Inheritance and linkage analysis of co-dominant SSR markers on the Z chromosome of the silkworm (Bombyx moriL.)

Abstract

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are co-dominant molecular markers. When we used fluorescent SSR markers to construct a linkage map for the female heterogametic silkworm (Bombyx mori, ZW), we found that some loci did not segregate in a Mendelian ratio of 1:1 in a backcross population. These loci segregated in a 3:1 ratio of single bands compared with double bands. Further examination of band patterns indicated that three types of SSR bands were present: two homozygotes and one heterozygote. In the beginning, we considered to discard these markers. By scoring male and female F1 individuals, we confirmed that these loci were located on the Z chromosome. Using the sex-linked visible mutation sch (K05) and its wild-type (C108), we constructed an F1 male backcross (BC1M) mapping population. The combination of sch backcross and SSR data enabled us to map the SSR markers to the Z chromosome. By adjusting input parameters based on these data, we were able to use Mapmaker software to construct a linkage map. This strategy takes advantage of co-dominant markers for positional cloning of genes on the Z chromosome. We localized sch to the Z chromosome relative to six SSR markers and one PCR marker, covering a total of 76.1 cM. The sch mutation is an important sex-linked visible mutation widely used in breeding of commercial silkworms (e.g. male silkworm selection rearing). Localization of the sch gene may prove helpful in cloning the gene and developing strains for marker-assisted selection in silkworm breeding.