THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL: SWINE GENE MAPS FOR MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION OF ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT TRAIT LOCI

Authors: SCHOOK L B - UNIV OF MINNESOTA; PASZEK A A - UNIV OF MINNESOTA; MEDIOLA J - UNIV OF MINNESOTA; LOUIS C - UNIV OF MINNESOTA; MURTAUGH M P - UNIV OF MINNESOTA; WHEELER M B - UNIV OF ILLINOIS; BEATTIE C W - US MEAT ANIM RES CENTER; ROHRER G A - US MEAT ANIM RES CENTER; ALEXANDER L J - US MEAT ANIM RES CENTER; Lunney, Joan

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/29/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Advances in molecular genetics and the windfall of the Human Genome Initiative have provided new tools and strategies for understanding the mysteries of heredity. At the 1989 joint meeting of the American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association, a similar Breeding and Genetics Symposium was held in which we presented integrated strategies and methodologies for the genetic improvement of animals. In that presentation we stressed the need and characteristics of an integrated approach which was built upon the foundations of molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, biochemistry, and physiology. Because of the scope and costs of gene mapping domesticated animals, we also called for developing strong collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. Thus, because of our need for the development of an integrated approach, we initiated a joint, interinstitutional effort to achieve our goal of mapping the swine genome to permit genetic progress in health and production. The specific aims of our effort are provided in Table I. This presentation provides further evidence that through such an integrated approach, significant progress can be made towards defining those areas of the swine genome where allelic variations contribute to phenotypic traits. And that our quest to identify markers for economically important traits (ETL) can then be incorporated into a marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding program.

Technical Abstract: The recent development of the swine microsatellite (MS) linkage map provides a valuable tool for identifying loci which contribute to economically important traits (ETL). Construction of a three generation Yorkshire x Meishan Resource Family at the University of Illinois which has been phenotyped for over 70 economically important traits, provides a unique opportunity for identifying ETLs. In addition, a resource family at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) also facilitates defining those areas of the genome where allelic variation or coding sequences contribute to phenotypic traits. Markers for ETL can then be incorporated into a marker-assisted selective breeding program. Towards that goal we have characterized over 30 candidate genes (Type I markers) associated with growth, disease resistance, carcass traits, and reproduction; and screened both lambda and cosmid swine genomic libraries and cloned over 600 MSs (Type II markers) which contribute to the genetic linkage map. Physical mapping efforts are focused on assigning MS containing genomic clones by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the construction of chromosome-specific libraries. Integration of both linkage and physical maps will provide a high resolution, comprehensive map of the swine genome. Utilization of that map with our phenotyped resource population will permit future efforts in identifying ETL. Our highly polymorphic MS markers will permit the incorporation of marker-assisted selection by U.S. swine producers allowing selection of animal with increased disease