PCR amplification of a polymorphic minisatellite VNTR locus in whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.)

An approach has been developed for the screening of allelic variation at minisatellite DNA loci that substantially reduces the time and hazards involved. Primers were designed for a minisatellite region isolated from a gadoid fish species (Merlangius merlangus L.), enabling amplification by polymerase chain reaction, so that differences in the number of minisatellite repeat units (allelic variability) were detectable by ethidium bromide fluorescence (over UV light) following separation by agarose gel electrophoresis. This amplifiable minisatellite variable number tandem repeat region, the first non-primate marker of its kind, can be used successfully with DNA extracted by a rapid Chelex® protocol. From a sample of 97 individuals, 24 alleles were resolved (750-2200 kb) and heterozygosity was estimated at 0-94.