Genetic and physical mapping of two centromere-proximal regions of chromosome IV in Aspergillus nidulans

Chromosome IV is the smallest chromosome of Aspergillus nidulans. The centromere-proximal portion of the chromosome was mapped physically using overlapping clones of a cosmid genomic library. Two contiguous segments of a physical map, based on restriction mapping of cosmid clones, were generated, together covering more than 0.4 Mb DNA. A reverse genetic mapping approach was used to establish a correlation between physical and genetic maps; i.e., marker genes were integrated into physically mapped segments and subsequently mapped by mitotic and meiotic recombination. The resulting data, together with additional classical genetic mapping, lead to a substantial revision of the genetic map of the chromosome, including the position of the centromere. Comparison of physical and genetic maps indicates that meiotic recombination is low in subcentromeric DNA, its frequency being reduced from 1 crossover per 0.8 Mb to approximately 1 crossover per 5 Mb per meiosis. The portion of the chromosome containing the functional centromere was not mapped because repeat-rich regions hindered further chromosome walking. The size of the missing segment was estimated to be between 70 and 400 kb.     

Mapping of Escherichia Coli Chromosomal Tn5 and F Insertions by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis

A low resolution Not I physical map of Escherichia coli was recently constructed. In this report we demonstrated that this map can be used to map Tn5 and F insertions physically. The transposon, Tn5, contains Not I recognition sequences in its IS50 sequences. F plasmid contains an unmapped Not I site. Hence, the location of Tn5 and F in the chromosome can be mapped by identifying the location of the introduced Not I sites using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The physical mapping of genetically mapped Tn5 insertions confirm the previously constructed Not I map and helps align the E. coli physical and genetic maps. The use of Tn5 can assist the construction of both physical and genetic maps for microorganisms lacking such maps. Variations on this approach will facilitate physical mapping with a wide variety of organisms, enzymes, and genetic elements.     

Genetic and physical maps of human chromosome 4 based on dinucleotide repeats.

Characterization of inherited variations within tandem arrays of dinucleotide repeats has substantially advanced the construction of genetic maps using linkage approaches over the last several years. Using a backbone of 10 newly identified microsatellite repeats on human chromosome 4 and 6 previously identified short tandem repeat element polymorphisms, we have constructed several genetic maps and a physical map of human chromosome 4. The genetic and physical maps are in complete concordance with each other. The genetic maps include a 15-locus microsatellite-based linkage map, a framework map of high support incorporating a total of 39 independent loci, a 25-locus high-heterozygosity, easily used index map, and a gene-based comprehensive map that provides the best genetic location for 35 genes mapped to chromosome 4. The 16 microsatellite markers are each localized to one of nine regions of chromosome 4, delineated by a panel of somatic cell hybrids. These results demonstrate the utility of PCR-based repeat elements for the construction of genetic maps and provide a valuable resource for continued high-resolution mapping of chromosome 4 and of genetic disorders to this chromosome.     

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.     

Genetic mapping of 14 short tandem repeat polymorphisms on human chromosome 22

We have constructed a linkage map of 14 short tandem repeat polymorphisms (11 with heterozygosity > 70%) on the long arm of human chromosome 22 using 23 non-CEPH pedigrees. Twelve of the markers could be positioned uniquely with a likelihood of at least 1,000:1, and distributed at an average distance of 6.62 cM (range 1.5–16.1 cM). The sex-combined map covers a total of 79.6 cM, the female map 93.2 cM and the male map 64.6 cM. Based on comparisons between physical maps and other genetic maps, we estimate that our map covers 70%–80% of the chromosome. The map integrates markers from previous genetic maps and uniquely positions one marker (D22S307). Data from physical mapping on the location of four genetic markers correlates well with our linkage map, and provides information on an additional marker (D22S315). This map will facilitate high resolution mapping of additional polymorphic loci and disease genes on chromosome 22, and act as a reference for building and verifying physical maps.     

Map error reduction: using genetic and sequence-based physical maps to order closely linked markers

The Marshfield comprehensive genetic maps are frequently used for linkage and association studies, however, for some regions of these maps the marker order has low level of likelihood ratio support. In order to investigate the level of statistical support and the accuracy of the genetic maps compared to sequence-based physical maps, two approximately 30 cM autosomal regions were selected. The first region was selected from chromosome 3 and consisted predominately of draft sequence. The second region was selected from chromosome 21 and consisted of finished sequence data. The physical order of these markers was based upon their position on Celera (CEL) and Human Genome Project-Santa Cruz (HGP-sc) sequence-based physical maps. The chromosome 3 and 21 regions contained 100 and 61 markers, respectively, on the Marshfield genetic map. The genetic and physical map order was consistent for 88.9 and 89.2% of the markers in the region on chromosome 3 and 21, respectively. Using a novel scoring criterion to assess inconsistent marker order between genetic and physical maps, it was determined that the physical order was likely the correct order for 3.3 and 7.1% of the markers in the chromosome 3 and 21 regions, respectively. To increase the accuracy of the order of markers selected for fine mapping a method is presented which combines information from genetic and sequence-based physical maps.     

Alignment of Escherichia coli K12 DNA sequences to a genomic restriction map.

We use the extensive published information describing the genome of Escherichia coli and new restriction map alignment software to align DNA sequence, genetic, and physical maps. Restriction map alignment software is used which considers restriction maps as strings analogous to DNA or protein sequences except that two values, enzyme name and DNA base address, are associated with each position on the string. The resulting alignments reveal a nearly linear relationship between the physical and genetic maps of the E. coli chromosome. Physical map comparisons with the 1976, 1980, and 1983 genetic maps demonstrate a better fit with the more recent maps. The results of these alignments are genomic kilobase coordinates, orientation and rank of the alignment that best fits the genetic data. A statistical measure based on extreme value distribution is applied to the alignments. Additional computer analyses allow us to estimate the accuracy of the published E. coli genomic restriction map, simulate rearrangements of the bacterial chromosome, and search for repetitive DNA. The procedures we used are general enough to be applicable to other genome mapping projects.     

Physical location of homoeologous groups 5 and 6 molecular markers mapped in Triticum aestivum L

In situ hybridization was used to map 21 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) probes to linkage groups 5 and 6 of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) in order to compare physical distances and genetic distances between adjacent markers. All 21 probes hybridized to the corresponding homoeologous chromosome arms. The linear order and linkage relationships among the DNA probes on the in situ-based physical maps were generally the same as those on the RFLP-based genetic maps. However, significant differences were observed between the centiMorgan distances on a linkage map and the physical distances of the probes using in situ-based techniques. The results indicated a clustering of polymorphic RFLP markers in the middle of all of the homoeologous group 5 and 6 chromosome arms. This suggests that the available linkage maps do not completely cover the physical length of the chromosomes. As with the genetic maps, the physical map clearly showed the presence of nonhomoeologous rearrangements in the terminal regions of chromosome arms 5AL and 6BS. However, the physical mapping gave an indication of the physical size of the rearrangements as well as their arm location.     

Integration of the Aedes aegypti mosquito genetic linkage and physical maps

Two approaches were used to correlate the Aedes aegypti genetic linkage map to the physical map. STS markers were developed for previously mapped RFLP-based genetic markers so that large genomic clones from cosmid libraries could be found and placed to the metaphase chromosome physical maps using standard FISH methods. Eight cosmids were identified that contained eight RFLP marker sequences, and these cosmids were located on the metaphase chromosomes. Twenty-one cDNAs were mapped directly to metaphase chromosomes using a FISH amplification procedure. The chromosome numbering schemes of the genetic linkage and physical maps corresponded directly and the orientations of the genetic linkage maps for chromosomes 2 and 3 were inverted relative to the physical maps. While the chromosome 2 linkage map represented essentially 100% of chromosome 2, approximately 65% of the chromosome 1 linkage map mapped to only 36% of the short p-arm and 83% of the chromosome 3 physical map contained the complete genetic linkage map. Since the genetic linkage map is a RFLP cDNA-based map, these data also provide a minimal estimate for the size of the euchromatic regions. The implications of these findings on positional cloning in A. aegypti are discussed.     

Polytene chromosomal maps of 11 Drosophila species: the order of genomic scaffolds inferred from genetic and physical maps

The sequencing of the 12 genomes of members of the genus Drosophila was taken as an opportunity to reevaluate the genetic and physical maps for 11 of the species, in part to aid in the mapping of assembled scaffolds. Here, we present an overview of the importance of cytogenetic maps to Drosophila biology and to the concepts of chromosomal evolution. Physical and genetic markers were used to anchor the genome assembly scaffolds to the polytene chromosomal maps for each species. In addition, a computational approach was used to anchor smaller scaffolds on the basis of the analysis of syntenic blocks. We present the chromosomal map data from each of the 11 sequenced non-Drosophila melanogaster species as a series of sections. Each section reviews the history of the polytene chromosome maps for each species, presents the new polytene chromosome maps, and anchors the genomic scaffolds to the cytological maps using genetic and physical markers. The mapping data agree with Muller's idea that the majority of Drosophila genes are syntenic. Despite the conservation of genes within homologous chromosome arms across species, the karyotypes of these species have changed through the fusion of chromosomal arms followed by subsequent rearrangement events.     

Chromatin structure and physical mapping of chromosome 6 of potato and comparative analyses with tomato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has the densest genetic linkage map and one of the earliest established cytogenetic maps among all plant species. However, there has been limited effort to integrate these maps. Here, we report fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping of 30 genetic marker-anchored bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones on the pachytene chromosome 6 of potato. The FISH mapping results allowed us to define the genetic positions of the centromere and the pericentromeric heterochromatin and to relate chromatin structure to the distribution of recombination along the chromosome. A drastic reduction of recombination was associated with the pericentromeric heterochromatin that accounts for ~28% of the physical length of the pachytene chromosome. The pachytene chromosomes 6 of potato and tomato (S. lycopersicum) share a similar morphology. However, distinct differences of heterochromatin distribution were observed between the two chromosomes. FISH mapping of several potato BACs on tomato pachytene chromosome 6 revealed an overall colinearity between the two chromosomes. A chromosome inversion was observed in the euchromatic region of the short arms. These results show that the potato and tomato genomes contain more chromosomal rearrangements than those reported previously on the basis of comparative genetic linkage mapping.     

Comparison of genetic and physical maps of group 7 chromosomes from Triticum aestivum L.

We present a high density physical map of homoeologous group 7 chromosomes from Triticum aestivum L. using a series of 54 deletion lines, 6 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and 91 cDNA or genomic DNA clones from wheat, barley and oat. So far, 51 chromosome segments have been distinguished by molecular markers, and 54 homoeoloci have been allocated among chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. The linear order of molecular markers along the chromosomes is almost identical in the A- B- and D-genome of wheat. In addition, there is colinearity between the physical and genetic maps of chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D from T. aestivum, indicating gene synteny among the Triticeae. However, comparison of the physical map of chromosome 7D from T. aestivum with the genetic map from Triticum tauschii some markers have been shown to be physically allocated with distortion in more distal chromosome regions. The integration of genetic and physical maps could assist in estimating the frequency and distribution of recombination in defined regions along the chromosome. Physical distance did not correlate with genetic distance. A dense map facilitates the detection of multiple rearrangements. We present the first evidence for an interstitial inversion either on chromosome arm 7AS or 7DS of Chinese Spring. Molecularly tagged chromosome regions (MTCRs) provide landmarks for long-range mapping of DNA fragments.     

A hybrid cell mapping panel for regional localization of probes to human chromosome 8

We have characterized a panel of somatic cell hybrids that carry fragments of human chromosome 8 and used this panel for the regional localization of anonymous clones derived from a chromosome 8 library. The hybrid panel includes 11 cell lines, which were characterized by Southern blot hybridization with chromosome 8-specific probes of known map location and by fluorescent in situ hybridization with a probe derived from a chromosome 8 library. The chromosome fragments in the hybrid cell lines divide the chromosome into 10 intervals. Using this mapping panel, we have mapped 56 newly derived anonymous clones to regions of chromosome 8. We have also obtained physical map locations for 7 loci from the genetic map of chromosome 8, thus aligning the genetic and physical maps of the chromosome.     

Comparison of wheat physical maps with barley linkage maps for group 7 chromosomes

Comparative genetic maps among the Triticeae or Gramineae provide the possibility for combining the genetics, mapping information and molecular-marker resources between different species. Dense genetic linkage maps of wheat and barley, which have a common array of molecular markers, along with deletion-based chromosome maps of Triticum aestivum L. will facilitate the construction of an integrated molecular marker-based map for the Triticeae. A set of 21 cDNA and genomic DNA clones, which had previously been used to map barley chromosome 1 (7H), were used to physically map wheat chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. A comparative map was constructed to estimate the degree of linkage conservation and synteny of chromosome segments between the group 7 chromosomes of the two species. The results reveal extensive homoeologies between these chromosomes, and the first evidence for an interstitial inversion on the short arm of a barley chromosome compared to the wheat homoeologue has been obtained. In a cytogenetically-based physical map of group 7 chromosomes that contain restriction-fragment-length polymorphic DNA (RFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, the marker density in the most distal third of the chromosome arms was two-times higher than in the proximal region. The recombination rate in the distal third of each arm appears to be 8–15 times greater than in the proximal third of each arm where recombination of wheat chromosomes is suppressed.     

Identification and High-Density Mapping of Gene-Rich Regions in Chromosome Group 1 of Wheat

We studied the distribution of genes and recombination in wheat (Triticum aestivum) group 1 chromosomes by comparing high-density physical and genetic maps. Physical maps of chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D were generated by mapping 50 DNA markers on 56 single-break deletion lines. A consensus physical map was compared with the 1D genetic map of Triticum tauschii (68 markers) and a Triticeae group 1 consensus map (288 markers) to generate a cytogenetic ladder map (CLM). Most group 1 markers (86%) were present in five clusters that encompassed only 10% of the group 1 chromosome. This distribution may reflect that of genes because more than half of the probes were cDNA clones and 30% were PstI genomic. All 14 agronomically important genes in group 1 chromosomes were present in these clusters. Most recombination occurred in gene-cluster regions. Markers fell at an average distance of 244 kb in these regions. The CLM involving the Triticeae consensus genetic map revealed that the above distribution of genes and recombination is the same in other Triticeae species. Because of a significant number of common markers, our CLM can be used for comparative mapping and to estimate physical distances among markers in many Poaceae species including rice and maize.     

A radiation hybrid map of chicken Chromosome 4

The mapping resolution of the physical map for chicken Chromosome 4 (GGA4) was improved by a combination of radiation hybrid (RH) mapping and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) mapping. The ChickRH6 hybrid panel was used to construct an RH map of GGA4. Eleven microsatellites known to be located on GGA4 were included as anchors to the genetic linkage map for this chromosome. Based on the known conserved synteny between GGA4 and human Chromosomes 4 and X, sequences were identified for the orthologous chicken genes from these human chromosomes by BLAST analysis. These sequences were subsequently used for the development of STS markers to be typed on the RH panel. Using a logarithm of the odds (LOD) threshold of 5.0, nine linkage groups could be constructed which were aligned with the genetic linkage map of this chromosome. The resulting RH map consisted of the 11 microsatellite markers and 50 genes. To further increase the number of genes on the map and to provide additional anchor points for the physical BAC map of this chromosome, BAC clones were identified for 22 microsatellites and 99 genes. The combined RH and BAC mapping approach resulted in the mapping of 61 genes on GGA4 increasing the resolution of the chicken–human comparative map for this chromosome. This enhanced comparative mapping resolution enabled the identification of multiple rearrangements between GGA4 and human Chromosomes 4q and Xp.     

Physical Mapping of Genetic Markers on the Short Arm of Chromosome 5

The deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5 is associated with the cri-du-chat syndrome. In addition, loss of this portion of a chromosome is a common cytogenetic marker in a number of malignancies. However, to date, no genes associated with these disorders have been identified. Physical maps are the first step in isolating causative genes, and genes involved in autosomal recessive disorders are now routinely mapped through the identification of linked markers. Extensive genetic maps based upon polymorphic short tandem repeats (STRs) have provided researchers with a large number of markers to which such disorders can be genetically mapped. However, the physical locations of many of these STRs have not been determined. Toward the goal of integrating the human genetic maps with the physical maps, a 5p somatic cell hybrid deletion mapping panel that was derived from patients with 5p deletions or translocations was used to physically map 47 STRs that have been used to construct genetic maps of 5p. These data will be useful in the localization of disease genes that map to 5p and may be involved in the etiology of the cri-du-chat syndrome.     

BAC-based upgrading and physical integration of a genetic SNP map in Atlantic salmon

A better understanding of the genotype–phenotype correlation of Atlantic salmon is of key importance for a whole range of production, life history and conservation biology issues attached to this species. High-density linkage maps integrated with physical maps and covering the complete genome are needed to identify economically important genes and to study the genome architecture. Linkage maps of moderate density and a physical bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) fingerprint map for the Atlantic salmon have already been generated. Here, we describe a strategy to combine the linkage mapping with the physical integration of newly identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We resequenced 284 BAC-ends by PCR in 14 individuals and detected 180 putative SNPs. After successful validation of 152 sequence variations, genotyping and genetic mapping were performed in eight salmon families comprising 376 individuals. Among these, 110 SNPs were positioned on a previously constructed linkage map containing SNPs derived from expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences. Tracing the SNP markers back to the BACs enabled the integration of the genetic and physical maps by assigning 73 BAC contigs to Atlantic salmon linkage groups.     

A map of the distal region of the long arm of human chromosome 21 constructed by radiation hybrid mapping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

We have used radiation hybrid (RH) mapping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine the order and positions of 28 DNA markers from the distal region of the long arm of human chromosome 21. The maps generated by these two methods are in good agreement. This study, combined with that of D. R. Cox et al. (1990, Science 250:245-250), results in an RH map that covers the long arm of chromosome 21 (21q). We have used a subtelomeric probe to show that our map includes the telomere and have identified single-copy genes and markers within 200 kbp of the telomere. Comparison of the physical and RH maps with genetic linkage maps shows "hot spots" of meiotic recombination in the distal region, one of which is close to the telomere, in agreement with previous cytogenetic observations of increased recombination frequency near telomeres.