Comparative gene mapping in the species Muntiacus muntjac.
An extreme case of chromosomal evolution is presented by the two muntjac species Muntiacus muntjac (Indian muntjac, 2n = 6 [females], 7 [males]) and M. reevesi (Chinese muntjac, 2n = 46). Despite disparate karyotypes, these phenotypically similar species produce viable hybrid offspring, indicating a high degree of DNA-level conservation and genetic relatedness. As a first step toward development of a comparative gene map, several Indian muntjac homologs of known human type I anchor loci were mapped. Using flow-sorted, chromosome-specific Southern hybridization techniques, homologs of the protein kinase C beta polypeptide (PRKCB1) and the DNA repair genes ERCC2 and XRCC1 have been assigned to Indian muntjac chromosome 2. The male-specific ZFY gene was presumptively mapped to Indian muntjac chromosome Y2. Ultimate generation of a comparative physical map of both Indian and Chinese muntjac chromosomes will prove invaluable in the study of mammalian karyotype evolution.
Levy
H P
HP
Division of Human Genetics, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Schultz
R A
RA
Cohen
M M
MM
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D015342:DNA Probes; D003670:Deer / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
D015342:DNA Probes