Plant Molecular Biology Reporter

, Volume 27, Issue 3, pp 350–354 | Cite as

Isolation and Characterization of New Maize B Sequences from a Microdissected Library

  • Kuan-lin Lo
  • Yao-pin Lin
  • Liang-jwu Chen
  • Bor-yaw Lin
Article

Abstract

Understanding the evolution of the maize B chromosome requires insight into the molecular organization of a large number of B clones, which can be potentially obtained by microdissection of the chromosome. Yet, the microdissection protocols currently available are ineffective for a large-scale isolation. In an attempt to improve its efficiency, a protocol was adopted to screen a microdissected B library with probes prepared from the degenerate oligonucleotide primed-PCR product of genomic DNA. This protocol resulted in 59 new B clones, most of which were highly repetitive sequences located in various B regions but mostly in the heterochromatic blocks of the long arm. They also appeared in A chromosomes. Twenty-four of these were retrotransposons, ten knob, 18 noncoding sequences, and seven unknown sequences. The implication of the new B sequences on the B evolution is discussed.

Keywords

B chromosome DOP-PCR Evolution Microdissection Zea mays 

Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. W.-H. Hsu and the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, R. O. C. under the ATU plan for financial support on part of this study and H.-H. Yang for technical assistance.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kuan-lin Lo
    • 1
  • Yao-pin Lin
    • 2
  • Liang-jwu Chen
    • 1
  • Bor-yaw Lin
    • 1
  1. 1.Institute of Molecular BiologyNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungRepublic of China
  2. 2.Institute of Plant and Microbial BiologyAcademia SinicaTaipeiRepublic of China

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