title: Application of the RLGS image analysis tool (RAT) to the construction of a genetic linkage map of recombinant inbred strain SMXA.
abstract: The construction of a genetic linkage map is the first, fundamental step to analyze the genetic properties of any organism. For this purpose, the restriction landmark genome scanning method (RLGS) can be used and has been shown to have high productivity in various genetic analyses. However, construction of a genetic linkage map by the RLGS method is laborious, because hundreds of spots must be scored, usually by visual observation. In order to reduce human involvement in the data processing, we developed an image analysis software, RAT (RLGS Analysis Tool). We evaluated its accuracy and feasibility by comparing the parental distribution patterns of RLGS spots obtained by RAT and by human observation, using Syrian hamster strain backcross progeny. We then used RAT to construct a genetic linkage map of the recombinant inbred strain SMXA. We were able to obtain 121 progenitor strain-specific spots that were assigned to a specific chromosome.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Genome Exploration Research Project, Genomic Sciences Center and Genome Science Laboratory, RIKEN Tsukuba Life Science Center, 3-1-1, Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugahara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akiyoshi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tanihata
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashizaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishimura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D006224:Cricetinae; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007178:Inbreeding; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000235:genetics*; D017111:Phodopus; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012984:Software