[ISSR markers and their applications in plant genetics]

Recently, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers have emerged as an alternative system with reliability and advantages of microsatellites (SSR). The technique involves amplification of genomic segments flanked by inversely oriented and closely spaced microsatellite sequences by a single primer or a pair of primers based on SSRs anchored 5' or 3' with 1-4 purine or pyramidine residues. The sequences of repeats and anchor nucleates are arbitrarily selected. Coupled with the separation of amplification products on a polyacrylamide or agarose gels,ISSR amplification can reveal a much larger number of fragments per primer than RAPD. It is concluded that ISSR technique provides a quick, reliable and highly informative system for DNA fingerprinting.ISSR markers are inherited in Mendelin mode and segregated as dominant markers. This technique has been widely used in the studies of cultivar identification, genetic mapping, gene tagging,genetic diversity, evolution and molecular ecology.