title: A microarray system for Y chromosomal and mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism analysis in chimpanzee populations.
abstract: Chimpanzee populations are diminishing as a consequence of human activities, and as a result this species is now endangered. In the context of conservation programmes, genetic data can add vital information, for instance on the genetic diversity and structure of threatened populations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are biallelic markers that are widely used in human molecular studies and can be implemented in efficient microarray systems. This technology offers the potential of robust, multiplexed SNP genotyping at low reagent cost in other organisms than humans, but it is not commonly used yet in wild population studies. Here, we describe the characterization of new SNPs in Y-chromosomal intronic regions in chimpanzees and also identify SNPs from mitochondrial genes, with the aim of developing a microarray system that permits the simultaneous study of both paternal and maternal lineages. Our system consists of 42 SNPs for the Y chromosome and 45 SNPs for the mitochondrial genome. We demonstrate the applicability of this microarray in a captive population where genotypes accurately reflected its large pedigree. Two wild-living populations were also analysed and the results show that the microarray will be a useful tool alongside microsatellite markers, since it supplies complementary information about population structure and ecology. SNP genotyping using microarray technology, therefore, is a promising approach and may become an essential tool in conservation genetics to help in the management and study of captive and wild-living populations. Moreover, microarrays that combine SNPs from different genomic regions could replace microsatellite typing in the future.
authors.affiliation: Genètica de la Conservació Animal, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Carretera de Cabrils Km2, 08348 Cabrils, Spain.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Andrés
authors.forename: Ann-Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rönn
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonhomme
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kellermann
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crouau-Roy
authors.forename: Gaby
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doxiadis
authors.forename: Ernst J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Verschoor
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Domingo-Roura
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bruford
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Ann-Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Syvänen