Genet. Sel. Evol. 34 (2002) 649-656
DOI: 10.1051/gse:2002029

Localisation of aphidicolin-induced break points in Holstein-Friesian cattle (Bos taurus) using RBG-banding

Viviana Rodriguez^a, Silvia Llambí^a, Alicia Postiglioni^a, Karina Guevara^a, Gonzalo Rincón^a, Gabriel Fernández^b, Beatriz Mernies^b and María Victoria Arruga<sup>c

a</sup>  Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetic Section, Laboratory of Genetics Analysis in Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary, UDELAR, A. Lasplaces 1550 CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
^b  Department of Animal Production, Animal breeding Section, Faculty of Veterinary, UDELAR, Uruguay
^c  Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary, Zaragoza University, Spain

(Received 21 November 2001; accepted 1st July 2002)

Abstract
Fragile sites (FS) seem to play a role in genome instability and may be involved in karyotype evolution and chromosome aberrations. The majority of common fragile sites are induced by aphidicolin. Aphidicolin was used at two different concentrations (0.15 and 0.30 M) to study the occurrence of FS in the cattle karyotype. In this paper, a map of aphidicolin induced break points and fragile sites in cattle chromosomes was constructed. The statistical analysis indicated that any band with three or more breaks was significantly damaged ( P < 0.05). According to this result, 30 of the 72 different break points observed were scored as fragile sites. The Pearson correlation test showed a positive association between chromosome length and the number of fragile sites ( r=0.54). On the contrary, 21 FS were identified on negative R bands while 9 FS were located on positive R bands.

Key words: cattle / chromosome / fragile sites / aphidicolin

Correspondence and reprints: Silvia Llambí
    e-mail: sllambi@adinet.com.uy; alipos@adinet.com.uy

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2002