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DNA sequence variation within maize and melon: observations from polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct
D M Shattuck-Eidens1, R N Bell, S L Neuhausen
1Native Plants Incorporated, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
Genetics
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Plant genome variation differs significantly between species like maize and melon. This study investigated nucleotide sequence differences, revealing distinct mechanisms for mutation generation and maintenance in maize.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics
- Molecular evolution
- Genomics
Background:
- Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) show varying incidence across plant species.
- Understanding the basis of this disparity is crucial for genetic mapping and comparative genomics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nucleotide sequence variation at homologous loci within maize and melon cultivars.
- To compare sequence diversity between maize and melon to explain differing RFLP levels.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of homologous genomic regions from different cultivars.
- Determination of nucleotide sequences for amplified regions in maize and melon.
- Analysis of base substitutions and insertions/deletions to estimate polymorphism (theta).
Main Results:
- Significant variation in base substitutions and insertions/deletions observed within maize sequences.
- Maize exhibited higher levels of sequence variation (theta: 0.006-0.040 for substitutions, 0.002-0.023 for indels) compared to melon (theta: 0-0.002).
- Statistical tests indicated differing mutation generation and maintenance processes among maize genomic regions.
Conclusions:
- Multiple mechanisms are required to explain observed genetic variation in plants.
- Fundamental differences exist in genome organization and maintenance between plant species like maize and melon.
- Species-specific genomic characteristics influence polymorphism levels and RFLP incidence.