To increase the number of Type I markers that are directly informative for comparative mapping, 58 anchorage markers, TOASTs
(Traced Orthologous Amplified Sequence Tags), were mapped in pig. With specific consensus primers, 76 TOASTs were tested in
pig: 50 were regionally localized in pig on a somatic cell hybrid panel (SCHP), and 51 were mapped on the whole genome, INRA/University
of Minnesota porcine Radiation Hybrid panel (IMpRH). Comparison of marker positions on RH and cytogenetic maps indicated general
concordance except for two chromosomal regions. For RH mapping, all markers, apart from one, were significantly linked (LOD
> 4.8) to a marker of the first-generation radiation hybrid map. Localization of new markers on the initial map is necessary
for drawing a framework map as shown for Chromosome Sscr 14. The addition of four TOASTs has enabled us to propose an improved
map, using a threshold likelihood ratio of 1000/1. At the whole-genome level, this work significantly increased (by 50%) the
number of precisely mapped genes on the porcine RH map and confirmed that the IMpRH panel is a valuable tool for high-resolution
gene mapping in pig. Porcine PCR products were sequenced and compared with human sequences to verify their identity. Most
of the localizations made it possible to either confirm or refine the previous comparative data between humans and pigs obtained
through heterologous chromosomal painting or gene mapping. Moreover, the use of TOASTs in mapping studies appears to be a
complement to other strategies using CATS, human ESTs, or heterologous FISH with BACs which had already been applied to improve
the gene density of comparative genomic maps for mammals.
Received: 15 March 2000 / Accepted: 27 July 2000