Tightly linked di- and tri-nucleotide microsatellites do not evolve in complete independence: evidence from linked (TA)n and (TAA)n microsatellites of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to understand the dynamics of microsatellite evolution, we have studied allelic variation at a closely linked (TA) _n and (TAA) _n microsatellite loci in 114 land races of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), sampled worldwide. These two loci are separated by 27 bp. The two loci showed a very high degree of polymorphism and hence the combined length with the genetic diversity of 0.93, 0.90 and 0.98 for (TAA) _n , (TA) _n and the combined length, respectively. Using the variation data at the linked loci, a standardized index of linkage disequilibrium was also computed (I ^S _A =0.092), which tests the null hypothesis of no linkage and was significant, indicating the presence of linkage disequilibrium. Furthermore, the dynamics of allelic variation showed that there is a threshold combined length, below which both (TAA) _n and (TA) _n loci evolve independently, and above which, if one locus increase in size, the other closely linked locus has a tendency to decrease its size and vice versa, without change in the overall ratio of (TAA) _n and (TA) _n allele sizes at the region. This result indicates that there are processes in the cell, which read the combined size of the two loci both for proportion and length and determine the direction of tightly linked di- and tri-nucleotide repeat evolution.Communicated by R. Hagemann     

Multiple levels of single-strand slippage at cetacean tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite loci.

Between three and six tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite loci were analyzed in 3720 samples collected from four different species of baleen whales. Ten of the 18 species/locus combinations had imperfect allele arrays, i.e., some alleles differed in length by other than simple integer multiples of the basic repeat length. The estimate of the average number of alleles and heterozygosity was higher at loci with imperfect allele arrays relative to those with perfect allele arrays. Nucleotide sequences of 23 different alleles at one tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite locus in fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus, and humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, revealed sequence changes including perfect repeats only, multiple repeats, and partial repeats. The relative rate of the latter two categories of mutation was estimated at 0.024 of the mutation rate involving perfect repeats only. It is hypothesized that single-strand slippage of partial repeats may provide a mechanism for counteracting the continuous expansion of microsatellite loci, which is the logical consequence of recent reports demonstrating directional mutations. Partial-repeat mutations introduce imperfections in the repeat array, which subsequently could reduce the rate of single-strand slippage. Limited computer simulations confirmed this predicted effect of partial-repeat mutations.     

Microsatellite allele frequencies in humans and chimpanzees, with implications for constraints on allele size

The distributions of allele sizes at eight simple-sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite loci in chimpanzees are found and compared with the distributions previously obtained from several human populations. At several loci, the differences in average allele size between chimpanzees and humans are sufficiently small that there might be a constraint on the evolution of average allele size. Furthermore, a model that allows for a bias in the mutation process shows that for some loci a weak bias can account for the observations. Several alleles at one of the loci (Mfd 59) were sequenced. Differences between alleles of different lengths were found to be more complex than previously assumed. An 8-base-pair deletion was present in the nonvariable region of the chimpanzee locus. This locus contains a previously unrecognized repeated region, which is imperfect in humans and perfect in chimpanzees. The apparently greater opportunity for mutation conferred by the two perfect repeat regions in chimpanzees is reflected in the higher variance in repeat number at Mfd 59 in chimpanzees than in humans. These data indicate that interspecific differences in allele length are not always attributable to simple changes in the number of repeats.      

Evidence for complex mutations at microsatellite loci in Drosophila.

Fifteen lines each of Drosophila melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. sechellia were scored for 19 microsatellite loci. One to four alleles of each locus in each species were sequenced, and microsatellite variability was compared with sequence structure. Only 7 loci had their size variation among species consistent with the occurrence of strictly stepwise mutations in the repeat array, the others showing extensive variability in the flanking region compared to that within the microsatellite itself. Polymorphisms apparently resulting from complex nonstepwise mutations involving the microsatellite were also observed, both within and between species. Maximum number of perfect repeats and variance of repeat count were found to be strongly correlated in microsatellites showing an apparently stepwise mutation pattern. These data indicate that many microsatellite mutation events are more complex than represented even by generalized stepwise mutation models. Care should therefore be taken in inferring population or phylogenetic relationships from microsatellite size data alone. The analysis also indicates, however, that evaluation of sequence structure may allow selection of microsatellites that more closely match the assumptions of stepwise models.     

Microsatellite DNA markers in Populus tremuloides.

Markers for eight new microsatellite DNA or simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were developed and characterized in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) from a partial genomic library. Informativeness of these microsatellite DNA markers was examined by determining polymorphisms in 38 P. tremuloides individuals. Inheritance of selected markers was tested in progenies of controlled crosses. Six characterized SSR loci were of dinucleotide repeats (two perfect and four imperfect), and one each of trinucleotide and tetranucleotide repeats. The monomorphic SSR locus (PTR15) was of a compound imperfect dinucleotide repeat. The primers of one highly polymorphic SSR locus (PTR7) amplified two loci, and alleles could not be assigned to a specific locus. At the other six polymorphic loci, 25 alleles were detected in 38 P. tremuloides individuals; the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 7, with an average of 4.2 alleles per locus, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.05 to 0.61, with an average of 0.36 per locus. The two perfect dinucleotide and one trinucleotide microsatellite DNA loci were the most informative. Microsatellite DNA variants of four SSR loci characterized previously followed a single-locus Mendelian inheritance pattern, whereas those of PTR7 from the present study showed a two-locus Mendelian inheritance pattern in controlled crosses. The microsatellite DNA markers developed and reported here could be used for assisting various genetic, breeding, biotechnology, genome mapping, conservation, and sustainable forest management programs in poplars.     

鲤鱼微卫星突变速率和模式(英文)

利用150个微卫星分子标记在F1代家系的基因型分析过程中,共有27600个等位基因从亲本向子代传递,其中在5个微卫星座位上检测到6个突变的等位基因。对突变的等位基因数目进行统计分析后得出:鲤鱼平均每个世代每个微卫星座位的突变速率为2.53×10-4。在发现突变的5个位点中,经测序发现,突变序列中插入1个以上的重复单元就导致了突变的发生。这些突变表明,鲤鱼的微卫星突变没有遵循严格的渐变突变模型(stepwise mutation model,SMM)。该文关于鲤鱼微卫星突变速率和模式的研究将会对统计鲤鱼有效群体的统计提供有效参数。     

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci for the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

We describe the cloning and characterization of nine microsatellite loci from the northern leopard frog. Seven loci consist of tetranucleotide repeats, one locus consists of a dinucleotide repeat and one locus consists of a GT repeat juxtaposed with a GATA repeat. In a sample of 36 frogs from a natural population, polymorphism at these loci ranged from two to 13 alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.5 to 0.91. These loci will be useful to researchers since this species is used for a broad range of studies.     

MICROSATELLITE EVOLUTION IN VERTEBRATES: INFERENCE FROM AC DINUCLEOTIDE REPEATS

Abstract We analyze published data from 592 AC microsatellite loci from 98 species in five vertebrate classes including fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. We use these data to address nine major questions about microsatellite evolution. First, we find that larger genomes do not have more microsatellite loci and therefore reject the hypothesis that microsatellites function primarily to package DNA into chromosomes. Second, we confirm that microsatellite loci are relatively rare in avian genomes, but reject the hypothesis that this is due to physical constraints imposed by flight. Third, we find that microsatellite variation differs among species within classes, possibly relating to population dynamics. Fourth, we reject the hypothesis that microsatellite structure (length, number of alleles, allele dispersion, range in allele sizes) differs between poikilotherms and homeotherms. The difference is found only in fish, which have longer microsatellites and more alleles than the other classes. Fifth, we find that the range in microsatellite allele size at a locus is largely due to the number of alleles and secondarily to allele dispersion. Sixth, length is a major factor influencing mutation rate. Seventh, there is a directional mutation toward an increase in microsatellite length. Eighth, at the species level, microsatellite and allozyme heterozygosity covary and therefore inferences based on large-scale studies of allozyme variation may also reflect microsatellite genetic diversity. Finally, published microsatellite loci (isolated using conventional hybridization methods) provide a biased estimate of the actual mean repeat length of microsatellites in the genome.     

Hitchhiking and associative overdominance at a microsatellite locus

The possible effects of a selected locus on a closely linked microsatellite locus are discussed and analyzed in terms of coalescent theory and models of the mutation process. Background selection caused by recurrent deleterious mutations will reduce the variance of allele size at a microsatellite locus. The occasional substitution of advantageous alleles (genetic hitchhiking) will also reduce the variance, but a high mutation rate at a microsatellite locus can restore the variance relatively rapidly. Overdominance at the selected locus will increase the variance at the microsatellite locus and create partitioning of the variation in allele size among gametes carrying one or the other of the overdominant alleles. These results suggest that neutral microsatellite loci can provide indicators of selective processes at closely linked loci.      

Population genetics of dinucleotide (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT)n polymorphisms in world populations.

We have characterized eight dinucleotide (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT)n repeat loci located on human chromosome 13q in eight human populations and in a sample of chimpanzees. Even though there is substantial variation in allele frequencies at each locus, at a given locus the most frequent alleles are shared by all human populations. The level of heterozygosity is reduced in isolated or small populations, such as the Pehuenche Indians of Chile, the Dogrib of Canada, and the New Guinea highlanders. On the other hand, larger average heterozygosities are observed in large and cosmopolitan populations, such as the Sokoto population from Nigeria and German Caucasians. Conformity with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is generally observed at these loci, unless (a) a population is isolated or small or (b) the repeat motif of the locus is not perfect (e.g., D13S197). Multilocus genotype probabilities at these microsatellite loci do not show departure from the independence rule, unless the loci are closely linked. The allele size distributions at these (CA)n loci do not follow a strict single-step stepwise-mutation model. However, this features does not compromise the ability to detect population affinities, when these loci are used simultaneously. The microsatellite loci examined here are present and, with the exception of the locus D13S197, are polymorphic in the chimpanzees, showing an overlapping distribution of allele sizes with those observed in human populations.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers for Begonia sutherlandii Hook. f.

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci have been characterized for investigating population structure in the patchily distributed herb Begonia sutherlandii. Two loci (BSU3 and BSU4) exhibited population specific null alleles; primer redesign and allele sequencing for one of these loci showed two transition mutations in the original primer site. Two loci exhibited imperfect repeat polymorphisms due to single base pair indels in the flanking region (locus BSU6) and in the microsatellite region itself (BSU7). Transversion mutations were also found in the microsatellite region of locus BSU7. The remaining three loci amplified in all individuals tested and appeared to conform to a simple stepwise mutation pattern.     

The mutation rates of di-, tri- and tetranucleotide repeats in Drosophila melanogaster

In a recent study, we reported that the combined average mutation rate of 10 di-, 6 tri-, and 8 tetranucleotide repeats in Drosophila melanogaster was 6.3 x 10(-6) mutations per locus per generation, a rate substantially below that of microsatellite repeat units in mammals studied to date (range = 10(-2)-10(-5) per locus per generation). To obtain a more precise estimate of mutation rate for dinucleotide repeat motifs alone, we assayed 39 new dinucleotide repeat microsatellite loci in the mutation accumulation lines from our earlier study. Our estimate of mutation rate for a total of 49 dinucleotide repeats is 9.3 x 10(-6) per locus per generation, only slightly higher than the estimate from our earlier study. We also estimated the relative difference in microsatellite mutation rate among di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeats in the genome of D. melanogaster using a method based on population variation, and we found that tri- and tetranucleotide repeats mutate at rates 6.4 and 8.4 times slower than that of dinucleotide repeats, respectively. The slower mutation rates of tri- and tetranucleotide repeats appear to be associated with a relatively short repeat unit length of these repeat motifs in the genome of D. melanogaster. A positive correlation between repeat unit length and allelic variation suggests that mutation rate increases as the repeat unit lengths of microsatellites increase.      

两个镜鲤半同胞家系的遗传多样性及经济性状分析

在两个镜鲤半同胞家系中,各随机选取47尾作为实验鱼,测量体重、体长、全长等数量性状,利用24个微卫星分子标记对其进行遗传检测,共检测到57个等位基因,每个基因座的等位基因数为1－6个不等,平均等位基因3.21个,片段长度在134－371bp之间,有效等位基因数Ne为1.00－2.89, 平均观察杂合度Ho为0.00－0.83,平均期望杂合度He为0.00－0.66,平均多态信息含量PIC为0.00－0.58。结果表明：2个家系的遗传多样性处于中度水平,但连锁不平衡分析表明这两个家系在较大的选择压力下,已严重偏离Hardy-Wenberg平衡。利用SPSS程序下的GLM过程对24个微卫星位点与主要经济性状的相关性进行分析,结果发现：HLJ519,HLJ848、HLJ855、HLJE8 4个微卫星位点对镜鲤体重显著影响(p<0.05),其中,位点HLJ519,HLJ848、HLJ855还对体长和全长存在显著影响(p<0.05)。对这些位点基因型所对应的表型均值进行了多重比较,找到了一些对主要经济性状有利的基因型。     

Polymorphic microsatellite and cryptic simple repeat sequence markers in pineapples (Ananas comosus var. comosus)

A rapid method for isolating microsatellite loci in pineapples, based on the 5′‐anchored polymerase chain reaction technique, revealed 137 microsatellite loci (consisting of 62 dinucleotide, 24 trinucleotide, 49 tetranucleotide and 2 hexanucleotide repeats) and 16 cryptically simple repeat sequences. We report on the characterization of 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci and one cryptic simple repeat loci in pineapples. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to four while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.1705 to 1. These markers are useful as tools for detecting levels of genetic variation in pineapple varieties for germplasm management and crossbreeding purposes.     

Comparative analysis of microsatellite loci in chicken and turkey.

Cross-species amplification of 520 chicken microsatellite markers was tested by polymerase chain reaction with genomic DNA of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Each primer pair was tested at six different combinations of annealing temperature and MgCl2 concentration. A total of 280 (54%) of the primer pairs produced amplification products. The majority of these products were similar, if not identical in size to those expected based on the fragment sizes of the corresponding chicken loci. Structure of the dinucleotide repeat and flanking sequences was examined for 13 turkey fragments (amplified with chicken primers) and 5 chicken fragments (amplified with turkey primers). Sequence analysis found a wide array of mutations between species in addition to differences in repeat length. To estimate the usefulness of the amplified loci for genetic mapping in the turkey, allelic polymorphism was determined for 57 of the 280 amplified loci. A total of 20 of 57 markers (35%) were polymorphic with an average of 1.4 alleles per locus. The results of this study suggest that approximately 20% of the chicken microsatellite markers will be useful for mapping the turkey genome.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 highly polymorphic di- and trinucleotide microsatellite markers in the mayfly Ameletus inopinatus (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae)

We describe the isolation of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci from the mayfly Ameletus inopinatus. Loci had di‐ or trinucleotide repeat motifs and were highly variable with three to 17 alleles (mean = 7.15). Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.143 to 0.905. One locus (Ami_202) showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in one population, but no evidence for null alleles. One locus (Ami_73) was significantly linked with three other loci. The remaining nine loci should prove highly informative for population genetic studies.     

雌核发育银鲫微卫星突变速率和突变模式

银鲫是天然雌核发育的三倍体两性型种群, 因其遗传背景和生殖方式的特殊性, 已经成为研究单性和多倍体脊椎动物进化遗传学的理想模式鱼类。利用33个微卫星序列对雌核发育银鲫的突变速率和突变模式进行研究, 结果表明: (1) 22个子代个体中, 检测到1尾个体在15个微卫星位点具有18个突变等位基因; (2) 每个微卫星位点每代总体平均突变率是1.16×10-2, 95%置信区间是6.87×10-3~1.83×10-2, 与其他鱼类相比, 雌核发育银鲫的突变率明显偏高, 这与天然雌核发育鱼类处在单性生殖和两性生殖的过度阶段有密切关系; (3) 具有突变等位基因的13个位点的重复单元数目都在10次以上, 11个复合型微卫星位点的突变率(1.31×10-2)与21个完美型位点(1.00×10-2)的突变率没有明显差异(P = 0.67), 微卫星突变率受到重复单元数目的影响, 然而与重复结构类型和侧翼序列GC碱基含量无相关性; (4) 序列分析表明, 雌核发育银鲫的微卫星突变模式并不严格遵守逐步突变模型。     

Genetic Variation of Microsatellite Loci in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Region in the Southeast Asian House Mouse (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mus musculus castaneus</Emphasis>)

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are the most polymorphic loci known for vertebrates. Here we employed five microsatellite loci closely linked to the MHC region in an attempt to study the amount of genetic variation in 19 populations of the southeast Asian house mouse (Mus musculus castaneus) in Taiwan. The overall polymorphism at the five loci was high (H_e = 0.713), and the level of polymorphism varied from locus to locus. Furthermore, in order to investigate if selection is operating on MHC genes in natural mouse populations, we compared the extent and pattern of genetic variation for the MHC-linked microsatellite loci (the MHC loci) with those for the microsatellite loci located outside the MHC region (the non-MHC loci). The number of alleles and the logarithm of variance in repeat number were significantly higher for the MHC loci than for the non-MHC loci, presumably reflecting linkage to a locus under balancing selection. Although three statistical tests used do not provide support for selection, their lack of support may be due to low statistical power of the tests, to weakness of selection, or to a profound effect of genetic drift reducing the signature of balancing selection. Our results also suggested that the populations in the central and the southwestern regions of Taiwan might be one part of a metapopulation structure.     

Allele Frequencies at Microsatellite Loci: The Stepwise Mutation Model Revisited

We summarize available data on the frequencies of alleles at microsatellite loci in human populations and compare observed distributions of allele frequencies to those generated by a simulation of the stepwise mutation model. We show that observed frequency distributions at 108 loci are consistent with the results of the model under the assumption that mutations cause an increase or decrease in repeat number by one and under the condition that the product Nu, where N is the effective population size and u is the mutation rate, is larger than one. We show that the variance of the distribution of allele sizes is a useful estimator of Nu and performs much better than previously suggested estimators for the stepwise mutation model. In the data, there is no correlation between the mean and variance in allele size at a locus or between the number of alleles and mean allele size, which suggests that the mutation rate at these loci is independent of allele size.     

A microsatellite-based genetic linkage map for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Microsatellite loci were identified in channel catfish gene sequences or random clones from a small insert genomic DNA library. Outbred populations of channel catfish contained an average of eight alleles per locus and an average heterozygosity of 0.70. A genetic linkage map of the channel catfish genome (N = 29) was constructed from two reference families. A total of 293 microsatellite loci were polymorphic in one or both families, with an average of 171 informative meioses per locus. Nineteen type I loci, 243 type II loci, and one EST were placed in 32 multipoint linkage groups covering 1958 cM. Nine more type II loci were contained in three two-point linkage groups covering 24.5 cM. Twenty-two type II loci remained unlinked. Multipoint linkage groups ranged in size from 11.9 to 110.5 cM with an average intermarker distance of 8.7 cM. Seven microsatellite loci were closely linked with the sex-determining locus. The microsatellite loci and genetic linkage map will increase the efficiency of selective breeding programs for channel catfish.