Development and characterisation of 140 new microsatellites in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

The availability of suitable genetic markers is essential to efficiently select and breed apple varieties of high quality and with multiple disease resistances. Microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSR) are very useful in this respect since they are codominant, highly polymorphic, abundant and reliably reproducible. Over 140 new SSR markers have been developed in apple and tested on a panel of 7 cultivars and 1 breeding selection. Their high level of polymorphism is expressed with an average of 6.1 alleles per locus and an average heterozygosity (H) of 0.74. Of all SSR markers, 115 have been positioned on a genetic linkage map of the cross Fiesta × Discovery. As a result, all 17 linkage groups, corresponding to the 17 chromosomes of apple, were identified. Each chromosome carries at least two SSR markers, allowing the alignment of any apple molecular marker map both with regard to identification as well as to orientation of the linkage groups. To test the degree of conservation of the SSR flanking regions and the transferability of the SSR markers to other Rosaceae species, 15 primer pairs were tested on a series of Maloideae and Amygdaloideae species. The usefulness of the newly developed microsatellites in genetic mapping is demonstrated by means of the genetic linkage map. The possibility of constructing a global apple linkage map and the impact of such a number of microsatellite markers on gene and QTL mapping is discussed.     

DNA fingerprinting based on microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphisms,and isolation of sequence-specific PCR markers in lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

We report a method of microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphisms for DNA fingerprinting. The method combines the concept of AFLP and the microsatellite-anchor primer technique. Genomic DNA was digested by one restriction enzyme MseI. One AFLP adaptor (MseI adaptor) was ligated onto the restriction fragments. DNA fingerprints were produced by PCR using one microsatellite-anchor primer in combination with one MseI-primer. The method allows co-amplification of over 100 DNA fragments containing microsatellite motifs per PCR. Polymorphisms detected from lupin by this method included those arising from variation in the number of microsatellite repeat units targeted by the microsatellite-anchor primers, from variation on the annealing sites for the SSR-anchor primers, from insertions/deletions outside the SSR region, and from variation in restriction sites. The first three types of polymorphisms were readily converted into sequence-specific PCR markers suitable for marker-assisted breeding.     

Characterization and analysis of simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci in seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz)

A size-fractionated TaqI genomic library of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) was screened for the presence of (GA) _n and (CA) _n simple sequence repeats (SSRs). A total of 54 clones with a positive signal were detected among 13,000 clones screened. Forty-seven clones having repeats of n 3 were identified, of which 85% were perfect, 13% were imperfect and 2% were compound repeat sequences. Five of ten primer pairs synthesized to amplify selected loci resulted in a product in the expected size range and were subsequently used to examine SSR polymorphisms among 46 ecotypes of P. vaginatum. The number of alleles resolved on agarose or polyacrylamide gels were similar and ranged from 6 to 16 with an average of 14 per locus. Phenetic analysis of SSR polymorphisms revealed genetic relationships among the P. vaginatum ecotypes that were in general agreement with relationships determined previously by RAPD analysis of the same plant materials. Further screening of the genomic library did not identify (AT) _n , trimeric or tetrameric repeats. Hybridization of an (ATT)₈ oligonucleotide probe to genomic DNA isolated from I. batatas, E. coli, Citrullis lanatus and P. vaginatum suggested that the P. vaginatum genome contained significantly fewer ATT repeats than either the I. batatas or C. lanatus genome.     

中国香菇主栽品种遗传多样性的SSR分析及指纹图谱构建

【目的】香菇(Lentinulaedodes)是世界第二大食用菌,研究我国现有栽培种群体的遗传多样性和遗传构成以及准确鉴定品种是新品种开发和产业健康发展的基础。【方法】采用多态性的SSR(Simple sequence repeat)分子标记对中国历年来使用主栽品种进行遗传多样性及群体结构分析,比较其谱系来源,解析中国主栽品种的群体多样性构成,并构建指纹图谱用于品种鉴定。【结果】24对多态性SSR引物对51份香菇菌株都具有多态性。聚类分析在相似系数0.69处可将栽培种群体分为4个类群,野生种驯化或参与杂交获得的菌株位于类群Ⅲ和Ⅳ,其他菌株位于另外两个类群Ⅰ和Ⅱ。群体结构分析可将栽培群体分为6个遗传构成,显示L808、L135等代表性菌株在各自的构成中参与了其他菌株的选育过程,解释了以其为亲本的部分品种的谱系来源。依据筛选出的9对条带清晰的SSR引物组合构建了多位点SSR指纹图谱,可对45个香菇商业菌种进行辨识。【结论】我国香菇主栽品种亲缘关系较近,育种多围绕L808、L135、9015等核心代表性品种进行,本研究可为选育具有自主知识产权、适应不同栽培模式的新品种提供依据;指纹图谱的构建也能为香菇品种的准确鉴定提供保证。     

番茄栽培品种SSR标记和形态标记的遗传多样性分析

比较了SSR标记和形态标记在研究番茄栽培品种遗传多样性上的应用。用7对SSR引物检测了11个番茄栽培品种的遗传多样性,共得到53条带,每一个位点上扩增出2-9条带,平均为6条;品种间遗传相似系数在0.39-0.84之间,平均遗传相似系数为0.60。根据11个形态学性状表型值计算的遗传相似系数在0.27-0.72之间,平均遗传相似系数0.58。用UPGMA进行聚类分析,SSR标记和形态标记都可依果肉颜色和果实大小将供试材料分组,即黄色和红色果肉,樱桃小番茄和大、中果形的混合型;两种方法对番茄栽培品种遗传多样性的评价相近。     

Survey of plant short tandem DNA repeats

Length variations in simple sequence tandem repeats are being given increased attention in plant genetics. Some short tandem repeats (STRs) from a few plant species, mainly those at the dinucleotide level, have been demonstrated to show polymorphisms and Mendelian inheritance. In the study reported here a search for all of the possible STRs ranging from mononucleotide up to tetranucleotide repeats was carried out on EMBL and GenBank DNA sequence databases of 3026 kb nuclear DNA and 1268 kb organelle DNA in 54 and 28 plant species (plus algae), respectively. An extreme rareness of STRs (4 STRs in 1268 kb DNA) was detected in organelle compared with nuclear DNA sequences. In nuclear DNA sequences, (AT)_n sequences were the most abundant followed by (A)_n · (T)_n, (AG)_n · (CT)_n, (AAT)_n · (ATT)_n, (AAC)_n · (GTT), (AGC)_n · (GCT)_n, (AAG)_n · (CTT)_n, (AATT)_n · (TTAA)_n, (AAAT)_n · (ATTT)_n and (AC)_n · (GT)_n sequences. A total of 130 STRs were found, including 49 (AT)_n sequences in 31 species, giving an average of 1 STR every 23.3 kb and 1 (AT)_n STR every 62 kb. An abundance comparable to that for the dinucleotide repeat was observed for the tri- and tetranucleotide repeats together. On average, there was 1 STR every 64.6 kb DNA in monocotyledons versus 1 every 21.2 kb DNA in dicotyledons. The fraction of STRs that contained G-C basepairs increased as the G+C contents went up from dicotyledons, monocotyledons to algae. While STRs of mono-, di- and tetranucleotide repeats were all located in non coding regions, 57% of the trinucleotide STRs containing G-C basepairs resided in coding regions.     

Microsatellite markers isolated in olive ( Olea europaea L.) are suitable for individual fingerprinting and reveal polymorphism within ancient cultivars

We have isolated and sequenced 52 microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from nearly 60 positive clones obtained from two ’Frantoio’ olive genomic libraries enriched in (AC/GT) and (AG/CT) repeats, respectively. The repeat-containing fragments obtained from genomic DNA restricted with Tsp509I were separated using a biotinylated probe bound to streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads. Fragments were then cloned into lambda ZAPII vector and sequenced. Thirty of the 36 primer pairs which gave correct re-amplification in the source genome were used to assay the polymorphism of 12 olive cultivars, namely four well-known cultivars (’Coratina’, ’Frantoio’, ’Leccino’, ’Pendolino’) and eight ancient cultivars grown locally near Lake Garda (’Casaliva’, ’Favarol’, ’Fort’, ’Grignan’, ’Less’, ’Raza’, ’Rossanel’, ’Trep’). The local cultivars were each re- presented by two to four long-lived individuals. The analysis was carried out using ³³P-labelled primers and 6% polyacrylamide sequencing gels. All except two microsatellites showed polymorphism, the number of alleles varying from 1 to 5. The average genetic diversity (H) was 0.55. The power of discrimination (PD) was 0.60. All cultivars, including the local ones, were easily separated from each other. Variations in the SSR pattern were observed among individual plants of the same cultivar in four out of the eight local cultivars analysed. Several primer pairs (17%) amplified more than one locus. Received: 23 March 2001 / Accepted 17 May 2001     

Development of EST-derived SSR markers using next-generation sequencing to reveal the genetic diversity of 50 chrysanthemum cultivars

Chrysanthemum plants are popular worldwide as cut flowers, potted, and in gardens. Several hundred cultivars have been commercialized, indicating that there is substantial genetic variations that can be manipulated under cultivations to produce a wide array of phenotypic variation. To study the genetic diversity of chrysanthemum cultivars in Korea, we first identified simple sequence repeats from chrysanthemum expressed sequence tags generated by FLX 454 sequencing. A total of 1109 ESTs out of 18,226 chrysanthemum ESTs were identified to carry SSRs. A total of 16 out of 46 primer pairs exhibited several polymorphisms among 50 chrysanthemum cultivars. The number of alleles per locus varied from 1 to 15, with an average of 6.25 alleles. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.8958, whereas polymorphism information content ranged from 0 to 0.8872. Based on polymorphisms using 16 SSR markers, a phylogenetic tree was generated revealing four groups within the 50 cultivars showing various levels of genetic diversity. The 16 polymorphic chrysanthemum SSR markers generated in this study would be useful for studies of the genetic conservation, diversity, and population structure of commercial chrysanthemum cultivars as well as closely related species.     

高粱抗旱种质筛选及遗传多样性的SSR分析

对61份高粱育种材料进行了抗旱性鉴定,旨在筛选既有较好抗旱性能又具较高丰产性能的高粱种质供育种利用。本研究筛选出抗旱性3级以上的材料14份,其中1级抗旱材料2份。选用109对SSR引物对61份高粱种质进行了遗传多样性分析,结果表明51对引物有较好的多态性,共扩增到508个等位变异片段,平均每个标记获得10个等位基因,多态性信息量(PIC)值平均为0.6615,变幅0.0322~0.9134。聚类分析结果表明,61份高粱材料聚成4类,聚类结果与根据地理来源、遗传背景的分类结果基本一致。中国高粱恢复系之间的遗传距离较近,说明我国目前的恢复系材料遗传基础狭窄,应在育种中拓宽恢复系的遗传基础。     

An improved technique for isolating codominant compound microsatellite markers

An approach for developing codominant polymorphic markers (compound microsatellite (SSR) markers), with substantial time and cost savings, is introduced in this paper. In this technique, fragments flanked by a compound SSR sequence at one end were amplified from the constructed DNA library using compound SSR primer (AC)₆(AG)₅ or (TC)₆(AC)₅ and an adaptor primer for the suppression-PCR. A locus-specific primer was designed from the sequence flanking the compound SSR. The primer pairs of the locus-specific and compound SSR primers were used as a compound SSR marker. Because only one locus-specific primer was needed for design of each marker and only a common compound SSR primer was needed as the fluorescence-labeled primer for analyzing all the compound SSR markers, this approach substantially reduced the cost of developing codominant markers and analyzing their polymorphism. We have demonstrated this technique for Dendropanax trifidus and easily developed 11 codominant markers with high polymorphism for D. trifidus. Use of the technique for successful isolation of codominant compound SSR markers for several other plant species is currently in progress.     

Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in the water lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed in the water lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) from an SSR-enriched genomic library. Of the SSR markers tested, 11 primer pairs produced clearly distinguishable DNA banding patterns. Forty-three alleles were detected with the 11 markers. The allele number per locus ranged from 2 to 5 with an average of 3.9. Polymorphism values ranged from 0.11 to 0.66 with an average of 0.51. These primers were also applicable to another Nelumbo species, Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. (American lotus) and hybrids between N. nucifera and N. lutea. These results indicate that the SSR markers developed in this study are informative and will be useful for genetic analysis in Nelumbo species.     

Use of short microsatellites from database sequences to generate polymorphisms among Lycopersicon esculentum cultivars and accessions of other Lycopersicon species

A search of nearly 2000 sequences from Solanaceae species in the EMBL and Genbank databases yielded 220 microsatellites. Among these were 80 microsatellites from 675 Lycopersicon entries. Dinucleotide repeats, as well as (CAA)_n and (TAA)_n repeats, were over-represented in non-coding DNA. The other trinucleotide repeats were predominantly found in exonic DNA. PCR analysis of 44 of the microsatellite-containing Lycopersicon loci identified 36 primer pairs that yielded well-scorable fragments, or groups of fragments, in L. esculentum cultivars and accessions of Lycopersicon species. Twenty-nine of these amplified bands that were polymorphic among the four Lycopersicon species. Ten primer pairs generated polymorphic bands among seven tomato cultivars. Upon examining the number of microsatellites and the degree of polymorphisms in relation to the repeat type and motif, the type of DNA the microsatellite resided in, the length of the microsatellite, and the presence of imperfections in the microsatellite, only two significant correlations were found. (i) Imperfect repeats were less polymorphic among species than perfect repeats. (ii) The percentage of loci polymorphic among cultivars increased from 6% for the shortest loci (with eight or less repeat units) to 60% for the group with the longest repeats (12 repeat units or longer). Among the species, however, all length classes contained about 83% polymorphic loci. In general, 2–4 alleles were found for each locus among the samples of the test set. In a few cases, up to eight alleles were found. A combination of these microsatellite loci can therefore be useful in distinguishing cultivars of tomato, which are genetically very closely related to each other. Received: 9 August 1996 / Accepted: 23 August 1996     

Development and characterisation of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Enrichment methods were optimised in order to isolate large numbers of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), with the aim of developing a comprehensive set of loci for trait mapping and cultivar identification. Two libraries were constructed showing greater than 50% enrichment for a variety of SSR-motif types. Sequence characterisation of 1853 clones identified 859 SSR-containing clones, of which 718 were unique. Truncation of flanking sequences limited potential primer design to 366 clones. One-hundred selected SSR primer pairs were evaluated for amplification and genetic polymorphism across a panel of diverse genotypes. The efficiency of amplification was 81%. A relatively high level of SSR polymorphism was detected (67%), with a range of 2–7 alleles per locus. Mendelian segregation of alleles detected by selected SSR-locus primer pairs was demonstrated in the F₁ progeny of a pair cross. Cross-species amplification was detected in a number of related pasture and turfgrass species, with high levels of transfer to other Lolium species and members of the related genus Festuca. The identity of putative SSR ortholoci in these related species was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. These loci constitute a valuable resource of ideal markers for the molecular breeding of ryegrasses and fescues. Received: 8 May 2000 / Accepted: 13 June 2000     

Development and characterisation of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Highly informative molecular markers, such as simple sequence repeats (SSRs), can greatly accelerate breeding programs. The aim of this study was to develop and characterise a comprehensive set of SSR markers for white clover (Trifolium repens L.), which can be used to tag genes and quantitative trait loci controlling traits of agronomic interest. Sequence analysis of 1123 clones from genomic libraries enriched for (CA) _n repeats yielded 793 clones containing SSR loci. The majority of SSRs consisted of perfect dinucleotide repeats, only 7% being trinucleotide repeats. After exclusion of redundant sequences and SSR loci with less than 25 bp of flanking sequence, 397 potentially useful SSRs remained. Primer pairs were designed for 117 SSR loci and PCR products in the expected size range were amplified from 101 loci. These markers were highly polymorphic, 88% detecting polymorphism across seven white clover genotypes with an average allele number of 4.8. Four primer pairs were tested in an F₂ population revealing Mendelian segregation. Successful cross-species amplification was achieved in at least one out of eight legume species for 46 of 54 primer pairs. The rate of successful amplification was significantly higher for Trifolium species when compared to species of other genera. The markers developed in this study not only provide valuable tools for molecular breeding of white clover but may also have applications in related taxa. Received: 3 April 2000 / Accepted: 12 May 2000     

甘蔗属不同种及优良甘蔗栽培品种的SSR标记遗传多样性分析

应用21对SSR引物与毛细管电泳技术,分析了52个甘蔗属品种的遗传多样性。共检测出327个SSR标记,平均每对引物检测15.6个。选择141个共显性标记构建SSR标记指纹图谱数据库,利用DNAMAN软件与UPGMA统计方法分析参试材料遗传多样性。DNAMAN软件同源分析显示,新台糖16号与台优1号之间的同源性最高(87%),品种之间最小的同源性为55%;利用UPGMA统计方法可把参试材料分成4个遗传相似性较高的类群。结果表明,SSR标记与毛细管技术的结合,可构建甘蔗种质资源SSR标记指纹图谱、分析甘蔗种质资源遗传多样性。聚类分析显示参试甘蔗材料的遗传基础相近,为了提高甘蔗选育种效率,应拓宽甘蔗选育种亲本的遗传基础,提高杂交栽培品种的抗虫、抗病等特性。     

Isolation, characterisation and mapping of simple sequence repeat loci in potato

Solanum tuberosum L. DNA sequences containing simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs were extracted from the EMBL database, cDNA and selectively enriched small-insert DNA libraries. Enrichment was achieved using either triplex affinity capture or single-strand hybridisation selection. One hundred and twelve primer pairs which successfully amplified products of the correct size from potato DNA were ultimately designed and synthesised. Ninety-eight of these revealed length polymorphisms in a panel of four diploid and two tetraploid clones, in agreement with the high information content of this class of markers which has been found in other species. All of the markers were assigned a quality score of 1–5 based on their potential usefulness. Eighty-nine loci from 65 of the primer pairs were located on two genetic linkage maps of potato by segregation analysis of the amplified alleles. Fifty-two of the SSRs were clearly single locus. The maps were aligned using 23 SSR primer pairs and 13 RFLP loci mapped in both populations. The markers described constitute a class which should replace Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) as the markers of choice for future genetic studies in potato. The sequences of the primers, together with other information on these markers are provided. Received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 25 March 1998     

Influence of wheat cultivars on straw quality and Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation

The main raw material for Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) cultivation is wheat straw. Estimation of straw biodegradability from 15 different spring wheat cultivars under irrigation in South Africa was determined using linear discriminant analysis to discriminate or group the 15 cultivars by combining chemical analysis and in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between ash, nitrogen, reducing sugars, anthrone reactive-carbohydrates, water-soluble dry matter, and oyster mushroom yields. The significance of these measurements was investigated and discussed.     

中国黄瓜主栽品种SSR遗传多样性分析及指纹图谱构建

应用简单重复序列(SSR)标记对从国内主要黄瓜育种单位征集到的116份生产上主栽品种进行遗传多样性分析。结果表明35对引物共扩增出86个等位基因,每对引物平均扩增出2.46个等位基因,其中有效等位基因占70.99%,平均Shannon’s信息指数为0.639,平均PIC为0.382。116个品种的遗传相似系数(GS)分布在0.5029~0.9797之间。聚类分析结果表明在遗传距离0.25处可将供试材料分为2大类群。第1类共106个品种,可分为5个亚族,主要包括华北密刺型、华南型、日本少刺型这3大类型;第2类包含10个欧洲温室型品种。     

Polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers in chloroplast genomes of Solanaceous plants

PCR-based markers were developed from mononucleotide simple-sequence repeats in the chloroplast genome of Nicotiana tabacum and applied to the analysis of genetic diversity. These markers were found to detect high levels of polymorphism at three taxonomic levels in Solanaceous plants. Of 36 chloroplast loci examined, 26 show some degree of polymorphism among potato accessions. Among a set of 30 tetraploid potato cultivars it is apparent that a single chloroplast haplotype is prevalent, presumably a result of the widespread use as a female parent of the imported US cultivar Rough Purple Chili in the latter half of the 19th century. Nonetheless, there is considerable chloroplast diversity in the cultivated potato, and it is clear that a large proportion of this variability has arisen through the use of wild or primitive cultivated species of potato in introgression programmes. This variability should be used in future breeding programmes. An examination of single accessions from 24 potato species, as well as representatives from tobacco and other members of the Solanaceae, reveals high levels of inter-specific chloroplast DNA variation. These data, and the ease of use and potential for multiplexing of these markers, suggest that cpSSRs will be of great utility in population genetics, germplasm management, evolutionary and phylogenetic studies as well as in, the analysis of material from introgression and somatic-fusion experiments. Interestingly, the polymorphism arising from one of the more-polymorphic chloroplast loci examined, does not originate solely from the SSR, and is due to variation in the copy number of two tandemly arrayed sequence elements. Received: 15 December 1998 / Accepted: 9 February 1999     

Multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis for Escherichia coli causing extraintestinal infections

Discriminatory genotyping methods for the analysis of Escherichia coli other than O157:H7 are necessary for public health-related activities. A new multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis protocol is presented; this method achieves an index of discrimination of 99.5% and is reproducible and valid when tested on a collection of 836 diverse E. coli.