title: Locational diversity of alpha satellite DNA and intergeneric hybridization aspects in the Nomascus and Hylobates genera of small apes.
abstract: Recently, we discovered that alpha satellite DNA has unique and genus-specific localizations on the chromosomes of small apes. This study describes the details of alpha satellite localization in the genera Nomascus and Hylobates and explores their usefulness in distinguishing parental genome sets in hybrids between these genera. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to establish diagnostic criteria of alpha satellite DNA markers in discriminating small ape genomes. In particular we established the genus specificity of alpha satellite distribution in three species of light-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys, N. siki, and N. gabriellae) in comparison to that of Hylobates lar. Then we determined the localization of alpha satellite DNA in a hybrid individual which resulted from a cross between these two genera. In Nomascus the alpha satellite DNA blocks were located at the centromere, telomere, and four interstitial regions. In Hylobates detectable amounts of alpha satellite DNA were seen only at centromeric regions. The differences in alpha satellite DNA locations between Nomascus and Hylobates allowed us to easily distinguish the parental chromosomal sets in the genome of intergeneric hybrid individuals found in Thai and Japanese zoos. Our study illustrates how molecular cytogenetic markers can serve as diagnostic tools to identify the origin of individuals. These molecular tools can aid zoos, captive breeding programs and conservation efforts in managing small apes species. Discovering more information on alpha satellite distribution is also an opportunity to examine phylogenetic and evolutionary questions that are still controversial in small apes.
authors.affiliation: Bioscience Program, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Conservation, Research and Education Division, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sudarath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baicharoen
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyabe-Nishiwaki
authors.affiliation: Conservation, Research and Education Division, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Visit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arsaithamkul
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.affiliation: Chiang Mai Zoo, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kwanruen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duangsa-ard
authors.affiliation: Conservation, Research and Education Division, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Boripat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Siriaroonrat
authors.affiliation: Ishikawa Zoo, Tokusan-machi, Noumi, Ishikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Domae
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kornsorn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Srikulnath
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirohisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D020223:Chromosome Painting; D033481:Chromosomes, Mammalian; D004276:DNA, Satellite; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D006922:Hylobates / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D004276:DNA, Satellite