Arbitrary single short primers identify polymorphic DNA markers that distinguish inbred strains of mice

The inbred mouse strains, Balb/c and SJL/J, have been widely used in biomedical research to unravel the genetic basis of susceptibility to tumors, viral diseases, autoimmune encephalitis, atopic disorders and neuro-retinopathies. In this study we attempted to identify DNA polymorphisms that distinguish them using RAPD assay. Screening of the genomic DNA of mice with a panel of 100 random decamer primers led to the identification of 36 primers which amplified 204 strain specific RAPD markers. On an average each of the selected primer amplified 11 bands of which 5.6 were strain specific. Segregation of RAPD markers in a (Balb/c x SJL/J) F1 x SJL/J backcross progeny (n = 6) suggested that the markers are potentially suitable for molecular genetic linkage studies.