SYNTENY-MAPPING HORSE MICROSATELLITE MARKERS USING A HETEROHYBRIDOMA PANEL

A panel of horse-mouse heterohybridoma cells was tested for genetic ma rkers using biochemical and polymerase chain reaction-(PCR-) based tes ts. Biochemical markers included phosphoglucomutase (PGM), glucose pho sphate isomerase (GPI) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD). Mar kers detected using PCR-based tests included microsatellite markers HT G2-15, HMS 1-3, 5-8, VHL20, ECA2 and genes for equine major histocompa tibility gene ELA-DRA, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) and transfe rrin. The results were analysed for correlation and concordance. Based on the results, five synteny groups were identified, specifically bet ween ELA-DRA, TNFA, HMS5 and HTG5; between HTG3 and HTG13; between HTG 4, HTG8 and HMS3; between HTG6 and HMS1; and between HTG7, HTG9 and HM S6. Evidence was also found for synteny between HTG12, HMS7 and ECA2, however, confirmation requires further testing. Cytogenetic evaluation of the cell lines making up the panel indicated that large metacentri c chromosomes were preferentially lost or tended to break at the centr omere. Consequently, the results from this analysis can be used to ide ntify synteny, but not to exclude synteny.