Characterization of microsatellites in the IGF-2 and GH genes of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Four microsatellites were identified by screening the DNA sequences of Asia n seabass (Lares calcarifer) deposited to GenBank. Two markers each are loc ated in the growth hormone gene (GH) and in the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF-2), respectively. The markers were characterized by genotyping 34 Asian seabass individuals. All 4 microsatellites showed polymorphism: t he number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 (average, 5.0), while th e expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.51 to 0.85 (average, 0.63) at the 4 loci. Cross-priming with all 4 primer pairs was tested in species belongin g to 5 different genera, but no bands were amplified. These microsatellites are the first genomic DNA markers characterized in L. calcarifer thus they may be valuable for research and aquaculture production of this species.