Isolation and characterization of a satellite DNA family in the Saccharum complex

EaCIR1, a 371-bp Erianthus-specific satellite DNA sequence, was cloned from TaqI restricted genomic DNA after agarose-gel electrophoresis. This sequen ce has 77% homology with a 365-bp satellite of Helictotrichon convolutum an d 72% homology with a 353-bp tandem repeat sequence from Oryza sativa. PCR primers defined in the conserved regions of these repetitive sequences were used to isolate other satellite DNAs in different representatives of the S accharum complex: SoCIR1 in Saccharum officinarum, SrCIR1 in Saccharum robu stum, SsCIR1 and SsCIR2 in Saccharum spontaneum, and MsCIR1 in Miscanthus s inensis. EaCIR1 and SoCIR1 were localized to subtelomeric regions of the ch romosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Southern hybridization exp eriments, using two representatives of this repeat sequence family as probe s, illustrated contrasting species-specificity and demonstrated the existen ce of similar repetitive elements in sorghum and maize.