Genetic Polymorphism in GDF8 Region of HU Sheep Based on Microsatellite DNA

[ Objective ] This study was to analyze the genetic polymorphism in GDF8 Region of HU sheep. [Method] Four microsatellite loci including BMS1591, TEXAN-2, FCB128 and BM81124 mapped on GDF8 region of chromosome No. 2 of sheep that may be correlated with growth performance were chosen to detect the molecular genetics foundation of growth performance of Hu sheep. [ Result] Four microsatellite loci detected were high in heterozygosity, more in effective alleles number and rich in polymorphic information, all the three indices passed through the high polymorphic level （PIC 〉0.5）. [ Conclusion ] The four microsatellite loci detected could be used to estimate the genetic polymorphism of growth performance of Hu sheep.

Microsatellite instability and expression of DNA mismatch repair genes in malignant astrocytic tumors from adult and pediatric patients

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is used as a molecular marker for defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes.We report here alterations of MSI in 15 malignant astrocytomas (WHO grade Ⅲ) and glioblastomas (GBM; WHO grade Ⅳ) of pediatric patients (2-21 years) and 12 GBM from adults (44-68 years) by comparative analysis of BAT25/BAT26 loci and 10 other microsatellite markers. High-level microsatellite instability (MSI-H) occurred in 4 of the 15 pediatric cases (26.7%) and in 1 of the 12 adult GBM cases (8.3%). Low-level mi-

Molecular phylogenetics and population demographic history of Amphioctopus fangsiao,inferred from mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers

Amphioctopus fangsiao(Cephalopoda:Octopodidae)is an important commercial species in the coastal waters of China.In recent years,however,the resource of A.fangsiao have declined because of habitat destruction and overfishing.To analyze the genetic variations of A.fangsiao caused by the fluctuation of resources,the population genetic structure of nine sampling locations collected from the Bohai Sea to the South China Sea were investigated,using mtDNA COI fragments and microsatellite DNA.The results of F-statistics,AMOVA,STRUCTURE and PCA analyses showed three phylogeographic clades(Clades A,B and C),revealing limited genetic exchange between north and south populations.These clades diverged in 2.23(Clades A and B)and 3.67(Clades A,B and C)million years ago,during the dramatic environmental fluctuations,such as sea level and temperature changes,have exerted great influence on the survival distribution pattern of global organisms.Our results for low genetic connectivity among A.fangsiao populations provide insights into the development of management strategies,that is,to manage this species as separate management unit.

Microsatellite DNA Marker Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Wild Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Populations

Thirty microsatellite loci were used for analyzing six wild populations of common carp （Cyprinus carpio L.）. Observed （Ho） and expected （He） heterozygosity values, polymorphic information content （PIC）, and number of effective alleles （Ae） were all detected. Genetic similarity index and genetic distance were computed based on the allele frequency. The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was checked according to the test of χ^2. Genetic differentiation and hierarchical partition of genetic diversity were evaluated by FST and Nm. A clustering dendrograrn was made based on the results of UPGMA methods using the PHYLIP software package （version 3.63）. There were totally 8,136 fragments ranging from 125 bp to 414 bp in length. Three to thirteen alleles were amplified in 30 loci and 210 alleles in all six populations. The average number of alleles in each locus was seven. The result showed that 1） the level of genetic variability was moderate in the six populations. Polymorphic information contents of the six wild common carp populations were 0.44, 0.52, 0.53, 0.57, 0.63, and 0.64 respectively. Effective alleles were from 1.04 to 4.72, the average numbers in each population were 2.19, 2.60, 2.42, 2.43, 2.45, and 2.33. The average expected heterozygosity values were 0.50, 0.59, 0.56, 0.56, 0.57, and 0.54 respectively; 2） the highest genetic similarity index that came from the populations of BR and ZL was 0.8511 and the lowest index was 0.6688, and it came from the populations of BR and HN. There was a correlation between the clustering result and the geographical distribution.

Genetic Diversity of Microsatellite DNA Loci of Tibetan Antelope(Chiru,Pantholops hodgsonii)in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve,Qinghai,China

The Tibetan antelope （Pantholops hodgsonii）, indigenous to China, became an endangered species because of considerable reduction both in number and distribution during the 20th century. Presently, it is listed as an Appendix Ⅰ species by CITES and as Category I by the Key Protected Wildlife List of China. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of the Tibetan antelope is significant for the development of effective conservation plans that will ensure the recovery and future persistence of this species. Twenty-five microsatellites were selected to obtain loci with sufficient levels of polymorphism that can provide information for the analysis of population structure. Among the 25 loci that were examined, nine of them showed high levels of genetic diversity. The nine variable loci （MCM38, MNS64, IOBT395, MCMAL TGLA68, BM1329, BMSI341, BM3501, and MB066） were used to examine the genetic diversity of the Tibetan antelope （n = 75） in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve（HXNNR）, Qinghai, China. The results obtained by estimating the number of population suggested that all the 75 Tibetan antelope samples were from the same population. The mean number of alleles per locus was 9.4 ± 0.5300 （range, 7-12） and the mean effective number of alleles was 6.519± 0.5271 （range, 4.676-9.169）. The observed mean and expected heterozygosity were 0.844 ± 0.0133 （range, 0.791-0.897） and 0.838 ± 0.0132 （range, 0.786-0.891）, respectively. Mean Polymorphism Information Content （PIC） was 0.818 ± 0.0158 （range, 0.753-0.881）. The value of Fixation index （Fis） ranged from -0.269 to -0.097 with the mean of -0.163 ± 0.0197. Mean Shannon＇s information index was 1.990 ± 0.0719 among nine loci （range, 1.660-2.315）. These results provide baseline data for the evaluation of the level of genetic variation in Tibetan antelope, which will be important for the development of conservation strategies in future.

Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite DNA Markers from Forest Musk Deer(Moschus berezovskii)

In this report, we describe the isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for forest musk deer （Moschus berezovskii） through an improved enrichment protocol. Five new markers were isolated from the genomic DNA of forest musk deer and showed high polymorphism with 4 - 13 alleles in 24 sampled individuals from the population of Jinfeng Mountain, Sichuan Province, China. The observed and expected heterozygesities were from 0.429 - 0.957 and 0.587 - 0.902, respectively. The average polymorphism information content （PIC） value in these five loci was 0. 730. This suggests that the five microsatellite loci are a valuable tool for further studies about forest musk deer.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Three Guizhou Local Pig Breeds Using Microsatellite DNA Markers

[Objective] The research aimed to provide the genetic basis for the protection, development and utilization of Guizhou local pig breeds. [Method] From 27 pairs of porcine microsatellite primers recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations （FAO） and international Society for Animal Genetics （ISAG）, six pairs （S0155, SW240, IGF1, SW951, SW857, SW24） were selected for microsatellite DNA detection of three Guizhou local pig breeds, including Nuogu Pig, Kele Pig and Guanling Pig. Subsequently, their genetic diversities were analyzed. [ Result] The three pig breeds were high polymorphic at the six microsatellite loci （PIC 〉0.5）. The Nei＇s standard genetic distance of them was 0.206 3 -0.481 5. The genetic distance between Nuogu Pig and Kele Pig Was the closest, and that between Nuogu Pig and Guanling Pig was the furthest. [ Conclusion] The three Guizhou local pig breeds are in high genetic diversities. Nuogu Pig is a special type of Kele Pig, an excellent Chinese local pig breed.

Isolation of Microsatellite DNA and Preliminary Genomic Analysis of Mud Carp (Cirrhina molitorella)

In order to determine the applicability of microsatellite primers developed from common carp （ Cyprinuscario ） for genomic analysis in mud carp （ Cirrhina molitorella ）, 24 primer pairs from common carp were designed to amplify microsatellite loci in the mud carp containing CA, GA, AT and GGGA sequences. Thirteen primers （54%） successfully amplified specific products in the mud carp and 11 primers （48%） showed high polymorphism in the mud carp population. The results indicated that the average number of alleles per locus in the mud carp stocks was 5.2. Average heterozygosity （Ho）, unbiased expected heterozygosity （He） and polymorphism information content （PIC） in the wild population were 0.61 ± 0.2, 0.8 ± 0.09 and 0.72 ± 0.1 respectively. Several Hardy-Weinberg departure value were significandy departed from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The study showed that microsatellite primers from a species of Cyprinidae can be used for mud carp genetic analysis without much cost or time input.

Genetic Structure and Diversity of Parental Cultivars Involved in China Mainland Sugarcane Breeding Programs as Inferred from DNA Microsatellites

To understand genetic structure and diversity of parental cultivars involved in China Mainland sugarcane breeding programs, 92 elite parents and 4 wild relatives were genotyped with 18 microsatellite DNA markers. The genetic similarity （GS） values among the cultivars ranged from 0.346 to 0.960 with an average of 0.533. Among the introduced cultivars, India accessions had the closest genetic distance to China Mainland accessions （0.447）, while Australia accessions have the furthest distance （0.503）. A comparison of allelic diversity among geographical origins showed that there were 22 China Mainland specific alleles, of which 28% were derived from native S. spontaneaum germplasm in China. Model-based genetic structure, clustering, and principal components analyses consistently revealed there were five groups within the 96 accessions. Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5 consisted of all cultivars and group 3 only contained wild germplasm. Group 2 was characterized as the Introduction group with 46 cultivars predominantly introduced from Australia, Taiwan of China, India, and USA. Groups 1, 4, and 5 consisted of cultivars mostly originated from China Mainland, defined as the Complex group, Yacheng lines group, and F134/CP72-1210 group, respectively, upon their pedigree. By understanding the genetic relationships among the parental cultivars, breeders can gain a rational basis for expanding the gene pool and select the best parental accessions for crossing.

Sequences Characterization of Microsatellite DNA Sequences in Pacific Abalone(Haliotis discus hannai)

The microsatellite-enriched library was constructed using magnetic bead hybridization selection method, and the mi-crosatellite DNA sequences were analyzed in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai. Three hundred and fifty white colonies were screened using PCR-based technique, and 84 clones were identified to potentially contain microsatellite repeat motif. The 84 clones were sequenced, and 42 microsatellites and 4 minisatellites with a minimum of five repeats were found (13.1% of white colonies screened). Besides the motif of CA contained in the oligoprobe, we also found other 16 types of microsatellite repeats including a dinucleotide repeat, two tetranucleotide repeats, twelve pentanucleotide repeats and a hexanucleotide repeat. According to Weber (1990), the microsatellite sequences obtained could be categorized structurally into perfect repeats (73.3%), imperfect repeats (13.3%), and compound repeats (13.4%). Among the microsatellite repeats, relatively short arrays (< 20 repeats) were most abundant, accounting for 75.0%. The largest length of microsatellites was 48 repeats, and the average number of repeats was 13.4. The data on the composition and length distribution of microsatellites obtained in the present study can be useful for choosing the repeat motifs for microsatellite isolation in other abalone species.

Microsatellite DNA polymorphisms and the relation with body weight in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

The relationship between microsatellite polymorphism and body weight of captive bred Chinese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus was investigated in two local populations in Dalian. Among ten loci discovered, nine show changes except for AJ07 loci. Seven loci were found highly polymorphic in both populations. For each locus in two populations, the average number of alleles is 6.428 6 and 6.285 7, the average observed heterozygosity at 0.225 7 and 0.245 9, the expected heterozygosity at 0.776 8 and 0.748 8, the polymorphism information content (PIC) at 0.709 2 and 0.674 6, respectively. Further analysis show significant correlation between A. japonicus body weight and occurrence markers AJ02 and AJ04. The findings of the relation may be helpful for molecular breeding, as well as the marker-assisted selection of sea cucumbers.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA microsatellite instability in hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese

AIM：To study the nuclear microsatellite instability (nMSI) at BAT26 and mitochondral microsalellite instability (mtMSI) in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma and the relationship between nMSI and mtMSI.METHODS: nMSI was observed with PCR and mtMSI with PCR-SSCP in 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma.RESULTS:mtMSI was detected in 11 out of the 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (21.2%). Among the 11 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with mtMSI, 7 occured in one locus and 4 in 2 loci. The frequency of mtMSI in the 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma showed no correlation to sex, age,infection of hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis as well as positive AFP of the patients (P>0.05). In addition, nMSI was detected in 3 out of 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (5.8%) and there was no correlation of the incidence of mtMSI to that of nMSI (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:mtMSI may be involved in the coccurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma and it is independent of nMSI.

Construction Fractional Genomic Libraries and Screening Microsatellites DNA of Esox reieherti Dybowski

Esox reieherti Dybowsk genomic microsateUites were developed by using enrichment protocols combined with radioactive hybridization protocol. Four hundred to nine hundred base pair fragments were selected for the whole genome. DNA PCR amplification after digestion with restriction endonuclease Sau 3A Ⅰ, and （CA）12, （GA）12 probes marked with biotin were used for microsateUite DNA enrichment. The product fragments were connected with carder pGEM-T and transferred into DH5α Escherichia coli competent cells, and radioactive isotope probes marked with γ^-32 p were used for the second hybridization. As a result, a total of 1600 bacteria were obtained in the microsatellite genomic libraries, positive clones accounted for 90.91% before hybridization and 81.25% after hybridization, amounting to 1300. One hundred and ninety-six positive clones were selected for sequencing, and 192 clones included microsateUite sequences. The microsateUite sequences obtained, mono-nucleotide, quad-nucleotide and quint-nucleotide repeat motifs were observed beside double-base-pairs CA/GT, GA/CT. Seventy primers were designed according to the flanking sequences by using software Primer Premier 5.0, and 32 primers were selected to be synthesized. After optimizing PCR reaction conditions, 28 primers were amplified and produced clear purpose bands. The aim of our research was to promote the development and utilization of E. reieherti genomic resource, and lay the foundation for optimizing E. reieherti breeding strain in order to detect the genetic diversity and construct a genetic map.

Forecast of the Heterosis of Imported Meat Sheep by Genetic Polymorphism of Microsatellite DNA

Forecast of the heterosis of Small Tail Han sheep crossed with imported meat sheep by genetic polymorphism of microsatellite DNA was done in different sheep breeds. The gene frequency, the polymorphism information contents, the number of effective alleles, the heterozygosity, and the genetic distances were studied in four imported meat sheep and Small Tail Han sheep using five microsatellite loci. The crossing effects on the Small Tail Han sheep with four imported meat sheep were tested. The results indicate that there are genetic polymorphisms at five microsatellite loci in five sheep breeds. Five microsatellite loci can be used for genetic diversity evaluation in sheep breeds. The genetic variability of Dorset is the highest, and that of the Small Tail Han sheep is the lowest in the five sheep breeds. The order of heterosis from large to small in four imported meat sheep by the analysis of genetic relationship is White-Suffolk, Black-Suffolk, Dorset, and Texel. This accords with the testing results of actual heterosis. It is feasible to forecast the heterosis of Small Tail Han sheep crossed with imported meat sheep by genetic polymorphism of microsatellite DNA, which will have an important value for sheep breeding in the future.

Isolation and Characterization of 17 Microsatellite DNA Loci for Odorrana margaretae(Anura: Ranidae)

We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite DNA loci for the odorous frog Odorrana margaretae from its transcriptome sequence data. These loci were screened with 24 individuals from Mt. Emei. All loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 2 to 8. The observed and expected heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, ranged from 0.04 to 1, 0.04 to 0.81, and 0.040 to 0.763, respectively. All loci were in linkage equilibrium and six loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni corrections. Cross- species amplification test was conducted for ten odorous frog species, and 12 loci were amplifiable in most species. With the high cross-species amplification rates, thesc markers will provide useful molecular tools for conservation genetic and phylogeographic studies on the genus Odorrana and Bamburana.

Genetic variation of Chinese and Japanese wild Pacific abalone(Haliotis discus hannai)measured by microsatellite DNA markers

Population differentiation and relationships among three wild populations of the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai collected from coastal seas around China and Japan were estimated using microsatellite DNA analysis. The results obtained with six microsatellite loci showed a high genetic diversity for China and Japan populations. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 11.7 to 23.0, and the average of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0. 656 to 0. 721, and from 0. 721 to 0. 793, respectively. The observed genotype frequencies at each locus were mostly in agreement with Hardy - Weinberg expectations with five exceptions. Significant differences were detected between Chinese and Japanese H. discus hannai populations [ Weir and Cocker-ham＇ s fixation index（ Fst ） range ： 0. 020～ 0.023 ; Slatkin＇ s fixation index （Rst） range： 0. 016～ 0. 044 ], and no obvious difference was detected between the samples of Japanese H. discus hannm populations （ Fst = 0. 002 ; Rst = 0. 007）. The level of differentiation among populations is further evidenced by the nNeighbor-joining tree topology on which the Japanese samples were closely clustered, and the Chinese population formed a separate cluster. These results suggest that care should be taken in future management of different populations.

Prediction of the Best Three-Breed Hybridized Combination of Imported Meat Sheep Using Genetic Polymorphism of Microsatellite DNA

The allelic frequency, the polymorphic information contents （PIC）, the number of effective alleles, the heterozygosity, and the genetic distances were studied in three imported meat sheep （Suffolk, Dorset, Texel） and their F1 crossbred obtained from those crossed with indigenous Small Tail Hun Sheep （Suffolk♂× Small Tail Hun Sheep, SH; Dorset ♂× Small Tail Han Sheep♂, DH; Texel♂× Small Tail Hart Sheep ♀, TH） using six microsatellite DNA loci. The perpormences of three-breed crossbred （Suffolk ♂× DH ♀, Suffolk ♂× TH ♀, Texel ♂× SH ♀, Texel ♂× DH ♀, Dorset ♂× TH ♀, and Dorset ♂× SH ♀ ） were tested. The results indicated that there were genetic polymorphisms at six microsatellite loci in six sheep populations. Six microsatellite loci could be used for genetic diversity evaluation in sheep populations. The order of three-breed heterosis by the analysis of genetic relationship from large to small was Texel ♂× DH ♀, Suffolk ♂× DH ♀, Suffolki ♂× TH ♀, Texel ♂× SH ♀, Dorset ♂×TH ♀, and Dorset ♂× SH ♀, which was in accordance with the testing results on actual heterosis. These results showed that prediction of the best three-breed hybridized combination among sheep breeds by microsatellite DNA polymorphism was feasible, which will have an important value on the reasonable utilization of introduced meat sheep and sheep breeding in our country in the future.

Preliminary Study on Applicability of Microsatellite DNA Primers from Parasite Protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi in Free-living Protozoa

In this paper, we took the lead in studying on specificity of the microsatellite DNA loci and applicability of mi crosatellite DNA primers in protozoa. In order to study characters of microsatellites in free living protozoa, eight microsatellite loci primers developed from Trypanosoma cruzi (MCLE01, SCLE10, MCLE08, SCLE11, MCLF10, MCLG10, MCL03, MCL05) were employed to amplify microsatellite in four free living protozoa, including Bodo designis, Euglena gracilis FACHB848, Paramecium bruzise and Tetrahymena thermophila BF1. In the amplification systems of P. bruzise, four loci (SCLE10, SCLE11, MCLF10, MCL03) were amplified successfully, and four amplification fragments were in proper size. In genome of E. gracilis FACHB848, five of eight primers brought five clear amplification bands. In B. designis, three (No.4, 5 and 7) of eight loci produced clear and sharp products without stutter bands, whereas no bands appeared in T. thermophila BF1. Further, eight 300-500 bp amplification fragments were cloned and sequenced. Nevertheless, all sequenced products did not contain corresponding microsatellite sequence, although Bodo is in the same order and has the nearest phylogenetic relation with Trypanosoma among these four species. Thus, the microsatellite DNA primers can not be applied among order or more far taxa, and the specificity of microsatellite DNA is very high in protozoa. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of microsatellite DNA in protozoa.

Cross-species amplification and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Gallus gallus in Bambusicola thoracica

The Chinese Bamboo Partridge(Bambusicola thoracica) is a gamebird endemic to China.Ten polymorphic microsatellite(simple sequence repeat) markers were obtained through cross-species amplification for this partridge from its relative species Gallus gallus.The number of alleles per locus varied from 4 to 13.The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.1220 to 1.0000 and the expected heterozygosity from 0.1183 to 0.8898.Four microsatellite loci showed significant differences from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.These polymorphic loci provide a valuable tool for the investigation of the phylogeography and conservation genetics of this partridge.

Isolation and Characterization of 15 Microsatellite DNA Loci for the Alpine Stream Frog Scutiger boulengeri (Anura： Megophryidae)

Fifteen microsatellite DNA markers were developed from a transcriptome assembly of the alpine stream frog （Scutiger boulengeri）.To characterize these loci, we genotyped 23 individuals collected from two sites. Eleven loci were variable, with the number of alleles ranging from one to six within each population. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.78 and from 0 to 0.64, respectively. None of the loci was in linkage disequilibrium and one locus for one population was deviated from will offer useful tools in detecting population structure Tibetan Plateau, where the species resides. the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We hope that these markers of S. boulengeri and in monitoring the fragile ecosystem of the