Bovine microsatellites: racial differences and association with SINE-elements.
Patterns of polymorphism at eight microsatellite loci in three cattle races are described: two large commercial breeds and one endangered landrace. Significant interracial allele frequency differences were found at six loci. The mean heterozygosity was slightly higher in the landrace (H = 0.75) than in the others (H = 0.69). The difference is smaller than that found by DNA-fingerprinting. Intrapopulation distributions of microsatellite allele size (dinucleotide repeat number) were generally bimodal, with certain intermediate repeat types lacking. Sequencing of individual alleles revealed some hidden heterogeneity: an allele defined by PCR-product size actually corresponded to different sequence motifs in different races. Two of the microsatellites occurred as tails of SINE-elements. In contrast to some earlier reports, the position of one of the amplification primers within a high-copy-number SINE-element did not disturb microsatellite amplification; even multiplex PCR was possible.
Department of Genetics, University of Helsinki.
S L
SL
Varvio
J
J
Kaukinen
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D004276:DNA, Satellite