藏酋猴微卫星富集文库的构建及微卫星分子标记的筛选

通过磁珠富集法构建了藏酋猴AC重复和AAAG重复的微卫星富集文库,分离微卫星序列并对其进行分析。将藏酋猴基因组DNA经Sau3AI酶切后纯化回收,连接特定接头。用生物素标记的探针与酶切片段杂交,捕获300～1000bp片段,随后将获得的片段连接到pMD-19T载体上,转化至JM109中,成功构建藏酋猴微卫星富集文库。(AC)n富集文库和(AAAG)n富集文库的阳性克隆率分别为50%和10%左右。根据测序得到的48个微卫星序列成功设计了24对引物,最终筛选出6个微卫星标记,这些标记将为藏酋猴的遗传多样性研究、圈养种群结构的分析和遗传图谱的构建等奠定一定的基础。     

Eleven new microsatellites for hop (Humulus lupulus L.)

We present a new set of 11 polymorphic microsatellite primer sequences for use with Humulus lupulus. Microsatellite‐enriched libraries for GA_n and GT_n types of repeats were produced. Sequencing of 72 clones revealed 42 unique inserts containing microsatellites, out of which 19 primer pairs were designed and microsatellite amplification was tested on 39 wild hops and cultivars. Eleven primer pairs showed single locus amplification with 2–13 alleles, average 7.2, of which 17 unique alleles were discovered. One primer pair amplified too strong stutter bands, one locus was monomorphic and multilocus amplification was obtained with the remaining six primer pairs.     

A simple method for isolation of microsatellites from the Japanese squirrel,Sciurus lis,without constructing a genomic library

We developed a simple and easy method to isolate microsatellites without screening genomic libraries by hybridization. The method requires only three basic techniques: polymerase chain reaction, DNA cloning and sequencing. We applied this method to develop microsatellite markers for the Japanese squirrel and isolated 45 clones that contained repetitive sequences. Among the 22 clones that we tested further, we found 11 diagnostic microsatellite loci that are applicable to the molecular ecological study of Japanese squirrels.     

磁珠富集法筛选实验豚鼠微卫星分子标记

目的直接从实验豚鼠基因组DNA中筛选获得微卫星分子标记。方法应用磁珠和生物素标记的微卫星探针与豚鼠基因组酶切片段杂交,捕获200～1000 bp含有微卫星序列的DNA片段,连接到pMD-18V载体中,转化到感受态细胞E.coli DH5α中构建富集微卫星序列的小片段插入文库。然后用PCR法进行筛选。结果从约2000个转化子中获得240个阳性克隆。对其中98个进行了测序,并成功设计豚鼠微卫星引物17对。结论经过优化的磁珠富集法能够稳定、高效地获得豚鼠微卫星标记。本研究获得的微卫星位点将成为豚鼠遗传学研究的有力工具。     

A High Through-put Procedure for Capturing Microsatellites from Complex Plant Genomes

A method is outlined for large-scale isolation and characterization of microsatellite sequences from complex plant genomes. The method presented here differs from the previously published procedures in the use of randomly sheared (nebulized) genomic DNA for adapter-ligation, rigorous removal of biotinylated oligos, and high-density colony blots for constructing enriched libraries. Using this method we have constructed cotton microsatellite enriched libraries with over 20% (high stringency screening) or 75% (by random sequencing). Thus far we have identified and sequenced over 500 cotton microsatellites using this procedure. The procedure can be used to generate enriched SSR libraries from genomic DNA in about one week. High throughput screening and automated DNA sequencing can be accomplished in less than one month.     

Microdissection and sequence analysis of pericentric heterochromatin from the Drosophila melanogastermutant Suppressor of Underreplication

In the Suppressor of Underreplication( SuUR) mutant strain of Drosophila melanogaster, the heterochromatin of polytene chromosomes is not underreplicated and, as a consequence, a number of beta-heterochromatic regions acquire a banded structure. The chromocenter does not form in these polytene chromosomes, and heterochromatic regions, normally part of the chromocenter, become accessible to cytological analysis. We generated four genomic DNA libraries from specific heterochromatic regions by microdissection of polytene chromosomes. In situ hybridization of individual libraries onto SuUR polytene chromosomes shows that repetitive DNA sequences spread into the neighboring euchromatic regions. This observation allows the localization of eu-heterochromatin transition zones on polytene chromosomes. We find that genomic scaffolds from the eu-heterochromatin transition zones are enriched in repetitive DNA sequences homologous to those flanking the suppressor of forked gene [ su(f) repeat]. We isolated and sequenced about 300 clones from the heterochromatic DNA libraries obtained. Most of the clones contain repetitive DNA sequences; however, some of the clones have unique DNA sequences shared with parts of unmapped genomic scaffolds. Hybridization of these clones onto SuUR polytene chromosomes allowed us to assign the cytological localizations of the corresponding genomic scaffolds within heterochromatin. Our results demonstrate that the SuUR mutant renders possible the mapping of heterochromatic scaffolds on polytene chromosomes.     

Informative genomic microsatellite markers for efficient genotyping applications in sugarcane

Genomic microsatellite markers are capable of revealing high degree of polymorphism. Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.), having a complex polyploid genome requires more number of such informative markers for various applications in genetics and breeding. With the objective of generating a large set of microsatellite markers designated as Sugarcane Enriched Genomic MicroSatellite (SEGMS), 6,318 clones from genomic libraries of two hybrid sugarcane cultivars enriched with 18 different microsatellite repeat-motifs were sequenced to generate 4.16 Mb high-quality sequences. Microsatellites were identified in 1,261 of the 5,742 non-redundant clones that accounted for 22% enrichment of the libraries. Retro-transposon association was observed for 23.1% of the identified microsatellites. The utility of the microsatellite containing genomic sequences were demonstrated by higher primer designing potential (90%) and PCR amplification efficiency (87.4%). A total of 1,315 markers including 567 class I microsatellite markers were designed and placed in the public domain for unrestricted use. The level of polymorphism detected by these markers among sugarcane species, genera, and varieties was 88.6%, while cross-transferability rate was 93.2% within Saccharum complex and 25% to cereals. Cloning and sequencing of size variant amplicons revealed that the variation in the number of repeat-units was the main source of SEGMS fragment length polymorphism. High level of polymorphism and wide range of genetic diversity (0.16–0.82 with an average of 0.44) assayed with the SEGMS markers suggested their usefulness in various genotyping applications in sugarcane. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Characterization of new Schistosoma mansoni microsatellite loci in sequences obtained from public DNA databases and microsatellite enriched genomic libraries

In the last decade microsatellites have become one of the most useful genetic markers used in a large number of organisms due to their abundance and high level of polymorphism. Microsatellites have been used for individual identification, paternity tests, forensic studies and population genetics. Data on microsatellite abundance comes preferentially from microsatellite enriched libraries and DNA sequence databases. We have conducted a search in GenBank of more than 16,000 Schistosoma mansoni ESTs and 42,000 BAC sequences. In addition, we obtained 300 sequences from CA and AT microsatellite enriched genomic libraries. The sequences were searched for simple repeats using the RepeatMasker software. Of 16,022 ESTs, we detected 481 (3%) sequences that contained 622 microsatellites (434 perfect, 164 imperfect and 24 compounds). Of the 481 ESTs, 194 were grouped in 63 clusters containing 2 to 15 ESTs per cluster. Polymorphisms were observed in 16 clusters. The 287 remaining ESTs were orphan sequences. Of the 42,017 BAC end sequences, 1,598 (3.8%) contained microsatellites (2,335 perfect, 287 imperfect and 79 compounds). The 1,598 BAC end sequences 80 were grouped into 17 clusters containing 3 to 17 BAC end sequences per cluster. Microsatellites were present in 67 out of 300 sequences from microsatellite enriched libraries (55 perfect, 38 imperfect and 15 compounds). From all of the observed loci 55 were selected for having the longest perfect repeats and flanking regions that allowed the design of primers for PCR amplification. Additionally we describe two new polymorphic microsatellite loci.     

四川梅花鹿(CAG)n微卫星文库构建

应用Dynal磁珠-生物素标记的微卫星探针与四川梅花鹿基因组酶切片段杂交,捕获200～750 bp含有微卫星序列的DNA片段,连接pMD18-T载体,再转化到感受态细胞JM109中以构建文库.通过PCR方法从(CAG)n文库中筛选阳性克隆,从576个转化子中获得了234个阳性克隆,对其全部进行序列测定,其中73个含有微卫星序列.除获得的目的微卫星序列(CAG)n外,还观察到(AG)n、(AT)n的重复序列.本研究表明,经过优化的磁珠富集法能够稳定、高效地获得四川梅花鹿微卫星标记.     

Non-SELEX: selection of aptamers without intermediate amplification of candidate oligonucleotides

Aptamers are typically selected from libraries of random DNA (or RNA) sequences through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), which involves several rounds of alternating steps of partitioning of candidate oligonucleotides and their PCR amplification. Here we describe a protocol for non-SELEX selection of aptamers--a process that involves repetitive steps of partitioning with no amplification between them. Non-equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM), which is a highly efficient affinity method, is used for partitioning. NECEEM also facilitates monitoring of bulk affinity of enriched libraries at every step of partitioning and screening of individual clones for their affinity to the target. NECEEM allows all clones to be screened prior to sequencing, so that only clones with suitable binding parameters are sequenced. The entire protocol can be completed in 1 wk, whereas conventional SELEX protocols take several weeks even in a specialized industrial facility.     

Why high-error-rate random mutagenesis libraries are enriched in functional and improved proteins

The fraction of proteins that retain wild-type function after mutation has long been observed to decline exponentially as the average number of mutations per gene increases. Recently, several groups have used error-prone polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to generate libraries with 15 to 30 mutations per gene, on average, and have reported that orders of magnitude more proteins retain function than would be expected from the low-mutation-rate trend. Proteins with improved or novel function were isolated disproportionately from these high-error-rate libraries, leading to claims that high mutation rates unlock regions of sequence space that are enriched in positively coupled mutations. Here, we show experimentally that error-prone PCR produces a broader non-Poisson distribution of mutations consistent with a detailed model of PCR. As error rates increase, this distribution leads directly to the observed excesses in functional clones. We then show that while very low mutation rates result in many functional sequences, only a small number are unique. By contrast, very high mutation rates produce mostly unique sequences, but few retain function. Thus an optimal mutation rate exists that balances uniqueness and retention of function. Overall, high-error-rate mutagenesis libraries are enriched in improved sequences because they contain more unique, functional clones. Our findings demonstrate how optimal error-prone PCR mutation rates may be calculated, and indicate that "optimal" rates depend on both the protein and the mutagenesis protocol.     

Sequence-based novel genomic microsatellite markers for robust genotyping purposes in foxtail millet [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Setaria italica</Emphasis> (L.) P. Beauv.]

The unavailability of microsatellite markers and saturated genetic linkage map has restricted the genetic improvement of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], despite the fact that in recent times it has been documented as a new model species for biofuel grasses. With the objective to generate a good number of microsatellite markers in foxtail millet cultivar ‘Prasad’, 690 clones were sequenced which generated 112.95 kb high quality sequences obtained from three genomic libraries each enriched with different microsatellite repeat motifs. Microsatellites were identified in 512 (74.2%) of the 690 positive clones and 172 primer pairs (pp) were successfully designed from 249 (48.6%) unique SSR-containing clones. The efficacies of the microsatellite containing genomic sequences were established by superior primer designing ability (69%), PCR amplification efficiency (85.5%) and polymorphic potential (52%) in the parents of F₂ mapping population. Out of 172 pp, functional 147 markers showed high level of cross-species amplification (~74%) in six grass species. Higher polymorphism rate and broad range of genetic diversity (0.30–0.69 averaging 0.58) obtained in constructed phylogenetic tree using 52 microsatellite markers, demonstrated the utility of markers in germplasm characterizations. In silico comparative mapping of 147 foxtail millet microsatellite containing sequences against the mapping data of sorghum (~18%), maize (~16%) and rice (~5%) indicated the presence of orthologous sequences of the foxtail millet in the respective species. The result thus demonstrates the applicability of microsatellite markers in various genotyping applications, determining phylogenetic relationships and comparative mapping in several important grass species.     

What remains from a 454 run: estimation of success rates of microsatellite loci development in selected newt species (Calotriton asper,Lissotriton helveticus,and Triturus cristatus) and comparison with Illumina‐based approaches

The development of microsatellite loci has become more efficient using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, and many studies imply that the amount of applicable loci is large. However, few studies have sought to quantify the number of loci that are retained for use out of the thousands of sequence reads initially obtained. We analyzed the success rate of microsatellite loci development for three amphibian species using a 454 NGS approach on tetra‐nucleotide motif‐enriched species‐specific libraries. The number of sequence reads obtained differed strongly between species and ranged from 19,562 for Triturus cristatus to 55,626 for Lissotriton helveticus, with 52,075 reads obtained for Calotriton asper. PHOBOS was used to identify sequences with tetra‐nucleotide repeat motifs with a minimum repeat number of ten and high quality primer binding sites. Of 107 sequences for T. cristatus, 316 for C. asper and 319 for L. helveticus, we tested the amplification success, polymorphism, and degree of heterozygosity for 41 primer combinations each for C. asper and T. cristatus, and 22 for L. helveticus. We found 11 polymorphic loci for T. cristatus, 20 loci for C. asper, and 15 loci for L. helveticus. Extrapolated, the number of potentially amplifiable loci (PALs) resulted in estimated species‐specific success rates of 0.15% (T. cristatus), 0.30% (C. asper), and 0.39% (L. helveticus). Compared with representative Illumina NGS approaches, our applied 454‐sequencing approach on specifically enriched sublibraries proved to be quite competitive in terms of success rates and number of finally applicable loci.     

A simple PCR procedure for discovering microsatellites from small insert libraries

Microsatellite discovery from genomic libraries is tedious because of the low number of clones that contain inserts and costly because of screening methodologies. A new procedure for screening clones for microsatellite DNA is described herein. Instead of colony hybridization, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with two vector standard primers and one synthesized repeat primer was used to directly screen colonies. PCR of colonies that produced a strong smear in gels contained the desired motif, whereas a single strong band indicated the lack of the desired motif. This simple screening method is a cost‐effective way to identify microsatellite‐containing colonies.     

High-throughput microsatellite marker development in two sparid species and verification of their transferability in the family Sparidae

Recently, 454 sequencing has emerged as a popular method for isolating microsatellites owing to cost-effectiveness and time saving. In this study, repeat-enriched libraries from two southern African endemic sparids (Pachymetopon blochii and Lithognathus lithognathus) were 454 GS-FLX sequenced. From these, 7370 sequences containing repeats (SCRs) were identified. A brief survey of 23 studies showed a significant difference between the number of SCRs when enrichment was performed first before 454 sequencing. We designed primers for 302 unique fragments containing more than five repeat units and suitable flanking regions. A fraction (<11%) of these loci were characterized with 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci (nine in each of the focal species) being described. Sanger sequencing of alleles confirmed that size variation was because of differences in the number of tandem repeats. However, a case of homoplasy and sequencing errors in the 454 sequencing were identified. These newly developed and four previously isolated loci were successfully used to identify polymorphic markers in nine other economically important species, representative of sparid diversity. The combination of newly developed markers with data from previous sparid cross-species studies showed a significant negative correlation between genetic divergence to focal species and microsatellite transferability. The high level of transferability we described (48% amplification success and 32% polymorphism) suggests that the 302 microsatellite loci identified represent an excellent resource for future studies on sparids. Microsatellite marker development should commonly include tests of transferability to reduce costs and increase feasibility of population genetics studies in nonmodel organisms.     

巴氏蘑菇微卫星序列的分离及其对Co60辐射诱变菌株的鉴别

根据链霉素磁珠和生物素特异结合的特性,用生物素标记的二聚核苷酸重复序列探针从巴氏蘑菇的基因组中分离微卫星序列。将结合于链霉素磁珠上的标记探针同两端连接已知序列人工接头的巴氏蘑菇DNA酶切片段杂交。洗脱未杂交DNA片段后,用磁珠富集的片段建立微卫星文库。挑取522个菌落用对应重复序列为引物进行PCR筛选,得到48个阳性克隆,经测序有32个菌落含微卫星序列。微卫星富集效率为阳性克隆数的67%,总克隆数的6%。除去重复或无效的微卫星序列,在设计出的12对用于鉴别85个巴氏蘑菇的Co60辐射变异株微卫星引物中,有4对引物总共扩增出明显的变异菌株17个。证明有些微卫星位点可用于巴氏蘑菇辐射变异品种的指纹筛选与鉴别。     

Polymerase chain reaction primers for polymorphic microsatellite loci from the túngara frog Physalaemus pustulosus

We developed eight PCR?primer pairs of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the túngara frog Physalaemus pustulosus. Genomic libraries were enriched for one of four microsatellite repeat sequences (CA_n, GA_n, ATG_n and TAGA_n). Following characterization of microsatellite loci by sequencing, primers were designed and PCR conditions optimized. Microsatellite PCR‐amplification was tested in 37 frogs from 8 populations in Costa Rica and Panama. Primer sequences, PCR conditions, allelelic diversities and observed as well as expected heterozygosities in the screened populations are described.