Characterization of Microsatellites in the IGF-2 and GH Genes of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Four microsatellites were identified by screening the DNA sequences of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) deposited to GenBank. Two markers each are located in the growth hormone gene (GH) and in the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF-2), respectively. The markers were characterized by genotyping 34 Asian seabass individuals. All 4 microsatellites showed polymorphism: the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 (average, 5.0), while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.51 to 0.85 (average, 0.63) at the 4 loci. Cross-priming with all 4 primer pairs was tested in species belonging to 5 different genera, but no bands were amplified. These microsatellites are the first genomic DNA markers characterized in L. calcarifer; thus they may be valuable for research and aquaculture production of this species. Received April 10, 2000; accepted July 13, 2000.