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H Ellegren

Publications and source records attributed to H Ellegren.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Comparative mapping reveals extensive linkage conservation--but with gene order rearrangements--between the pig and the human genomes.

A porcine comparative map based on 83 coding loci was constructed. Comparisons to the human and mouse genetic maps revealed linkage conservation between humans and pigs more extensive than that between any of these and the mouse. The average lengths of conserved chromosome segments between pig and human and between pig and mouse were estimated at 37 and 21 cM, respectively. Rearrangements of gene orders within homologous chromosome segments were found to be common among these distantly related mammals. The development of a comparative map is an advance in pig genome analysis and contributes to the dissection of mammalian genome evolution.

Animals↗

Resolving genetic relationships with microsatellite markers: a parentage testing system for the swallow Hirundo rustica.

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers from the swallow were isolated and characterized. Extraordinary variability was revealed at the HrU6 locus with 45 different alleles scored among 46 unrelated individuals. The probability that the same genotype combination would occur in two random and unrelated individuals at six selected loci was as low as 1.3 x 10(-8) and the combined exclusion probability was 0.9996. Stable Mendelian inheritance was observed in about 1000 meioses. No significant linkage was revealed and for almost all combinations of marker-pairs, linkage closer than 5 cM could be excluded. At two loci, null (nonamplifying) alleles were encountered. Thirteen (30%) extra-pair offspring were identified in 5 (56%) broods when applying the marker set on a nearly complete swallow colony. We were able to identify a single male from the other families in the colony as the most likely father for nine of the 13 extra-pair offspring.

Alleles↗

Filling the gaps in the porcine linkage map: isolation of microsatellites from chromosome 18 using flow sorting and SINE-PCR.

Flow-sorted chromosome 18 material from the pig (SSC18) was amplified with SINE-PCR to generate DNA for molecular cloning. An SSC18-enriched library was constructed and subsequently screened with a (CA)15 probe to identify polymorphic microsatellites. Eleven unique microsatellites were obtained, six of which constituted direct extensions of SINE poly(A) tracts. Eight primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci in unrelated pigs. The polymorphic markers were typed in a Swedish reference pedigree for porcine genome mapping, but only two of them (S0177 and S0179) mapped to SSC18. The remaining markers mapped to chromosomes 3, 4, 7, 9, and 11. Together with two markers from other sources (S0062 and sw787), a four-point linkage group on SSC18 could be established.

Animals↗

A physically anchored linkage map of pig chromosome 1 uncovers sex- and position-specific recombination rates.

A linkage map of pig chromosome 1 (SSC1) has been constructed using 15 polymorphic markers. Eleven markers constitute PCR-based microsatellites (three associated with coding sequences), six markers have also been mapped by in situ hybridization, and homologues to four of the markers have been mapped in human. The physical assignments show that almost the entire SSC1 is covered by the linkage map, which measures 164 cM (sex-averaged). In a large region on the q arm, representing about 40% of the chromosome, there is a significant excess of male recombination. In contrast, there is a significantly higher recombination rate in females in both terminal regions. In the penultimate marker intervals on the q arm as well as the p arm, females show a fivefold excess of recombination compared to males. The rate of genetic recombination in relation to the physical DNA content is 1 cM per 2-4 Mb over at least 80% of the chromosome. In the terminal part of the q arm, however, there is a tremendous increase in the recombination rate, with 1 cM equaling about 0.4 Mb. Two homologous chromosome segments in human could be detected, ESR-CGA on human chromosome 6 (HSA6) and IFNA-RLN-GRP78 on human chromosome 9 (HSA9). Since the porcine blood group locus EAA is located close to (or possibly within) the latter conserved segment and the suggested human counterpart, the ABO system, is similarly close to the segment on HSA9, our data provide indirect evidence that these blood group systems are homologous.

Animals↗

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for growth and fatness in pigs.

The European wild boar was crossed with the domesticated Large White pig to genetically dissect phenotypic differences between these populations for growth and fat deposition. The most important effects were clustered on chromosome 4, with a single region accounting for a large part of the breed difference in growth rate, fatness, and length of the small intestine. The study is an advance in genome analyses and documents the usefulness of crosses between divergent outbred populations for the detection and characterization of quantitative trait loci. The genetic mapping of a major locus for fat deposition in the pig could have implications for understanding human obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Linkage maps of porcine chromosomes 3, 6, and 9 based on 31 polymorphic markers.

Linkage maps of porcine Chromosomes (Chrs) 3, 6, and 9, based on 31 polymorphic markers, are reported. The markers include 14 microsatellites, 12 RFLPs, three protein polymorphisms, and two blood group loci. The genetic interpretations of 11 RFLPs are documented. The markers were scored in a three-generation Wild Boar/Large White pedigree, and genetic maps were constructed on the basis of two-point and multi-point linkage analysis. Altogether the maps span a genetic distance of 216 cM, and previous physical assignments indicate that the linkage groups cover major parts of the three chromosomes. Significant differences in recombination rates between the sexes were observed for all three chromosomes. The recombination rate on the q arm of Chr 6 was markedly low. Sixteen loci are informative with regard to comparative mapping, that is, they have previously been mapped in the human and/or mouse genomes.

Animals↗

A primary linkage map of the porcine genome reveals a low rate of genetic recombination.

A comprehensive genetic linkage map of the porcine genome has been developed by typing 128 genetic markers in a cross between the European Wild Boar and a domestic breed (Large White). The marker set includes 68 polymerase chain reaction-formatted microsatellites, 60 anchored reference markers informative for comparative mapping and 47 markers which have been physically assigned by in situ hybridization. Novel multipoint assignments are provided for 54 of the markers. The map covers about 1800 cM, and the average spacing between markers is 11 cM. We used the map data to estimate the genome size in pigs, thereby addressing the total recombination distance in a third mammalian species. A sex-average genome length of 1873 +/- 139 cM was obtained by comparing the recombinational and physical distances in defined regions of the genome. This is strikingly different from the length of the human genome (3800-4000 cM) and is more similar to the mouse estimate (1600 cM). The recombination rate in females was significantly higher than in males.

Animals↗

Integrating the porcine physical and linkage map using cosmid-derived markers.

An essential part in the development of informative linkage maps is to include genetic markers that have been anchored by physical mapping. Here a set of 18 porcine cosmid-derived genetic markers are reported that have been mapped by linkage analysis, and that also have been physically localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Three different strategies were used to establish polymorphic markers from the cosmid clones. Firstly, dinucleotide microsatellite loci were derived by sequencing cosmid subclones containing (CA)n repeats. Secondly, variable SINE 3' poly(A) tracts (SINEVA) were identified by direct SINE-PCR amplification of cosmid clones. Thirdly, the cosmids were used in Southern blot hybridization to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Compared with the most recent consensus compilation of the porcine gene map, the present assignment of markers to chromosomes 2p, 3, 4, 10, 12q, and 16 represents the first loci mapped to these chromosomes, for which linkage as well as in situ data are now available.

Animals↗

Parentage testing and linkage analysis in the horse using a set of highly polymorphic microsatellites.

Ten (TG)n positive clones, isolated from an equine genomic library and sequenced, contained 12-19 uninterrupted TG repeats. Primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were synthesized and nine of these (TG)n loci (HTG7-15) were successfully amplified and utilized in this study together with five previously reported equine microsatellite loci (HTG2-6). The PCR products were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by automated laser fluorescence detection or autoradiography. All microsatellites showed polymorphism and stable Mendelian inheritance. Differences in microsatellite variability between horse breeds were detected. A linkage analysis comprising HTG2-15, one coat colour gene and 16 genetic blood markers enabled addition of HTG2 to linkage group U2 and a new linkage group (U6) was established comprising the loci HTG7 and HTG12. Close linkage was excluded within a set of eight microsatellites. The estimated probability of exclusion in four breeds for a parentage test based on these eight loci varied between 0.96 and 0.99.

Animals↗

Major histocompatibility complex monomorphism and low levels of DNA fingerprinting variability in a reintroduced and rapidly expanding population of beavers.

Loss of genetic variation due to population bottlenecks may be a severe threat for the survival of endangered species. Assessment and maintenance of genetic variability are thus crucial for conservation programs related to endangered populations. Scandinavian beavers went through an extensive bottleneck during the last century due to overhunting. In Sweden the species became extirpated but in Norway extinction was avoided by legal protection. Following reintroductions of small numbers of remaining Norwegian animals in 1922-1939, the Swedish population has increased tremendously, now harboring 100,000 animals. We show here that this viable population of beavers possesses extremely low levels of genetic variability at DNA fingerprinting loci and monomorphism at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II loci. A similar pattern was also evident among Norwegian beavers but low levels of genetic variability were not a characteristic of the species since Russian conspecifics displayed substantial DNA fingerprinting polymorphism. However, the Russian animals were monomorphic at MHC loci, indicating that the European beaver is exceptional in its low level of MHC variability. The results demonstrate that a conservation program can be successful despite low levels of genetic variation in the founder population.

Animals↗

The abundance of various polymorphic microsatellite motifs differs between plants and vertebrates.

The abundance of different simple sequence motifs in plants was accessed through data base searches of DNA sequences and quantitative hybridization with synthetic dinucleotide repeats. Database searches indicated that microsatellites are five times less abundant in the genomes of plants than in mammals. The most common plant repeat motif was AA/TT followed by AT/TA and CT/GA. This group comprised about 75% of all microsatellites with a length of more than 6 repeats. The GT/CA motif being the most abundant dinucleotide repeat in mammals was found to be considerably less frequent in plants. To address the question if plant simple repeat sequences are variable as in mammals, (GT)n and (CT)n microsatellites were isolated from B.napus. Five loci were investigated by PCR-analysis and amplified products were obtained for all microsatellites from B. oleracea, B.napus and B.rapa DNA, but only for one primer pair from B.nigra. Polymorphism was detected for all microsatellites.

Animals↗

Assignment of 20 microsatellite markers to the porcine linkage map.

Twenty-one porcine microsatellite markers were developed by screening DNA libraries and by a computer search of databases. The microsatellites were typed in a large three-generation family established by a cross between the European wild pig and a Swedish Yorkshire breed. Linkage analysis benefited from the fact that due to the divergence between the parental populations, the degree of microsatellite polymorphism was significantly higher in the F1 animals than in either of the parental populations. Parallel typing of a set of 35 restriction fragment length polymorphism, protein, and blood group markers rendered it possible to assign as many as 20 of the microsatellites to the porcine linkage map. Fourteen microsatellites were localized to a chromosome segment, whereas six constituted parts of unassigned linkage groups. Analysis of four microsatellites within genes allowed the assignment of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport ATPase locus to chromosome 14, the assignment of the interferon-gamma and the diacylglycerol kinase loci to a new linkage group (XI), and the localization of the tumor necrosis factor beta locus close to the major histocompatibility complex (SLA) on chromosome 7 to be confirmed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping of two microsatellite-containing cosmids assigned two linkage groups to chromosomes 9 and 12, respectively. In total, 27 new markers were added to the porcine linkage map, thereby almost doubling the number of markers on the map. Linkage groups are now present on 10 of 18 of the pig autosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗