homologies for 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the original 220 RAPD bands. These analyses revealed a progressive decrease in similarities and less loading on the first two axes in principal coordinate analysis (PCO). However, the basic U triangle of relationships among these six Brassica species was maintained. It appears that if errors in homology of co-migrating DNA bands are random, this will have little effect on the relative similarities and on PCO ordination. This helps explain the successful use of RAPDs at the specific level. Received: 6 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

Microsatellite variability in grapevine cultivars from different European regions and evaluation of assignment testing to assess the geographic origin of cultivars

Nine microsatellite markers (VVMD5, VVMD7, VVS2, ssrVrZAG21, ssrVrZAG47, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG64, ssrVrZAG79 and ssrVrZAG83) were chosen for the analysis of marker information content, the genetic structure of grapevine cultivar gene pools, and differentiation among grapevines sampled from seven European vine-growing regions (Greece, Croatia, North Italy, Austria and Germany, France, Spain and Portugal). The markers were found to be highly informative in all cultivar groups and therefore constitute a useful set for the genetic characterization of European grapevines. Similar and high levels of genetic variability were detected in all investigated grapevine gene pools. Genetic differentiation among cultivars from different regions was significant, even in the case of adjacent groups such as the Spanish and Portuguese cultivars. No genetic differentiation could be detected between vines with blue and white grapes, indicating that they have undergone the processes of cultivar development jointly. The observed genetic differentiation among vine-growing regions suggested that cultivars could possibly be assigned to their regions of origin according to their genotypes. This might allow one to determine the geographical origin of cultivars with an unknown background. The assignment procedure proved to work for cultivars from the higher differentiated regions, as for example from Austria and Portugal. Received: 10 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

Analysis of SSRs derived from grape ESTs

One hundred and twenty four microsatellites were isolated from analysis of 5000 Vitis expressed sequence tags (ESTs). A diversity of dinucleotide and trinucleotide simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs were present. Primers were designed for 16 of these SSRs and they were tested on seven accessions. Ten of the sixteen primer pairs resulted in PCR products of the expected size. All ten functional primers were polymorphic across the accessions studied. Polymorphisms were evident at the level of cultivars, Vitis species, and between related genera. SSRs that were from the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) were most polymorphic at the cultivar level, the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) SSRs were most polymorphic between cultivars and species, and those SSRs within coding sequence were most polymorphic between species and genera. These results show that EST-derived SSRs in Vitis are useful as they are polymorphic and highly transferable. With EST SSRs being applicable to studies at several taxonomic levels, the large number of SSRs (approximately 1000) that will be available from an expanded EST database of 45 000 will have many potential applications in mapping and identity research. Received: 4 June 1999 / Accepted: 21 September 1999     

Direct amplification of minisatellite-region DNA with VNTR core sequences in the genus Oryza

 A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) application, involving the directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD) with several minisatellite core sequences as primers, was used to detect genetic variation in 17 species of the genus Oryza and several rice cultivars (O. sativa L.). The electrophoretic analysis of DAMD-PCR products showed high levels of variation between different species and little variation between different cultivars of O. sativa. Polymorphisms were also found between accessions within a species, and between individual plants within an accession of several wild species. The DAMD-PCR yielded genome-specific banding patterns for the species studied. Several DAMD-PCR-generated DNA fragments were cloned and characterized. One clone was capable of detecting multiple fragments and revealed individual-specific hybridization banding patterns using genomic DNA from wild species as well as rice cultivars. A second clone detected only a single polymorphic locus, while a third clone expressed a strong genome specificity by Southern analysis. The results demonstrated that DAMD-PCR is potentially useful for species and genome identification in Oryza. The DAMD-PCR technique also allows for the isolation of informative molecular probes to be utilized in DNA fingerprinting and genome identification in rice. Received: 1 October 1996 / Accepted: 25 April 1997     

Low-Cot DNA sequences for fingerprinting analysis of germplasm diversity and relationships in Amaranthus

We examined genetic diversity and relationships among 24 cultivated and wild Amaranthus accessions using the total low-Cot DNA and five individual repetitive sequences as probes. These low-Cot DNA probes were obtained by the isolation of various classes of repetitive-DNA sequences, including satellites, minisatellites, microsatellites, rDNA, retrotransposon-like sequences, and other unidentified novel repetitive sequences. DNA fingerprints generated by different types of repetitive-DNA probes revealed different levels of polymorphism in the Amaranthus genomes. A repetitive sequence containing microsatellites was found to be a suitable probe for characterizing intraspecific accessions, whereas more conservative sequences (e.g. rDNA) were informative for resolving phylogenetic relationships among distantly related species.Genetic diversity, measured as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and the similarity index at the low-Cot DNA level, was equally high among intraspecific accessions between the two species groups: grain amaranths (A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus) and their putative wild progenitors (A. hybridus, A. powellii, and A. quitensis). At the interspecific level, however, the grain amaranth species are less divergent from each other than their wild progenitors. With the rare exceptions of certain A. caudatus accessions, grain amaranths were found to be closely related to A. hybridus. The results based on low-Cot DNA were comparable with previous RAPD and isozyme studies of the same set of species/accessions of Amaranthus, indicating that low-Cot DNA sequences are suitable probes for a fingerprinting analysis of plant germplasm diversity and for determining phylogenetic relationships. Received: 19 October 1998 / Accepted: 8 January 1999     

Divergent Human Y-Chromosome Microsatellite Evolution Rates

In this work, we analyze several characteristics influencing the low variability of the microsatellite DYS19 in the major founder Amerindian Y chromosome lineage containing the point mutation DYS199-T. Variation of DYS19 was compared with that of five other Y-linked tetranucleotide repeat loci (DYS389A, DYS389B, DYS390, DYS391, and DYS393) in the DYS199-T lineage. All the other microsatellites showed significantly higher levels of variability than DYS19 as measured by gene diversity and repeat number variance. Moreover, we had previously shown that DYS19 had high diversity in Brazilians and in several other populations worldwide. Thus, the slow DYS19 evolution in the DYS199-T lineage seems to be both locus and allele specific. To understand the slow DYS19 evolutionary rate, the microsatellite loci were compared according to their mapping on the Y chromosome and also on the basis of structural aspects such as the base composition of the repeat motif and flanking regions and the degree of perfection and size (repeat number) of the variable blocks. The only observed difference that might be related to the low DYS19 variability is its small average number of repeats, a value expected to be closer to the founder DYS19 allele in the DYS199-T lineage. These data were also compared to other derived Y lineages. The Tat-C lineage displayed a lower DYS19 variability correlated to a small average repeat number, while in the DYS234-G lineage, a high DYS19 variability was found associated to a larger average repeat number. This approach reveals that evolution of Y microsatellites in lineages defined by slowly evolving markers, such as point mutations, can be greatly influenced by the size (number of repeats of the variable block) of the founder allele in each microsatellite locus. Thus lineage-dating methods using microsatellite variation should be practiced with great care. Received: 7 November 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1999     

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis reveals genetic relationships among the annual Cicer species

 Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers were used to distinguish between nine different Cicer taxa representing the cultivated chickpea and eight other related annual wild species. Of the 75 random10-mer primers tested, only 8 amplified genomic DNA across all the species. A total of 115 reproducibly scorable RAPD markers were generated, all except 1 polymorphic, and these were utilized to deduce genetic relationships among the annual Cicer species. Four distinct clusters were observed and represented C. arietinum, C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum in first cluster followed by C. chorassanicum and C. yamashitae in the second cluster, while C. pinnatifidum, C. judaicum and C. bijugum formed the third cluster. Cicer cuneatum did not cluster with any of the species and was most distantly placed from the cultivated species. Except for the placement of C. chorassanicum and C. yamashitae, deduced species’ relationships agreed with previous studies. In addition, species-diagnostic amplification products specific to all the nine species were identified. The results clearly demonstrate a methodology based on random-primed DNA amplification that can be used for studying Cicer phylogeny and chickpea improvement. Received: 27 July 1998 / Accepted: 5 August 1998     

Microsatellite markers for genome analysis in Brassica. II. Assignment of rapeseed microsatellites to the A and C genomes and genetic mapping in Brassica oleracea L.

Microsatellites are highly polymorphic and efficient markers for the analysis of plant genomes. Primer specificity, however, may restrict the applicability of these markers even between closely related species for comparative mapping studies. We have demonstrated that the majority of microsatellites identified in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L; AC genome) correspond to loci which can be easily assigned to the A and C progenitor genomes. A study with 63 primer pairs has shown that 54% detect two loci, one from each genome, while 25% and 21%, respectively, are either A or C genome-specific. The distribution of rapeseed microsatellites in the C genome was investigated by genetic mapping in Brassica oleracea L. Ninety two dinucleotide microsatellites were screened for polymorphism in an F₂ population derived from a cross between collard and cauliflower, for which an RFLP map has been constructed previously. Thirty three primer pairs (35.7%) have yielded either unspecific or no PCR products whereas the remaining primer pairs amplified one or more distinct loci. The level of polymorphism found in the mapping population was 49.2%. A total of 29 primer pairs disclosed 34 loci of which 31 are evenly distributed on 8 of the 9 B. oleracea linkage groups. For the remaining three markers linkage could not be established. Our results showed that microsatellite markers from the composite genome of B. napus can serve as a useful marker system in genetic studies and for plant-breeding objectives in B. oleracea. Received: 14 April 2000 / Accepted: 3 July 2000