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M A Groenen

Publications and source records attributed to M A Groenen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Extending the chicken-human comparative map by placing 15 genes on the chicken linkage map.

To increase the number of type I loci on the chicken linkage map, chicken genes containing microsatellite sequences (TAn, CAn, GAn, An) were selected from the nucleotide sequence database and primers were developed to amplify the repeats. Initially, 40 different microsatellites located within genes were tested on a panel of animals from diverse breeds, and identified 17 polymorphic microsatellites. These polymorphisms allowed us to add 15 new genes to the chicken linkage map. In addition, two genes were added to the chicken map by fluorescent in situ hybridization. As the map position of the human homologues of 13 of these genes is known, these markers extend the comparative map between chicken and man. Our results confirm and refine conserved regions between chicken and man on chicken chromosomes 2 and 7 and on linkage group E29C09W09. Furthermore, an additional conserved region is identified on chromosome 7.

Animals↗

Detection of quantitative trait loci for backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content in pigs (Sus scrofa).

In an experimental cross between Meishan and Dutch Large White and Landrace lines, 619 F(2) animals and their parents were typed for molecular markers covering the entire porcine genome. Associations were studied between these markers and two fatness traits: intramuscular fat content and backfat thickness. Association analyses were performed using interval mapping by regression under two genetic models: (1) an outbred line-cross model where the founder lines were assumed to be fixed for different QTL alleles; and (2) a half-sib model where a unique allele substitution effect was fitted within each of the 19 half-sib families. Both approaches revealed for backfat thickness a highly significant QTL on chromosome 7 and suggestive evidence for a QTL at chromosome 2. Furthermore, suggestive QTL affecting backfat thickness were detected on chromosomes 1 and 6 under the line-cross model. For intramuscular fat content the line-cross approach showed suggestive evidence for QTL on chromosomes 2, 4, and 6, whereas the half-sib analysis showed suggestive linkage for chromosomes 4 and 7. The nature of the QTL effects and assumptions underlying both models could explain discrepancies between the findings under the two models. It is concluded that both approaches can complement each other in the analysis of data from outbred line crosses.

Adipose Tissue↗

Whole genome scan in chickens for quantitative trait loci affecting growth and feed efficiency.

A feed efficiency experiment was conducted in a population consisting of progeny from 10 full sib families of a cross between two broiler lines. Microsatellite genotypes were determined on Generation (G) 1 and 2. In G3, BW at 23 and 48 d and feed intake were measured and were used to calculate growth between 23 and 48 d, feed intake adjusted for BW, and feed efficiency. Average adjusted progeny trait values were calculated for G2 animals after adjusting phenotypic observations on offspring for fixed effects, covariables, maternal genetic effects, the additive genetic contribution of the mate, and heterogeneity between sexes and were used as dependent variable in the quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. A full sib interval mapping approach was applied using genotypes from 420 markers on 27 autosomal linkage groups. Four QTL exceeded significance thresholds. The most significant QTL was located on Chromosome 1 at 235 cM and had a 4% genomewise significance for feed intake between 23 and 48 d. Furthermore, this QTL exceeded suggestive linkage for growth between 23 and 48 d and BW at 48 d. A second QTL was located on linkage group WAU26 at 16 cM and showed suggestive linkage for feed intake between 23 and 48 d. On Chromosome 4, at 147 cM a third QTL, which had an effect on both feed intake traits, was found. Finally, a fourth QTL, which affected feed intake adjusted for BW, was located on Chromosome 2 at 41 cM.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Whole genome scan in chickens for quantitative trait loci affecting carcass traits.

An experiment was conducted to enable quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for carcass traits. The population consisted of 10 full-sib families originating from a cross between male and female founders chosen from two different outcross broiler lines. Founder animals, parents, offspring, and grandoffspring are denoted as generation (G) 0, 1, 2, and 3 animals, respectively. Microsatellite marker genotypes were collected on G1 and G2 animals. Phenotypic observations were collected on G3 animals. Recorded traits were BW at 48 d, carcass weight, carcass percentage, breast meat color, and leg score. Average adjusted progeny trait values were calculated for each G2 animal and for each trait after adjusting phenotypic observations on G3 animals for fixed effects, covariables, the additive genetic contribution of the other parent, and differences between sexes. The average adjusted progeny trait values were used as the dependent variable in the QTL analysis. A QTL analysis was undertaken by modeling the segregation from G1 to G2, using a full-sib across family regression interval mapping approach. In total, 27 autosomal linkage groups covered with 420 markers were analyzed. Genomewise significance thresholds were derived using the permutation test and a Bonferroni correction. Two QTL, affecting two of the five analyzed traits, exceeded suggestive linkage. The most significant QTL was located on Chromosome 1 at 466 cM and showed an effect on carcass percentage. The other QTL, which affected meat color, was located on Chromosome 2 and gave a peak at 345 and 369 cM.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequence of the chicken HMGI-C cDNA and expression of the HMGI-C and IGF1 genes in autosomal dwarf chicken embryos.

Mutations in the genes for high mobility group protein I-C (HMGI-C) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are known to be responsible for dwarf phenotypes in the mouse. Because the locus for autosomal dwarfism (adw) in the chicken maps to a region which is syntenic to a region in the human and mouse in which the HMGI-C and IGF1 genes are located, HMGI-C and IGF1 are likely candidate genes for adw in the chicken. In this study their possible role in the establishment of this phenotype has been investigated. We have cloned and sequenced the complete coding region of the chicken HMGI-C cDNA. Comparison with its human counterpart revealed a nucleotide sequence conservation of 84%. Only nine amino acids are present principally in the N-terminal segment before the first DNA-binding domain. Northern blot analysis showed no difference in the expression of the HMGI-C gene between adw and wild-type chicken embryos. Also no mutations in either the HMGI-C or the IGF1 RNA nucleotide sequence were detected in adw chicken embryos.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A comprehensive microsatellite linkage map of the chicken genome.

A comprehensive linkage map of the chicken genome has been developed by segregation analysis of 430 microsatellite markers within a cross between two extreme broiler lines. The population used to construct the linkage map consists of 10 families with a total of 458 F2 individuals. The number of informative meioses per marker varied from 100 to 900 with an average of 400. The markers were placed into 27 autosomal linkage groups and a Z-chromosome-specific linkage group. In addition, 6 markers were unlinked, 1 of which was Z chromosome specific. The coverage within linkage groups is 3062 cM. Although, as in other species, the genetic map of the heterogametic sex (female) is shorter than the genetic map of the homogametic sex (male), the overall difference in length is small (1.15%). Forty-five of the markers represent identified genes or ESTs. Database homology searches with the anonymous markers resulted in the identification of a further 9 genes, bringing the total number of genes/ESTs on the current map to 54. The mapping of these genes led to the identification of two new regions of conserved synteny between human and chicken and confirmed other previously identified regions of conserved synteny between human and chicken. The linkage map has 210 markers in common with the linkage maps based on the East Lansing and Compton reference populations, and most of the corresponding linkage groups in the different maps can be readily aligned.

Animals↗

Developing microsatellite markers from cDNA: a tool for adding expressed sequence tags to the genetic linkage map of the chicken.

A chicken embryonic cDNA library was screened with a (TG)13 probe in order to develop polymorphic microsatellite markers. The redundancy of the embryonic cDNA library with a chicken brain cDNA library, which was used for microsatellite development in a previous study, was extremely high. Of the 300 (TG)13 positive clones, only 80 were unique for the embryonic cDNA library. Still, nine expressed sequences derived from the embryonic cDNA library were mapped in the Wageningen (WAU) resource population. In addition seven microsatellite markers from the chicken brain cDNA library, which were monomorphic or unlinked in the two international reference families in the previous study, were also mapped in the WAU population. Three of the 16 mapped chicken expressed sequence tags (ESTs) showed relatively high percentages of sequence similarity to sequences found in other species. As two of these genes, RAB6 and ZFX/ZFY, have been mapped in humans, they contribute to the comparative map of the chicken.

Animals↗

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting susceptibility to Marek's disease virus induced tumors in F2 intercross chickens.

Marek's disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease caused by the MD virus (MDV), which costs the poultry industry nearly $1 billion annually. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting MD susceptibility, the inbred lines 6(3) (MD resistant) and 7(2) (MD susceptible) were mated to create more than 300 F2 chickens. The F2 chickens were challenged with MDV JM strain, moderately virulent) at 1 wk of age and assessed for MD susceptibility. The QTL analysis was divided into three stages. In stage 1, 65 DNA markers selected from the chicken genetic maps were typed on the 40 most MD-susceptible and the 40 most MD-resistant F2 chickens, and 21 markers residing near suggestive QTL were revealed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). In stage 2, the suggestive markers plus available flanking markers were typed on 272 F2 chickens, and three suggestive QTL were identified by ANOVA. In stage 3, using the interval mapping program Map Manager and permutation tests, two significant and two suggestive MD QTL were identified on four chromosomal subregions. Three to five loci collected explained between 11 and 23% of the phenotypic MD variation, or 32-68% of the genetic variance. This study constitutes the first report in the domestic chicken on the mapping of non-major histocompatibility complex QTL affecting MD susceptibility.

Analysis of Variance↗

Bulked segregant analysis using microsatellites: mapping of the dominant white locus in the chicken.

In order to perform a linkage study, the genotypes of a large number of individuals from a segregating population need to be determined. In case the phenotype to be mapped is influenced by a single locus or a major gene, sampling of the DNA from individual animals with the same phenotype into a single pool (bulked segregant) can reduce the number of typings. In this study we used bulked segregant analysis in order to map the Dominant White locus in the chicken. In a pilot experiment, we showed that allele frequencies can be accurately estimated from pooled samples using fluorescently labeled microsatellite markers. A segregating population for the Dominant White locus was obtained by performing a cross between a white male chicken (Genotype li for Dominant White) and a black female chicken (ii). The resulting progeny of 21 white and 18 black chickens were divided in two pools. Genotypes for both the parents and the pools were determined using 168 fluorescently labeled microsatellite markers, of which 68 were informative. The relative allele frequencies between the pools were estimated for these 68 informative markers. One marker (MCW188) was found to segregate with the Dominant White locus. Subsequent typing of all individuals from this cross and an additional 148 animals from five different families showed only two recombinants between the marker and the Dominant White locus, resulting in a LODlinkage score (log10 of odds) of 36. Using the pooled DNA approach, the Dominant White locus was successfully mapped on linkage group 22 of the East Lansing reference family at a distance of 2 cM from MCW188.

Animals↗

New microsatellite markers in chicken optimized for automated fluorescent genotyping.

We have isolated and developed 180 new polymorphic chicken microsatellite markers. In addition, primers have been developed for 91 microsatellites derived from the GenBank sequence database (isolated by the laboratory of Terry Burke, Leicester University), of which 89 were polymorphic, and six existing polymorphic markers (HUJ) have been modified. The primer sequences were designed to allow optimal performance of the markers, in sets containing multiple microsatellites, on ABI sequencers. The average number of alleles for the 275 polymorphic markers described was 4.0. Of these markers, 93% were polymorphic in the Wageningen resource population whereas 57% of the markers were polymorphic in the East Lansing reference population and only 44% could be mapped in the Compton reference population. The microsatellite markers described in this paper, in combination with the microsatellite markers published previously, are particularly well suited for performing a total genome scan for the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL).

Animals↗

FISH mapping of the alpha-S2 casein gene on river buffalo and cattle chromosomes identifies a nomenclature discrepancy in the bovine karyotype.

A mixture of five genomic clones spanning the alpha-S2 casein gene (CSN1S2) were mapped to river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) and cattle (Bos taurus L.) chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and R-banding. Clear probe hybridization signals were detected on river buffalo chromosome 7q, band 32, and the homologous cattle chromosome. These mapping data allow the indirect assignment of the entire cattle U15 syntenic group to river buffalo chromosome 7. The assignment of U15 to river buffalo chromosome 7 is discussed in the light of chromosomal nomenclature discrepancies involving the homologous cattle chromosome.

Animals↗

Development and mapping of polymorphic microsatellite markers derived from a chicken brain cDNA library.

Until now the genetic linkage map in chicken has ben based mainly on random genomic markers. The addition of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to the genetic linkage maps is becoming more important because ESTs can form the basis for comparative mapping studies. This may be helpful for the detection of candidate genes for quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In our study we used a (TG)13 repeat as probe for the detection of microsatellites in a chicken brain cDNA library. After hybridization 0.15% of the cDNA clones gave a positive signal. The cDNA complexity of the library was high; of the 90 cDNA clones that were sequenced 60 occurred only once. For 29 clones primer sets for the polymerase chain reaction could be developed. Twenty-one microsatellites were polymorphic on one or more of the test panels and 15 markers could be mapped on either or both of the international reference families. Because sequence homology between chicken and mammalian cDNAs is sometimes low it was difficult to assess the level of sequence homology that indicated a true homologous transcript. In our study seven cDNA cones, of which three could be mapped, showed a relatively high percentage of sequence homology with sequences found in other species. Because sequencing and mapping of expressed sequence tags in human and mouse is progressing very rapidly, it is predicted that further information will soon be readily available. Therefore, increasing the number of expressed sequences on the chicken genetic linkage map will be of value for comparative mapping studies in the near future.

Animals↗

Alignment of the PiGMaP and USDA linkage maps of porcine chromosomes 3 and 9.

The European Pig Gene Mapping Project (PiGMaP) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) porcine linkage maps for chromosomes 3 and 9 have been aligned by typing three USDA microsatellites from chromosome 3 and five from chromosome 9 on the PiGMaP reference families. Using the CRIMAP linkage analysis package, revised multipoint linkage maps were constructed for chromosome 3 and 9. Inclusion of these USDA markers in the multipoint analysis resulted in an increase in length of 47% and 33% respectively for these two PiGMaP linkage groups. This increase in size is mainly the result of extension of the ends of both linkage groups.

Animals↗

Preliminary linkage map of the chicken (Gallus domesticus) genome based on microsatellite markers: 77 new markers mapped.

Microsatellite polymorphisms are finding increasing use in genetics. The objectives of this study were 1) to enlarge the number of markers to contribute to a well-defined linkage map of the chicken genome; and 2) to create a preliminary linkage map only based on microsatellite markers. The need for microsatellite markers is high for performing a whole genome scan for the identification of quantitative trait loci. Seventy-seven newly developed microsatellite markers that were polymorphic on either one or both of the reference populations were mapped and in combination with all previously described markers, used to construct a preliminary linkage map of the chicken genome. The 128 microsatellite markers mapped thus far cover 23 of the 38 linkage groups of the East Lansing reference population. In the case of the Compton reference population, 20 linkage groups out of 40 are covered with microsatellite markers. No linkage was found in the East Lansing population with five markers, and in the case of the Compton population four markers were unlinked. About 42 and 32% of the East Lansing and Compton maps, respectively, were covered by the 128 microsatellite markers. The microsatellite markers are well dispersed among the various linkage groups and there was no evidence for clustering of the markers within the map. With the 38 markers that were mapped on both reference populations, 10 of the East Lansing linkage groups could be associated with 13 of the Compton linkage groups.

Animals↗

Microsatellite polymorphism in commercial broiler and layer lines estimated using pooled blood samples.

For 17 microsatellite markers, allele frequencies were determined in nine highly selected commercial broiler and six highly selected commercial layer lines using pooled blood samples from 60 animals. The average number of marker alleles was 5.8 over all lines, 5.2 over broiler lines, and 3.0 over layer lines. The average number of marker alleles within a line was 2.9, 3.6, and 2.0 for all, broiler, and layer lines, respectively. Over all 15 lines, the average percentage of heterozygosity was 42, whereas the heterozygosity in the broiler lines was 53% and in the layer lines only 27%. In broiler lines, 50% of the marker-line combinations showed a heterozygosity above 60%, whereas this was only 5% in layer lines. Estimation of allele frequencies with microsatellite markers was first assessed in pooled and individual samples before usage in the commercial lines. Allele frequencies for 19 microsatellite markers were estimated in chicken pooled blood samples and compared with allele frequencies from individual typed animals. Similar results were obtained when pooled blood samples (heterozygosity of 35.3%) or individual typed animals (heterozygosity of 34.2%) were used. The method to determine allele frequencies using pooled blood samples is faster, cheaper, and as reliable and repeatable as determining allele frequencies using individual typings.

Alleles↗

Characterization of a GlyCAM1-like gene (glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1) which is highly and specifically expressed in the lactating bovine mammary gland.

A bovine cDNA library, derived from the mammary gland of a lactating cow, was screened for identifying transcripts that specifically occur during lactation by means of differential hybridisation. Several of the clones isolated by this procedure shared 55 and 57% similarity with the mouse and rat glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM1) cDNAs, respectively. Although the mouse and cattle proteins showed an overall similarity of only 41%, two specific regions of the proteins showed 83 and 81% similarity, respectively. The bovine protein also showed 55% similarity with a small protein isolated from the whey fraction of camel milk. Northern blot analysis showed that high-level expression of this gene was only observed in the mammary gland of lactating cows. The complete gene was isolated from a bovine genomic library and its organisation was determined. The gene was 2.5 kb in length and split into four exons. The size and organization of the gene as well as the position of the introns was identical to that of the mouse GlyCAM1 gene. In accordance with the tissue-specific expression of this gene in the mammary gland of lactating animals, potential mammary gland factor (MGF) binding sites were present in the promoter region of the gene. Based on the data presented in this study it is highly likely that this gene is the bovine homologue to the rat and mouse GlyCAM1 genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional genes mapped on the chicken genome.

Microsatellite polymorphisms are finding increasing use in genetics. In addition to the random isolation of microsatellite markers, such markers can also be developed from sequences already present in public domain databases. An advantage of public domain databases is that these microsatellites are known to be located within or close to identified functional genes. In this study the GenBank and EMBL databases were screened for microsatellite markers and primers were defined for amplification. Subsequently, these markers were tested on a panel of five different birds from layer and broiler stocks and on the international reference families: the East Lansing reference family and the Compton reference family. Of the 33 loci tested, 25 were polymorphic on the test panel and from these 25, 14 were polymorphic in one or both reference families. Twelve of the 14 loci that could be mapped fell into previously defined linkage groups. The other two markers were not linked. Because three of the loci had previously been mapped to specific chromosomes by in situ hybridization, linkage groups E6 and C3 could be assigned to chromosome 6, E5 and C17 to chromosome 4 and E21 to one of the microchromosomes.

Animals↗