Objective
To produce a genetic map with markers spaced at approximately 20 centiMorgan intervals over at least 90% of the pig genome. To produce a physical map with at least one distal and one proximal landmark locus mapped on each porcine chromosome arm and also genetically mapped.
The pig gene mapping project (PiGMaP) has brought together laboratories in 6 EC countries and 2 EFTA countries in a coordinated and collaborative programme to develop a porcine gene map. The pig pedigrees and polymorphic genetic markers necessary for genetic (or linkage) mapping have been established. The number of genes assigned (or mapped) to chromosomes approaches 100. Techniques for physical sorting the pig chromosomes have been exploited to develop chromosome specific libraries (or gene banks). Consideration has been given to the future exploitation of the gene map in locating the genes responsible for controlling traits such as growth and reproductive performance.
The reference animals necessary for the genetic (or linkage) mapping are provided by 5 groups. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from these animals is shared by a wider grouping of ten laboratories. A pilot linkage study involved 7 groups genotyping a shared pool of animals. DNA prepared from 12 primary pig x mouse hybrid cells have been distributed for synteny mapping studies. Chromosome specific libraries have been created by combining chromosome sorting in some laboratories with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and cloning in other laboratories and the libraries have subsequently been distributed to other participants. Groups isolating markers have collaborated with those using in situ hybridization to assign marker loci to chromosomes. In particular lambda and cosmid genomic clones which have been shown to contain polymorphic microsatellite loci are being mapped to chromosomes. The development of short interspersed elements (SINE) priming involved a three way collaboration.
Five laboratories took part in a meeting in June 1991 to discuss the design of the experiments to map the quantitative trait loci (QTL). The recommendations for the design of the reference mapping populations made at the June meeting have subsequently been adopted.
At the initiation of the project the gene map of the pig was rudimentary, with only 38 genes assigned to 17 linkage or synteny groups and only 27 tentative chromosomal assignments.
A genetic map with markers spaced at approximately 20 centiMorgan intervals over at least 90% of the pig genome will be produced. The map will include a mixture of genes previously mapped in man and mouse, porcine coding sequences and hypervariable loci with high polymorphic information content (PIC). Diverse genetic stocks (European commercial pigs, European wild boar and Chinese Meishan pigs) are being used to provide crosses informative for linkage analysis and known to be segregating for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of economic value. Purebred, F1 and F2 animals are being genotyped for the markers isolated within the project and for known polymorphisms (biochemical, blood groups, etc).
The data are being analysed with the LINKAGE computer package. Between species synteny and DNA sequence conservation means that cloned human and murine genes can provide dispersed markers to build a basic porcine map to be gradually fleshed out with more variable markers. Probes detecting variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) or minisatellite loci in the pig are being developed to allow isolation of locus specific probes with high PIC values. Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci formed from simple oligonucleotide repeats dispersed throughout the genome are also being used as they offer the means of rapid, automated genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.
A physical map with at least one distal and one proximal landmark locus mapped on each porcine chromosome arm and also genetically mapped will be produced. The porcine karyotype is uniquely suited among farm animals for physical mapping studies. Hybrid cell lines and in situ hybridisation techniques are being used to assign genes to chromosomes and chromosomal regions. Further stable and well characterized hybrid cell lines will be developed within the project. Participants with access to fluorescence activated cell sorters (FACS) will develop a flow karyotype and procedures for sorting individual chromosomes as an alternative to hybrid cell lines and as sources of single chromosomes for the creation of chromosome specific libraries. In addition to complementing the genetic map the physical map will allow the conservation of synteny between pigs, man, mice and cattle to be evaluated.
The statistical techniques required to analyse data from QTL mapping experiments are being developed and evaluated. Studies for the detection of quantitative trait loci will be designed but only implemented after the completion of this initial gene mapping project.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agricultural biotechnology marker assisted selection
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science domestic animals animal husbandry
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Coordinator
EH25 9PS Roslin
United Kingdom
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