Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in genetic improvement: methodologies, mapping and costs

Abstract

Recently a new class of genetic polymorphism, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), has been uncovered by the use of restriction endonucleases which cleave DNA molecules at specific sites and cloned DNA probes which detect specific homologous DNA fragments. RFLPs promise to be exceedingly numerous and are expected to have genetic characteristics - lack of dominance, multiple allelic forms and absence of pleiotropic effects on economic traits - of particular usefulness in breeding programs. The nature of RFLPs and the methodologies involved in their detection are described and estimated costs per polymorphism determination are derived. The anticipated costs of applying RFLPs to genome mapping are considered in terms of the number of RFLPs required for a given degree of genome coverage, the number of probe × enzyme combinations tested per polymorphism uncovered, and the total number of individuals and polymorphisms scored for mapping purposes. The anticipated costs of applying RFLPs to genetic improvement are considered in terms of the number of individuals and the number of polymorphisms per individual that are scored for the various applications. Applications considered include: varietal identification, identification and mapping of quantitative trait loci, screening genetic resource strains for useful quantitative trait alleles and their marker-assisted introgression from resource strain to commercial variety, and marker-assited early selection of recombinant inbred lines in plant pedigree breeding programs and of young sires in dairy cattle improvement programs. In most cases anticipated costs appear to be commensurate with the scientific or economic value of the application.

DNA profiling of disputed chilli samples (Capsicum annum) using ISSR-PCR and FISSR-PCR marker assays

“…The ®rst DNA marker applied was restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in plants [2]. However, with the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), marker systems based on PCR have emerged as major molecular tools for various genetic analyses.…”

The variability of DNA fingerprints in three species of swan

“…Recent developments in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in the discovery and exploitation of yet another set of genetic markers: restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). These have been used extensively for genomic mapping (Botstein et al, 1980;Beckmann and Soller, 1983;Drayna et a!., 1984), and linkage analyses in pedigrees (Phillips eta!., 1980;Reeders et a!., 1985;Knowlton et a!., 1986;Boylan et a!., 1987), and they have had profound effects on studies of evolutionary and population genetics (e.g., Lansman et a!., 1981;Quinn et a!., 1987).…”

The effect of selection for protein and isozyme loci on quantitative traits in a doubled haploid population of barley

“…The identification of specific regions of the genome which enhance the expression of quantitatively controlled characters may allow the development of more efficient plant breeding strategies. The theoretical basis for interpreting the association of marker loci with quantitative trait loci (QTL) has been outlined by Thoday (1961), Mather and Jinks (1982), Geldermann (1975), Tanksley, Medina-Filho and Rick (1982) and Beckman and Soller (1983). Essentially the theory exploits the fact that the marker locus identifies a chromosomal segment and enables that segment to be monitored in subsequent generations of crossing or selfing.…”