title: Mapping of a QTL for serum HDL cholesterol in the rabbit using AFLP technology.
abstract: The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique is a DNA technology that generates the so-called AFLP markers. These markers are genomic restriction fragments detected after two rounds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) without prior knowledge of nucleotide sequence. Here we describe the first application of the AFLP technique in the rabbit. We have tested two primer combinations. The results obtained with the DNA from rabbits of different breeds justify the conclusion that AFLP analysis is an effective tool for genetic studies in the rabbit. In addition, we contribute to the linkage map of the rabbit by localizing two AFLP markers on rabbit linkage group VI (LG VI). For this purpose the progeny of a IIIVO/JU x [IIIVO/JU x AX/JU]F(1) backcross were genotyped for 12 AFLP markers and 3 LG VI classical markers [one coat color marker (e) and two biochemical markers (Es-1 and Est-2)]. AX/JU is a dietary cholesterol-susceptible (hyperresponding) inbred strain and IIIVO/JU is a dietary cholesterol resistant (hyporesponding) inbred strain. Moreover, it is possible to evoke dietary cholesterol-induced aorta atherosclerosis in a relatively short time period in AX/JU rabbits, in contrast to IIIVO/JU rabbits. A significant cosegregation was found between basal serum HDL cholesterol level (i.e., the level on a low-cholesterol, control diet) and an AFLP marker on LG VI. It is concluded that one or more genes of LG VI are regulating the basal serum HDL cholesterol level in rabbits. Thus the present study with rabbits clearly illustrates the value of AFLP markers for the construction of linkage maps and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL).
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Animal Health, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.166, NL-3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Van Haeringen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Den Bieman
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gillissen
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lankhorst
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Van Zutphen
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Van Lith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005819:Genetic Markers