Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the equine genome

Abstract

Nine microsatellite markers were isolated from a horse genomic library in lambda bacteriophage. The markers were typed by PCR in 72 horses representing 14 breeds and in 36 parental animals of two Arabian half-sib families. Number of alleles, observed heterozygosity and PIC value were used to determine the informativeness of each marker. Informative markers were subsequently typed in the offspring of the Arabian families to confirm inheritance. The markers, along with 14 previously published microsatellites, were also typed in DNAs from a panel of zebra somatic cell hybrid lines. All of the markers were analyzed for synteny in the zebra somatic cell hybrids. Additionally, each marker was tested for amplification of DNA from other species. Six of the markers were informative both in the Arabian families and in the breed survey. Two markers demonstrated one or more null alleles each. There was evidence of a possible de novo mutation in one marker among the Arabian offspring. Two syntenic groups and three associated pairs of markers were identified in the zebra somatic cell hybrids. Of three previously reported synteny groups in the horse, only one was conserved in the zebra. Five of the markers amplified DNA in at least one other species. However, no attempt was made to verify whether the amplified products truly represented homologous loci.