A first generation bovine BAC-based physical map

A first generation clone-based physical map for the bovine genome was constructed combining, fluorescent double digestion fingerprinting and sequence tagged site (STS) marker screening. The BAC clones were selected from an Inra BAC library (105 984 clones) and a part of the CHORI-240 BAC library (26 500 clones). The contigs were anchored using the screening information for a total of 1303 markers (451 microsatellites, 471 genes, 127 EST, and 254 BAC ends). The final map, which consists of 6615 contigs assembled from 100 923 clones, will be a valuable tool for genomic research in ruminants, including targeted marker production, positional cloning or targeted sequencing of regions of specific interest.     

Rapid isolation of terminal sequences from cloned plant DNA fragments

The isolation of DNA clone termini is an important step in the development of DNA contigs utilized for a range of applications, including physical mapping, genetic map-based cloning, insertion mutagenesis cloning, and isolation of complete gene sequences. We describe a rapid PCR-based method for the isolation of vector-insert junctions, or insert terminal sequences, of cloned plant DNA fragments. PCR amplification is performed using a vector-specific primer and a nonspecific primer, originally designed for use in animal systems, containing degenerative bases that we have shown can also anneal to plant insert DNA. Using this method we have successfully isolated end-terminal sequences from plant genomic clones harbored in YAC, BAC, and bacteriophage λ vectors. Termini of genomic clones from both tomato andArabidopsis were isolated demonstrating the utility of this technique among a range of plant species.     

Physical map and gene survey of the Ochrobactrum anthropi genome using bacterial artificial chromosome contigs

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are effective mapping and sequencing reagents for use with a wide variety of small and large genomes. This report describes research aimed at determining the genome structure of Ochrobactrum anthropi, an opportunistic human pathogen that has potential applications in biodegradation of hazardous organic compounds. A BAC library for O. anthropi was constructed that provides a 70-fold genome coverage based on an estimated genome size of 4.8 Mb. The library contains 3072 clones with an average insert size of 112 kb. High-density colony filters of the library were made, and a physical map of the genome was constructed using a hybridization without replacement strategy. In addition, 1536 BAC clones were fingerprinted with HindIII and analyzed using IMAGE and Fingerprint Contig software (FPC, Sanger Centre, U.K.). The FPC results supported the hybridization data, resulting in the formation of two major contigs representing the two major replicons of the O. anthropi genome. After determining a reduced tiling path, 138 BAC ends from the reduced tile were sequenced for a preliminary gene survey. A search of the public databases with the BLASTX algorithm resulted in 77 strong hits (E-value < 0.001), of which 89% showed similarity to a wide variety of prokaryotic genes. These results provide a contig-based physical map to assist the cloning of important genomic regions and the potential sequencing of the O. anthropi genome.     

A plant-transformation-competent BIBAC/BAC-based map of rice for functional analysis and genetic engineering of its genomic sequence.

Sequencing of the rice genome has provided a platform for functional genomics research of rice and other cereal species. However, multiple approaches are needed to determine the functions of its genes and sequences and to use the genome sequencing results for genetic improvement of cereal crops. Here, we report a plant-transformation-competent, binary bacterial artificial chromosome (BIBAC) and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) based map of rice to facilitate these studies. The map was constructed from 20 835 BIBAC and BAC clones, and consisted of 579 overlapping BIBAC/BAC contigs. To facilitate functional analysis of chromosome 8 genomic sequence and cloning of the genes and QTLs mapped to the chromosome, we anchored the chromosomal contigs to the existing rice genetic maps. The chromosomal map consists of 11 contigs, 59 genetic markers, and 36 sequence tagged sites, spanning a total of ca. 38 Mb in physical length. Comparative analysis between the genetic and physical maps of chromosome 8 showed that there are 3 "hot" and 2 "cold" spots of genetic recombination along the chromosomal arms in addition to the "cold spot" in the centromeric region, suggesting that the sequence component contents of a chromosome may affect its local genetic recombination frequencies. Because of its plant transformability, the BIBAC/BAC map could provide a platform for functional analysis of the rice genome sequence and effective use of the sequencing results for gene and QTL cloning and molecular breeding.     

Structural analysis and complete physical map of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5 including centromeric and telomeric regions.

Previously, we have reported a fine physical map of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5, except for the centromeric and telomeric regions, by ordering clones from YAC, P1, TAC, and BAC libraries of the genome consisting of the two contigs of upper arm and lower arm, 11.6 M bases and 14.2 M bases, respectively. Here, the remaining centromeric and telomeric regions of chromosome 5 are completely characterized by the ordering of clones and PCR amplifications. Chromosome 5 of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia is about 28.4 M bases long. The centromeric region is estimated at about 2 M bases long between two 5S-rDNA clusters. The 180-bp repeat region mainly consists of blocks of 180-bp tandem family and various type retroelements dispersed over a 500-kb region. The telomeric regions of chromosome 5 are characterized by PCR cloning, sequencing and hybridization. The telomere repeats at both ends are about 2.5-kb long and interestingly, telomere-associated repeats (approximately 700 bp) are found near both ends of chromosome 5.     

Use of the IGF BAC library for physical mapping of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome

In order to generate a physical map of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome based on bacterial artificial chromosome clones (BACs), an iterative high throughput hybridisation strategy was applied and its efficiency was evaluated. Thus, probes generated from both ends of 500 BAC clones selected from the Arabidopsis –IGF–BAC library were hybridised to the entire library gridded on high density filters. The 1000 hybridisation reactions identified 4496 clones (41.8% of the complete library, or 50.3% if organellar, centromeric, and ribosomal DNA carrying clones are excluded) which were assembled into a minimum of 220 contigs. These results demonstrate the viability of the applied ‘double-end clone-limited/sampling without replacement’ hybridisation strategy for the generation of a high resolution physical map, and provide a highly useful resource for map-based gene cloning approaches and further genome analysis.     

BAC library construction, screening and clone sequencing of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis, Salmonidae) towards the elucidation of adaptive species divergence

Genomic DNA sequences and other genomic resources are essential towards the elucidation of the genomic bases of adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation. Here, we describe the construction, characterization and screening of a nonarrayed BAC library for lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). We then show how the combined use of BAC library screening and next-generation sequencing can lead to efficient full-length assembly of candidate genes. The lake whitefish BAC library consists of 181,050 clones derived from a single heterozygous fish. The mean insert size is 92 Kb, representing 5.2 haploid genome equivalents. Ten BAC clones were isolated following a quantitative real-time PCR screening approach that targeted five previously identified candidate genes. Sequencing of these clones on a 454 GS FLX system yielded 178,000 reads with a mean length of 358 bp, for a total of 63.8 Mb. De novo assembly and annotation then allowed retrieval of contigs corresponding to each candidate gene, which also contained up- and/or downstream noncoding sequences. These results suggest that the lake whitefish BAC library combined with next-generation sequencing technologies will be key resources to achieve a better understanding of both adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation in lake whitefish species pairs as well as salmonid evolution in general.     

A comparative map of chicken chromosome 24 and human chromosome 11

To improve the physical and comparative map of chicken chromosome 24 (GGA24; former linkage group E49C20W21) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs were constructed around loci previously mapped on this chromosome by linkage analysis. The BAC clones were used for both sample sequencing and BAC end sequencing. Sequence tagged site (STS) markers derived from the BAC end sequences were used for chromosome walking. In total 191 BAC clones were isolated, covering almost 30% of GGA24, and 76 STS were developed (65 STS derived from BAC end sequences and 11 STS derived within genes). The partial sequences of the chicken BAC clones were compared with sequences present in the EMBL/GenBank databases, and revealed matches to 19 genes, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and genomic clones located on human chromosome 11q22-q24 and mouse chromosome 9. Furthermore, 11 chicken orthologues of human genes located on HSA11q22-q24 were directly mapped within BAC contigs of GGA24. These results provide a better alignment of GGA24 with the corresponding regions in human and mouse and identify several intrachromosomal rearrangements between chicken and mammals.     

PCR筛选BAC文库和直接BAC末端测序方法的建立

建立了一种用PCR方法筛选富含高度重复序列的大麦BAC DNA 文库和直接对 BAC DNA进行末端测序的方法.用PCR技术进行大麦BAC DNA 文库(含816个平板,每个平板含384个克隆)的筛选分4步进行.在实验中,建立了两个水平的BAC DNA池(一级池和二级池).一个二级池由一个平板(含有384个克隆)的DNA 组成,一个一级池由连续10个稀释100倍的二级池的DNA混合而成(如1～10,11～20等),共82个一级池.BAC DNA 文库筛选的第一步是对82个一级池的筛选.得到阳性一级池后(如2号一级池),对其所含的10个二级池(从11～20)进行第二步筛选.得到阳性二级池后,培养相应的阳性平板的所有克隆(384个),从头开始(左上侧),每相邻的4个克隆为一组,在96孔板上(4 X 96=384) 进行第三轮PCR反应;之后对筛选结果为阳性的4个克隆分别进行菌落 PCR(第四轮)得到单一阳性克隆.根据BAC DNA Hind III 酶切指纹图谱,对同一引物筛选的BACs进行重叠群作图(Contig).对代表contig 的两端的BAC DNA直接进行末端测序并对测序结果Blast,以检测其在大麦中是否属于单拷贝序列.根据测序和Blast结果设计引物,用中国春附加系(附加大麦染色体)对来自BAC克隆的引物进行染色体定位并用分离群体进行遗传学作图,以确定是否可以用作下一步的染色体步行.     

Fine genetic mapping and BAC contig development for the citrus tristeza virus resistance gene locus in Poncirus trifoliata (Raf.)

A map-based cloning strategy has been employed to isolate Ctv, a single dominant gene from Poncirus trifoliata that confers resistance to citrus tristeza virus (CTV), the most important viral pathogen of citrus. Cloning of this gene will allow development of commercially acceptable, virus-resistant cultivars. A high-resolution genetic linkage map of the Ctv locus region was developed using a backcross population of 678 individuals. Three DNA markers that were closely linked or co-segregated with Ctv were identified and used to screen BAC libraries derived from an intergeneric hybrid of Poncirus and Citrus. Through chromosome walking and landing, two BAC contigs were developed: one encompassing the Ctv region, and the other spanning the allelic susceptibility gene region. The resistance gene contig consists of 20 BAC clones and is approximately 550 kb in length; the susceptibility gene contig consists of 16 BAC clones and extends about 450 kb. The Ctv locus was localized within a genomic region of approximately 180 kb by genetic mapping of BAC insert ends. The BAC contigs were integrated with the genetic map; variation in the ratio of genetic to physical distance was observed in the vicinity of Ctv. Southern hybridization data indicated that a few copies of NBS-LRR class sequences are distributed at or around the Ctv locus. Efforts are being made to assign the Ctv locus to a smaller genomic fragment whose function can be confirmed through genetic complementation of a CTV susceptible phenotype. These results indicate that map-based gene cloning is feasible in a woody perennial.     

A physical map of the highly heterozygous Populus genome: integration with the genome sequence and genetic map and analysis of haplotype variation

As part of a larger project to sequence the Populus genome and generate genomic resources for this emerging model tree, we constructed a physical map of the Populus genome, representing one of the few such maps of an undomesticated, highly heterozygous plant species. The physical map, consisting of 2802 contigs, was constructed from fingerprinted bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. The map represents approximately 9.4-fold coverage of the Populus genome, which has been estimated from the genome sequence assembly to be 485 ± 10 Mb in size. BAC ends were sequenced to assist long-range assembly of whole-genome shotgun sequence scaffolds and to anchor the physical map to the genome sequence. Simple sequence repeat-based markers were derived from the end sequences and used to initiate integration of the BAC and genetic maps. A total of 2411 physical map contigs, representing 97% of all clones assigned to contigs, were aligned to the sequence assembly (JGI Populus trichocarpa , version 1.0). These alignments represent a total coverage of 384 Mb (79%) of the entire poplar sequence assembly and 295 Mb (96%) of linkage group sequence assemblies. A striking result of the physical map contig alignments to the sequence assembly was the co-localization of multiple contigs across numerous regions of the 19 linkage groups. Targeted sequencing of BAC clones and genetic analysis in a small number of representative regions showed that these co-aligning contigs represent distinct haplotypes in the heterozygous individual sequenced, and revealed the nature of these haplotype sequence differences.     

An integrated gene and SSLP BAC map framework of mouse chromosome 11

Physical maps are important resources both in sequencing and in functional analyses of large genomes. Global contig-building approaches are regarded to be more efficient relative to the cumulative outcome of scattered and more localized physical mapping studies accompanying positional cloning. This work is part of an effort to assemble a complete physical map of mouse chromosome 11 in which selection of clones containing specific genetic markers from genomic libraries is the first step in the process. Using a previously developed strategy, we identified 361 bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing 88 gene markers. Since the linkage positions of markers chosen for these studies are known, the BAC framework obtained is anchored to the genetic map and represents about 13% of the length of the entire chromosome. Together with similar assignments of BACs generated previously using D11Mit markers (Cai et al., 1988, Genomics, 54: 387-397), 36-40% of the chromosome 11 is now assembled into contigs, and these contigs correlate through 51 clones carrying both gene and simple sequence length polymorphism markers.     

Positional cloning of the s haplotype determining the floral and incompatibility phenotype of the long-styled morph of distylous Turnera subulata

Heterostyly is a plant breeding system occurring in approximately 28 plant families and it has often been used as a model system in plant genetics and evolution. Although heterostyly has been studied for over a century beginning with Charles Darwin, the genes determining floral architecture and incompatibility are still unknown. To identify the genes residing at the S-locus of distylous Turnera subulata, we used a positional cloning strategy and assembled three BAC contigs across the S-locus region. In total, 31 overlapping BAC clones were assembled into contigs 1, 2 and SL. We developed and mapped numerous co-dominant markers from the ends of BAC clones across the S-locus region and assayed X-ray deletion mutants to delimit the region of the contig containing the S-locus. Deletion mapping revealed that a single BAC clone (L22s) within contig-SL contains the s haplotype, while two additional BAC clones (I1 and K15) may contain parts of the dominant S haplotype. Furthermore, we exploited the contigs assembled and investigated the rates of recombination at the S-locus as well as in two regions on either side of the S-locus. We found that recombination rates (estimated in kb/cM) are 2-5 times lower at the S-locus relative to flanking regions, although they are not statistically significant. The present study represents a landmark in the molecular characterization of the S-locus of a heterostylous species. We are now on the verge of identifying the genes that have remained elusive since Darwin's comprehensive study of heterostylous systems more than 125 years ago.     

Direct Cloning and Sequencing of Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) Insert Ends Based on Double Digestion

Conventional digestion and ligation was developed into a novel and efficient approach for directly cloning and sequencing the two ends of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone inserts. Most BAC vectors have two Not I sites. This end isolation method is based on double digestion of the BAC clone DNA with Not I and any blunt-end restriction enzyme for which there is not a restriction site located within the small fragment (containing the cloning site) between the two Not I sites on the BAC vector. Digestion is followed by ligation of the double-digested mixture with a suitable plasmid vector. The pBeloBAC11 and pBlueScriptII SK vectors were used in the present study. The two ends of the BAC insert can be amplified and sequenced with three specific primers, i.e., amplification of the left end with the pBeloBAC11 LF1 and pBlueScriptII KS primers, and the right end with the pBeloBAC11 RR4 and KS primers. They may be directly recovered by transformation if the end fragments are used as probes. More significantly, this simple strategy generally can be applied to any BAC vector with any cloning site.     

SPC-P1: a pathogenicity-associated prophage of Salmonella paratyphi C

Background

The presence of closely related genomes in polyploid species makes the assembly of total genomic sequence from shotgun sequence reads produced by the current sequencing platforms exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. Genomes of polyploid species could be sequenced following the ordered-clone sequencing approach employing contigs of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones and BAC-based physical maps. Although BAC contigs can currently be constructed for virtually any diploid organism with the SNaPshot high-information-content-fingerprinting (HICF) technology, it is currently unknown if this is also true for polyploid species. It is possible that BAC clones from orthologous regions of homoeologous chromosomes would share numerous restriction fragments and be therefore included into common contigs. Because of this and other concerns, physical mapping utilizing the SNaPshot HICF of BAC libraries of polyploid species has not been pursued and the possibility of doing so has not been assessed. The sole exception has been in common wheat, an allohexaploid in which it is possible to construct single-chromosome or single-chromosome-arm BAC libraries from DNA of flow-sorted chromosomes and bypass the obstacles created by polyploidy.

Results

The potential of the SNaPshot HICF technology for physical mapping of polyploid plants utilizing global BAC libraries was evaluated by assembling contigs of fingerprinted clones in an in silico merged BAC library composed of single-chromosome libraries of two wheat homoeologous chromosome arms, 3AS and 3DS, and complete chromosome 3B. Because the chromosome arm origin of each clone was known, it was possible to estimate the fidelity of contig assembly. On average 97.78% or more clones, depending on the library, were from a single chromosome arm. A large portion of the remaining clones was shown to be library contamination from other chromosomes, a feature that is unavoidable during the construction of single-chromosome BAC libraries.

Conclusions

The negligibly low level of incorporation of clones from homoeologous chromosome arms into a contig during contig assembly suggested that it is feasible to construct contigs and physical maps using global BAC libraries of wheat and almost certainly also of other plant polyploid species with genome sizes comparable to that of wheat. Because of the high purity of the resulting assembled contigs, they can be directly used for genome sequencing. It is currently unknown but possible that equally good BAC contigs can be also constructed for polyploid species containing smaller, more gene-rich genomes.     

Construction of an ∼2 Mb contig in the region around 80 cM of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 2

A method for construction of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs from a yeast artifical chromosome (YAC) physical map is described. An ∼2 Mb contig, consisting of two large BAC contigs linked by a small YAC, has been assembled in the region around 80 cM of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 2. Clones from this contig will facilitate gene isolation in the region and can be used directly as substrates for DNA sequencing.     

A BAC clone-based physical map of ovine major histocompatibility complex

An ovine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library containing 190,000 BAC clones was constructed and subsequently screened to construct a BAC-based physical map for the ovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Two hundred thirty-three BAC clones were selected by 84 overgo probes designed on human, mouse, and swine MHC sequence homologies. Ninety-four clones were ordered by DNA fingerprinting to form contigs I, II, and III that correspond to ovine MHC class I-class III, class IIa, and class IIb. The minimum tiling paths of contigs I, II, and III are 15, 4, and 4 BAC clones, spanning approximately 1900, 400, and 300 kb, respectively. The order and orientation of most BAC clones in each contig were confirmed by BAC-end sequencing. An open gap exists between class IIa and class III. This work helps to provide a foundation for detailed study of ovine MHC genes and of evolution of MHCs in mammals.     

Segments missing from the draft human genome sequence can be isolated by transformation-associated recombination cloning in yeast

The reported draft human genome sequence includes many contigs that are separated by gaps of unknown sequence. These gaps may be due to chromosomal regions that are not present in the Escherichia coli libraries used for DNA sequencing because they cannot be cloned efficiently, if at all, in bacteria. Using a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)/ bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library generated in yeast, we found that approximately 6% of human DNA sequences tested transformed E. coli cells less efficiently than yeast cells, and were less stable in E. coli than in yeast. When the ends of several YAC/BAC isolates cloned in yeast were sequenced and compared with the reported draft sequence, major inconsistencies were found with the sequences of those YAC/BAC isolates that transformed E. coli cells inefficiently. Two human genomic fragments were re-isolated from human DNA by transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning. Re-sequencing of these regions showed that the errors in the draft are the results of both missassembly and loss of specific DNA sequences during cloning in E. coli. These results show that TAR cloning might be a valuable method that could be widely used during the final stages of the Human Genome Project.     

A Second Generation Integrated Map of the Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>) Genome: Analysis of Conserved Synteny with Model Fish Genomes

DNA fingerprints and end sequences from bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from two new libraries were generated to improve the first generation integrated physical and genetic map of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) genome. The current version of the physical map is composed of 167,989 clones of which 158,670 are assembled into contigs and 9,319 are singletons. The number of contigs was reduced from 4,173 to 3,220. End sequencing of clones from the new libraries generated a total of 11,958 high quality sequence reads. The end sequences were used to develop 238 new microsatellites of which 42 were added to the genetic map. Conserved synteny between the rainbow trout genome and model fish genomes was analyzed using 188,443 BAC end sequence (BES) reads. The fractions of BES reads with significant BLASTN hits against the zebrafish, medaka, and stickleback genomes were 8.8%, 9.7%, and 10.5%, respectively, while the fractions of significant BLASTX hits against the zebrafish, medaka, and stickleback protein databases were 6.2%, 5.8%, and 5.5%, respectively. The overall number of unique regions of conserved synteny identified through grouping of the rainbow trout BES into fingerprinting contigs was 2,259, 2,229, and 2,203 for stickleback, medaka, and zebrafish, respectively. These numbers are approximately three to five times greater than those we have previously identified using BAC paired ends. Clustering of the conserved synteny analysis results by linkage groups as derived from the integrated physical and genetic map revealed that despite the low sequence homology, large blocks of macrosynteny are conserved between chromosome arms of rainbow trout and the model fish species.     

A BAC-based physical map of the channel catfish genome

Catfish is the major aquaculture species in the United States. To enhance its genome studies involving genetic linkage and comparative mapping, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contig-based physical map of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) genome was generated using four-color fluorescence-based fingerprints. Fingerprints of 34,580 BAC clones (5.6x genome coverage) were generated for the FPC assembly of the BAC contigs. A total of 3307 contigs were assembled using a cutoff value of 1x10(-20). Each contig contains an average of 9.25 clones with an average size of 292 kb. The combined contig size for all contigs was 0.965 Gb, approximately the genome size of the channel catfish. The reliability of the contig assembly was assessed by both hybridization of gene probes to BAC clones contained in the fingerprinted assembly and validation of randomly selected contigs using overgo probes designed from BAC end sequences. The presented physical map should greatly enhance genome research in the catfish, particularly aiding in the identification of genomic regions containing genes underlying important performance traits.