Assignment of 3 genetic linkage groups to 3 chromosomes of narrow-leafed lupin

The legume genus, Lupinus, has many notable properties that make it interesting from a scientific perspective, including its basal position in the evolution of Papilionoid legumes. As the most economically important legume species, L. angustifolius L. (narrow-leafed lupin) has been subjected to much genetic analysis including linkage mapping and genomic library development. Cytogenetic analysis has been hindered by the large number of small morphologically uniform chromosomes (2n = 40). Here, we present a significant advance: the development of chromosome-specific cytogenetic markers and assignment of the first genetic linkage groups (LGs) to chromosomal maps of L. angustifolius using the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-fluorescence in situ hybridization approach. Twelve clones produced single-locus signals that "landed" on 7 different chromosomes. Based on BAC-end sequences of those clones, genetic markers were generated. Eight clones localized on 3 chromosomes, allowed these chromosomes to be assigned to 3 LGs. An additional single-locus clone may be useful to combine an unassigned group (Cluster-2) with main LGs. This work provides a strong foundation for future identification of all chromosomes with specific markers and for complete integration of narrow-leafed lupin LGs. This resource will greatly facilitate the chromosome assignment and ordering of sequence contigs in sequencing the L. angustifolius genome.     

Localization of BAC clones on mitotic chromosomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis> using fluorescence <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> hybridization

A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of banana (Musa acuminata) was used to select BAC clones that carry low amounts of repetitive DNA sequences and could be suitable as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on mitotic metaphase chromosomes. Out of eighty randomly selected BAC clones, only one clone gave a single-locus signal on chromosomes of M. acuminata cv. Calcutta 4. The clone localized on a chromosome pair that carries a cluster of 5S rRNA genes. The remaining BAC clones gave dispersed FISH signals throughout the genome and/or failed to produce any signal. In order to avoid the excessive hybridization of repetitive DNA sequences, we subcloned nineteen BAC clones and selected their ‘low-copy’ subclones. Out of them, one subclone gave specific signal in secondary constriction on one chromosome pair; three subclones were localized into centromeric and peri-centromeric regions of all chromosomes. Other subclones were either localized throughout the banana genome or their use did not result in visible FISH signals. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that subclones, which localized on different regions of all chromosomes, contained short fragments of various repetitive DNA sequences. The chromosome-specific BAC clone identified in this work increases the number of useful cytogenetic markers for Musa.     

An Integrated Genetic and Cytogenetic Map for Zhikong Scallop,Chlamys farreri,Based on Microsatellite Markers

The reliability of genome analysis and proficiency of genetic manipulation requires knowledge of the correspondence between the genetic and cytogenetic maps. In the present study, we integrated cytogenetic and microsatellite-based linkage maps for Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri. Thirty-eight marker-anchored BAC clones standing for the 19 linkage groups were used to be FISH probes. Of 38 BAC clones, 30 were successfully located on single chromosome by FISH and used to integrate the genetic and cytogenetic map. Among the 19 linkage groups, 12 linkage groups were physically anchored by 2 markers, 6 linkage groups were anchored by 1 marker, and one linkage group was not anchored any makers by FISH. In addition, using two-color FISH, six linkage groups were distinguished by different chromosomal location; linkage groups LG6 and LG16 were placed on chromosome 10, LG8 and LG18 on chromosome 14. As a result, 18 of 19 linkage groups were localized to 17 pairs of chromosomes of C. farreri. We first integrated genetic and cytogenetic map for C. farreri. These 30 chromosome specific BAC clones in the cytogenetic map could be used to identify chromosomes of C. farreri. The integrated map will greatly facilitate molecular genetic studies that will be helpful for breeding applications in C. farreri and the upcoming genome projects of this species.     

Genomic content and new insights on the origin of the B chromosome of the cichlid fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astatotilapia latifasciata</Emphasis>

B chromosomes are additional chromosomes widely studied in a diversity of eukaryotic groups, including fungi, plants and animals, but their origin, evolution and possible functions are not clearly understood. To further understand the genomic content and the evolutionary history of B chromosomes, classical and molecular cytogenetic analyses were conducted in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia latifasciata, which harbor 1–2 B chromosomes. Through cytogenetic mapping of several probes, including transposable elements, rRNA genes, a repeated DNA genomic fraction (C ₀ t − 1 DNA), whole genome probes (comparative genomic hybridization), and BAC clones from Oreochromis niloticus, we found similarities between the B chromosome and the 1st chromosome pair and chromosomes harboring rRNA genes. Based on the cytogenetic mapping data, we suggest the B chromosome may have evolved from a small chromosomal fragment followed by the invasion of the proto-B chromosome by several repeated DNA families.     

Development of one set of chromosome-specific microsatellite-containing BACs and their physical mapping in Gossypium hirsutum L.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone as probe, is a reliable cytological technique for chromosome identification. It has been used in many plants, especially in those containing numerous small chromosomes. We previously developed eight chromosome-specific BAC clones from tetraploid cotton, which were used as excellent cytological markers for chromosomes identification. Here, we isolated the other chromosome-specific BAC clones to make a complete set for the identification of all 26 chromosome-pairs by this technology in tetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This set of BAC markers was demonstrated to be useful to assign each chromosome to a genetic linkage group unambiguously. In addition, these BAC clones also served as convenient and reliable landmarks for establishing physical linkage with unknown targeted sequences. Moreover, one BAC containing an EST, with high sequence similarity to a G. hirsutum ethylene-responsive element-binding factor was located physically on the long arm of chromosome A7 with the help of a chromosome-A7-specific BAC FISH marker. Comparative analysis of physical marker positions in the chromosomes by BAC-FISH and genetic linkage maps demonstrated that most of the 26 BAC clones were localized close to or at the ends of their respective chromosomes, and indicated that the recombination active regions of cotton chromosomes are primarily located in the distal regions. This technology also enables us to make associations between chromosomes and their genetic linkage groups and re-assign each chromosome according to the corresponding genetic linkage group. This BAC clones and BAC-FISH technology will be useful for us to evaluate grossly the degree to which a linkage map provides adequate coverage for developing a saturated genetic map, and provides a powerful resource for cotton genomic researches.     

Identification of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) chromosomes using the BAC‐FISH system

• Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.; Pedaliaceae) is a commercially valuable oilseed crop with high oil content. Its small genome size favours the genomic analysis of key biological processes, such as oil synthesis and metabolism. However, the 13 chromosome pairs of sesame have not been characterised because of technological limitations and their small size.
• We constructed a BAC library comprising 57,600 BAC clones for sesame. The estimated genome coverage of the sesame BAC library was 13.8×. The successive double colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) for sesame was established in this study.
• Subsequently, the 13 sesame chromosome pairs were individually differentiated using 17 specific BACs for the first time. The schematic of the sesame chromosome set was drawn according to the chromosome relative length and relative position of the BAC signal. The cytogenetic characteristics of sesame chromosomes were also explored.
• The results provide the technical background required for further cytogenetic map construction, genome assembly and localisation of the DNA sequence in sesame.

     

Construction of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of Endoclita excrescens as a tool for comparative gene mapping in Lepidoptera

Karyotype evolution in one of the most diverse and species‐rich group of insects, moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), has interesting features that remain to be resolved. Recent studies showed that fluorescence in situ hybridization using bacterial artificial chromosome clones (BAC‐FISH) is an efficient cytogenetic method for identification and gene mapping of lepidopteran chromosomes. Using comparative mapping by BAC‐FISH, extensive synteny of genes was revealed between chromosomes of different lepidopteran species based on Bombyx mori genomic information. However, this comparative mapping has been done only in representatives of advanced groups of Lepidoptera. Here we constructed a BAC library of Endoclita excrescens, which belongs to the primitive lepidopteran family Hepialidae. High molecular weight DNA for the library construction was prepared from the pupae by using a rapid nuclear isolation method known in plants. The BAC clones of E. excrescens contain 66.6 kb inserts on average. The successful application of BAC‐FISH showed that the BAC library of E. excrescens is a useful tool for comparative gene mapping on chromosomes of this species.     

FISH identification of Helicoverpa armigera and Mamestra brassicae chromosomes by BAC and fosmid probes

Since the Bombyx mori genome sequence was published, conserved synteny between B. mori and some other lepidopteran species has been revealed by either FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) with BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) probes or linkage analysis. However, no species belonging to the Noctuidae, the largest lepidopteran family which includes serious polyphagous pests, has been analyzed so far with respect to genome-wide conserved synteny and gene order. For that purpose, we selected the noctuid species Helicoverpa armigera and Mamestra brassicae, both with n = 31 chromosomes. Gene-defined fosmid clones from M. brassicae and BAC clones from a closely related species of H. armigera, Heliothis virescens, were used for a FISH analysis on pachytene chromosomes. We recognized all H. armigera chromosomes from specific cross-hybridization signals of 146 BAC probes. With 100 fosmid clones we identified and characterized all 31 bivalents of M. brassicae. Synteny and gene order were well conserved between the two noctuid species. The comparison with the model species B. mori (n = 28) showed the same phenomenon for 25 of the 28 chromosomes. Three chromosomes (#11, #23 and #24) had two counterparts each in H. armigera and M. brassicae. Since n = 31 is the modal chromosome number in Lepidoptera, the noctuid chromosomes probably represent an ancestral genome organization of Lepidoptera. This is the first identification of a full karyotype in Lepidoptera by means of BAC cross-hybridization between species. The technique shows the potential to expand the range of analyzed species efficiently.     

FISH on avian lampbrush chromosomes produces higher resolution gene mapping

Giant lampbrush chromosomes, which are characteristic of the diplotene stage of prophase I during avian oogenesis, represent a very promising system for precise physical gene mapping. We applied 35 chicken BAC and 4 PAC clones to both mitotic metaphase chromosomes and meiotic lampbrush chromosomes of chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping on lampbrush chromosomes allowed us to distinguish closely located probes and revealed gene order more precisely. Our data extended the data earlier obtained using FISH to chicken and quail metaphase chromosomes 1–6 and Z. Extremely low levels of inter- and intra-chromosomal rearrangements in the chicken and Japanese quail were demonstrated again. Moreover, we did not confirm the presence of a pericentric inversion in Japanese quail chromosome 4 as compared to chicken chromosome 4. Twelve BAC clones specific for chicken chromosome 4p and 4q showed the same order in quail as in chicken when FISH was performed on lampbrush chromosomes. The centromeres of chicken and quail chromosomes 4 seem to have formed independently after centric fusion of ancestral chromosome 4 and a microchromosome.     

Prins and C-PRINS: Promising tools for the physical mapping of the lupin genome

Two molecular cytogenetics methods, PRINS (primed in situ DNA labeling) and C-PRINS (cycling PRINS), were optimized for the physical mapping of several types of DNA sequences on the mitotic chromosomes of the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). The fragment of the FokI element from Vicia faba was localised by indirect PRINS reaction. Two other sequences, fragments of the coding sequences of L. luteus and of L. angustifolius, were localised by indirect C-PRINS. These techniques are faster and more sensitive than FISH, and they allowed the mapping of short DNA fragments. The data obtained shows that both types of PRINS are valuable tools for chromosome identification in lupin.     

Construction of a cytogenetically anchored microsatellite map in rabbit

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) represents a valuable source of biomedical models and corresponds to a small but active economic sector in Europe for meat and fur. The rabbit genome has not been thoroughly studied until recently, and high-resolution maps necessary for identification of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) are not yet available. Our aim was to isolate over 300 new and regularly distributed (TG)n or (TC)n rabbit microsatellites. To achieve this purpose, 164 microsatellite sequences were isolated from gene-containing bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones previously localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on all the rabbit chromosomes. In addition, 141 microsatellite sequences were subcloned from a plasmid genomic library, and for 41 of these sequences, BAC clones were identified and FISH-mapped. TC repeats were present in 62% of the microsatellites derived from gene-containing BAC clones and in 22% of those from the plasmid genomic library, with an average of 42.9% irrespective of the microsatellite origin. These results suggest a higher proportion of (TC)n repeats and a nonhomogeneous distribution of (TG)n and (TC)n repeats in the rabbit genome compared to those in man. Among the 305 isolated microsatellites, 177 were assigned to 139 different cytogenetic positions on all the chromosomes except rabbit Chromosome 21. Sequence similarity searches provided hit locations on the Human Build 35a and hypothetical assignments on rabbit chromosomes for ten additional microsatellites. Taken together, these results report a reservoir of 305 new rabbit microsatellites of which 60% have a cytogenetic position. This is the first step toward the construction of an integrated cytogenetic and genetic map based on microsatellites homogeneously anchored to the rabbit genome.     

Consolidation of the genetic and cytogenetic maps of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) using FISH with BAC clones

Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) have been widely used for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping of chromosome landmarks in different organisms, including a few in teleosts. In this study, we used BAC-FISH to consolidate the previous genetic and cytogenetic maps of the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a commercially important pleuronectiform. The maps consisted of 24 linkage groups (LGs) but only 22 chromosomes. All turbot LGs were assigned to specific chromosomes using BAC probes obtained from a turbot 5× genomic BAC library. It consisted of 46,080 clones with inserts of at least 100 kb and <5 % empty vectors. These BAC probes contained gene-derived or anonymous markers, most of them linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to productive traits. BAC clones were mapped by FISH to unique marker-specific chromosomal positions, which showed a notable concordance with previous genetic mapping data. The two metacentric pairs were cytogenetically assigned to LG2 and LG16, and the nucleolar organizer region (NOR)-bearing pair was assigned to LG15. Double-color FISH assays enabled the consolidation of the turbot genetic map into 22 linkage groups by merging LG8 with LG18 and LG21 with LG24. In this work, a first-generation probe panel of BAC clones anchored to the turbot linkage and cytogenetical map was developed. It is a useful tool for chromosome traceability in turbot, but also relevant in the context of pleuronectiform karyotypes, which often show small hardly identifiable chromosomes. This panel will also be valuable for further integrative genomics of turbot within Pleuronectiformes and teleosts, especially for fine QTL mapping for aquaculture traits, comparative genomics, and whole-genome assembly.     

The bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

The narrow-leafed lupin possesses valuable traits for environment-friendly agriculture and for the production of unconventional agricultural products. Despite various genetic and environmental studies, the breeding of improved cultivars has been slow due to the limited knowledge of its genomic structure. Further advances in genomics require, among other things, the availability of a genomic DNA library with large inserts. We report here on the construction of the first DNA library cloned in a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) vector from diploid Lupinus angustifolius L. cv. Sonet. The high molecular weight DNA used for its preparation was isolated from interphase nuclei that were purified by flow cytometry. The library comprises 55,296 clones and is ordered in 144×384-well microtitre plates. With an average insert size of 100 kb, the library represents six haploid genome equivalents. Thanks to the purification of the nuclei by flow cytometry, contamination with chloroplast DNA and mitochondrial DNA was negligible. The availability of a BAC library opens avenues for the development of a physical contig map and positional gene cloning, as well as for the analysis of the plant’s genome structure and evolution.     

A sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) reference FISH karyotype for chromosome and chromosome‐arm identification,integration of genetic linkage groups and analysis of major repeat family distribution

We developed a reference karyotype for B. vulgaris which is applicable to all beet cultivars and provides a consistent numbering of chromosomes and genetic linkage groups. Linkage groups of sugar beet were assigned to physical chromosome arms by FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) using a set of 18 genetically anchored BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) markers. Genetic maps of sugar beet were correlated to chromosome arms, and North–South orientation of linkage groups was established. The FISH karyotype provides a technical platform for genome studies and can be applied for numbering and identification of chromosomes in related wild beet species. The discrimination of all nine chromosomes by BAC probes enabled the study of chromosome‐specific distribution of the major repetitive components of sugar beet genome comprising pericentromeric, intercalary and subtelomeric satellites and 18S‐5.8S‐25S and 5S rRNA gene arrays. We developed a multicolor FISH procedure allowing the identification of all nine sugar beet chromosome pairs in a single hybridization using a pool of satellite DNA probes. Fiber‐FISH was applied to analyse five chromosome arms in which the furthermost genetic marker of the linkage group was mapped adjacently to terminal repetitive sequences on pachytene chromosomes. Only on two arms telomere arrays and the markers are physically linked, hence these linkage groups can be considered as terminally closed making the further identification of distal informative markers difficult. The results support genetic mapping by marker localization, the anchoring of contigs and scaffolds for the annotation of the sugar beet genome sequence and the analysis of the chromosomal distribution patterns of major families of repetitive DNA.     

Complete assignment of the chromosomes of Gossypium hirsutum L. by translocation and fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping

Significant progress has been made in the construction of genetic maps in the tetraploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum. However, six linkage groups (LGs) have still not been assigned to specific chromosomes, which is a hindrance for integrated genetic map construction. In the present research, specific bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones constructed in G. hirsutum acc. TM-1 for these six LGs were identified by screening the BAC library using linkage group-specific simple-sequence repeats markers. These BAC clones were hybridized to ten translocation heterozygotes of G. hirsutum. L as BAC-fluorescence in situ hybridization probes, which allowed us to assign these six LGs A01, A02, A03, D02, D03, and D08 to chromosomes 13, 8, 11, 21, 24, and 19, respectively. Therefore, the 13 homeologous chromosome pairs have been established, and we have proposed a new chromosome nomenclature for tetraploid cotton.     

A ‘Chinese Spring’ wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) bacterial artificial chromosome library and its use in the isolation of SSR markers for targeted genome regions

A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed from the bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype ‘Chinese Spring’ (‘CS’). The library consists of 395,136 clones with an estimated average insert size of 157 kb. This library provides an estimated 3.4-fold genome coverage for this hexaploid species. The genome coverage was confirmed by RFLP analysis of single-copy RFLP clones. The CS BAC library was used to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for targeted genome regions using five sequence-tagged-site (STS) markers designed from the chromosome arm of 3BS. The SSR markers for the targeted genome region were successfully obtained. However, similar numbers of new SSR markers were also generated for the other two homoeologous group 3 chromosomes. This data suggests that BAC clones belonging to all three chromosomes of homoeologous group 3 were isolated using the five STS primers. The potential impacts of these results on marker isolation in wheat and on library screening in general are discussed.     

An integrated map of Oryza sativa L. chromosome 5

The developments of molecular marker-based genetic linkage maps are now routine. Physical maps based on contigs of large insert genomic clones have been established in several plant species. However, integration of genetic, physical, and cytological maps is still a challenge for most plant species. Here we present an integrated map of rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosome 5, developed by fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping of 18 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones or PI-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clones on meiotic pachytene chromosomes. Each BAC/PAC clone was anchored by a restriction fragment length polymorphism marker mapped to the rice genetic linkage map. This molecular cytogenetic map shows the genetic recombination and sequence information of a physical map, correlated to the cytological features of rice chromosome 5. Detailed comparisons of the distances between markers on genetic, cytological, and physical maps, revealed the distributions of recombination events and molecular organization of the chromosomal features of rice chromosome 5 at the pachytene stage. Discordance of distances between the markers was found among the different maps. Our results revealed that neither the recombination events nor the degree of chromatin condensation were evenly distributed along the entire length of chromosome 5. Detailed comparisons of the correlative positions of markers on the genetic, cytological, and physical maps of rice chromosome 5 provide insight into the molecular architecture of rice chromosome 5, in relation to its cytological features and recombination events on the genetic map. The prospective applications of such an integrated cytogenetic map are discussed.     

Cytogenetics for the model system Arabidopsis thaliana

A detailed karyotype of Arabidopsis thaliana is presented using meiotic pachytene cells in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization. The lengths of the five pachytene bivalents varied between 50 and 80 μm, which is 20–25 times longer than mitotic metaphase chromosomes. The analysis confirms that the two longest chromosomes (1 and 5) are metacentric and the two shortest chromosomes (2 and 4) are acrocentric and carry NORs subterminally in their short arms, while chromosome 3 is submetacentric and medium sized. Detailed mapping of the centromere position further revealed that the length variation between the pachytene bivalents comes from the short arms. Individual chromosomes were unambiguously identified by their combinations of relative lengths, arm-ratios, presence of NOR knobs and FISH signals with a 5S rDNA probe and chromosome specific DNA probes. Polymorphisms were found among six ecotypes with respect to the number and map positions of 5S rDNA loci. All ecotypes contain 5S rDNA in the short arms of chromosomes 4 and 5. Three different patterns were observed regarding the presence and position of a 5S rDNA locus on chromosome 3. Repetitive DNA clones enabled us to subdivide the pericentromeric heterochromatin into a central domain, characterized by pAL1 and 106B repeats, which accommodate the functional centromere and two flanking domains, characterized by the 17 A20 repeat sequences. The upper flanking domains of chromosomes 4 and 5, and in some ecotypes also chromosome 3, contain a 5S rDNA locus. The detection of unique cosmids and YAC sequences demonstrates that detailed physical mapping of Arabidopsis chromosomes by cytogenetic techniques is feasible. Together with the presented karyotype this makes Arabidopsis a model system for detailed cytogenetic mapping.     

Construction of BAC and BIBAC libraries from sunflower and identification of linkage group-specific clones by overgo hybridization

Complementary BAC and BIBAC libraries were constructed from nuclear DNA of sunflower cultivar HA 89. The BAC library, constructed with BamHI in the pECBAC1 vector, contains 107,136 clones and has an average insert size of 140 kb. The BIBAC library was constructed with HindIII in the plant-transformation-competent binary vector pCLD04541 and contains 84,864 clones, with an average insert size of 137 kb. The two libraries combined contain 192,000 clones and are equivalent to approximately 8.9 haploid genomes of sunflower (3,000 Mb/1C), and provide a greater than 99% probability of obtaining a clone of interest. The frequencies of BAC and BIBAC clones carrying chloroplast or mitochondrial DNA sequences were estimated to be 2.35 and 0.04%, respectively, and insert-empty clones were less than 0.5%. To facilitate chromosome engineering and anchor the sunflower genetic map to its chromosomes, one to three single- or low-copy RFLP markers from each linkage group of sunflower were used to design pairs of overlapping oligonucleotides (overgos). Thirty-six overgos were designed and pooled as probes to screen a subset (5.1×) of the BAC and BIBAC libraries. Of the 36 overgos, 33 (92%) gave at least one positive clone and 3 (8%) failed to hit any clone. As a result, 195 BAC and BIBAC clones representing 19 linkage groups were identified, including 76 BAC clones and 119 BIBAC clones, further verifying the genome coverage and utility of the libraries. These BAC and BIBAC libraries and linkage group-specific clones provide resources essential for comprehensive research of the sunflower genome.     

Development and applications of a set of chromosome-specific cytogenetic DNA markers in potato

Reliable and easy to use techniques for chromosome identification are critical for many aspects of cytogenetic research. Unfortunately, such techniques are not available in many plant species, especially those with a large number of small chromosomes. Here we demonstrate that fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals derived from bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) can be used as chromosome-specific cytogenetic DNA markers for chromosome identification in potato. We screened a potato BAC library using genetically mapped restriction fragment length polymorphism markers as probes. The identified BAC clones were then labeled as probes for FISH analysis. A set of 12 chromosome-specific BAC clones were isolated and the FISH signals derived from these BAC clones serve as convenient and reliable cytological markers for potato chromosome identification. We mapped the 5S rRNA genes, the 45S rRNA genes, and a potato late blight resistance gene to three specific potato chromosomes using the chromosome-specific BAC clones. Received: 19 January 2000 / Accepted: 27 March 2000