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P J Sharp

Publications and source records attributed to P J Sharp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development and genetic mapping of sequence-tagged microsatellites (STMs) in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The density of SSRs on the published genetic map of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has steadily increased over the last few years. This has improved the efficiency of marker-assisted breeding and certain types of genetic research by providing more choice in the quality of SSRs and a greater chance of finding polymorphic markers in any cross for a chromosomal region of interest. Increased SSR density on the published wheat genetic map will further enhance breeding and research efforts. Here, sequence-tagged microsatellite profiling (STMP) is demonstrated as a rapid technique for the economical development of anonymous genomic SSRs to increase marker density on the wheat genetic map. A total of 684 polymorphic sequence-tagged microsatellites (STMs) were developed, and 380 were genetically mapped in three mapping populations, with 296 being mapped in the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative W7984 x Opata85 recombinant inbred cross. Across the three populations, a total of 479 STM loci were mapped. Several technological advantages of STMs over conventional SSRs were also observed. These include reduced marker deployment costs for fluorescent-based SSR analysis, and increased genotyping throughput by more efficient electrophoretic separation of STMs and a high amenability to multiplex PCR.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2006

Increased food intake stimulates GnRH-I, glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit and follistatin mRNAs, and ovarian follicular numbers in laying broiler breeder hens.

The aim of this study, in 36 week-old laying broiler breeder hens, was to establish the effects on reproductive neuroendocrine gene expression of reinstating ad libitum food intake after moderate food restriction from 2 weeks of age. Seven days of ad libitum feeding increased the number of large pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles and gonadotropin releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I), glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit and follistatin mRNAs. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) was also increased while plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was reduced. There were no associated changes in gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), LHbeta or FSHbeta mRNAs. The mechanism underlying the increased expression of alpha-subunit and follistatin mRNAs was investigated in vitro by incubating pituitary fragments with pulses of GnRH-I. This treatment increased alpha-subunit and follistatin mRNAs but did not affect gonadotropin beta-subunit mRNAs. It is concluded that lifting food restriction in laying hens increases GnRH-I gene transcription or mRNA stability which may be a consequence, or cause of increased GnRH-I release. This, in turn, increases glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit and follistatin mRNAs, resulting in increased plasma LH and decreased plasma FSH, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Simultaneous pituitary-gonadal recrudescence in two Corsican populations of male blue tits with asynchronous breeding dates.

Animal populations living in geographically variable environments respond to different selection pressures. The adaptive character of the responses to environmental information determines the degree of synchrony of the breeding period with local optimal conditions. An example is provided by two populations of Mediterranean blue tits (Parus caeruleus) in Corsica, breeding in different habitats, with a 1-month difference in the onset of egg laying. This difference in the onset of lay is supposed to be adaptive because, although chicks from both populations are raised mostly on caterpillars, the timing of the appearance of caterpillars is earlier for populations of tits associated with deciduous oak trees than those associated with evergreen oak trees. Here, we show that, despite the difference in the timing of egg laying, males from these two populations start seasonal hypothalamo-hypophysial-testicular development at approximately the same time, in late winter. Specifically, the vernal recrudescence of brain GnRH-I perikarya and fibers, testes volume and song activity began around the same dates and proceeded at the same pace in late winter in both populations. Plasma testosterone and LH levels displayed seasonal variations that were shifted by less than 2 weeks compared to the 1-month difference in egg laying periods. We hypothesize that the strong selection pressures on these two populations to adapt the timing of their breeding seasons to their local environment may have acted mostly on the female egg laying dates, and not so much on the initiation and rate of seasonal recrudescence of the hypothalamo-hypophysial-testicular activity in males.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of a short form chicken leptin receptor mRNA.

In mammals, alternative splicing of the leptin receptor (LEPR) produces several C-terminal truncated isoforms that are believed to play a role in the transport, cellular internalisation and degradation of the hormone leptin. The chicken leptin receptor (chLEPR) is similar to its mammalian counterparts in terms of its intron/exon structure and conserved motifs. However, it is unknown whether the chLEPR also undergoes alternative splicing. To test this, structural analysis of intron 19 of the chLEPR, equivalent to the intron in which alternative splicing occurs in mammals, was combined with 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3'-RACE) to search for chLEPR splice variants. A 44-amino acid alternative exon 20 was identified that is spliced to generate a short isoform of the chLEPR (chLEPR-SF). Comparative sequence analysis of intron 19 identified two regions that are highly conserved between the chicken and mammals, indicating their possible importance as intronic elements in the regulation of alternative splicing of the LEPR in vertebrates. Tissue expression of the chLEPR-SF was lower and more restricted than that of the chLEPR long isoform. Collectively these data demonstrate that the chLEPR is alternatively spliced to produce at least one short isoform, as is the case in mammals.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2006

Hypothalamic pro-GnRH-GAP, GnRH-I and GnRH-II during the onset of photorefractoriness in the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii).

Gambel's white-crowned sparrow is a long distance migrant that undergoes spontaneous gonadal regression as a result of long day exposure. This termination of breeding is caused by the development of photorefractoriness and the birds become insensitive to long days, including continuous light. The present study investigated its possible mechanisms by examining the activity of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system under different photoperiodic regimes. We investigated the localisation and distribution of GnRH-I, its precursor pro-GnRH-GAP and GnRH-II in Gambel's white-crowned sparrow brain using immunocytochemistry with specific antibodies during photostimulation and the development of photorefractoriness. The study revealed that photoperiodic treatment, including the onset of photorefractoriness, had no significant effect on the size or number of GnRH-I, pro-GnRH-GAP or GnRH II immunoreactive cells, or the density of the GnRH-I, pro-GnRH-GAP immunoreactive fibres at the median eminence. GnRH-II was not found in the median eminence, suggesting that it does not regulate pituitary gonadotrophin secretion. GnRH-I measurement in hypothalamic extracts by radioimmunoassay did not reveal any significant difference between birds that were photostimulated or in the early stages of photorefractoriness. Furthermore, the action of the excitatory amino acid glutamate agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate on GnRH neurones in photorefractory birds was demonstrated by the significant blockade of luteinising hormone release with a specific GnRH antagonist. Taken together, these results suggest that, in Gambel's white-crowned sparrow, a decrease in GnRH-I secretion is the initial step for the onset of photorefractoriness and not a decrease in GnRH-I biosynthesis.

Animal Migration↗
PubMed2006

Testosterone antagonist (flutamide) blocks ovulation and preovulatory surges of progesterone, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol in laying hens.

The preovulatory release of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the domestic hen occurs after the initiation of a preovulatory surge of testosterone. The objective of this study was to determine whether this testosterone surge has functional significance in the endocrine control of ovulation. Groups of laying hens (n = 10-22) were treated with the androgen receptor antagonist, flutamide, at 8 h intervals for 24 h at doses of 0, 31.25, 62.5, 125 and 250 mg. All doses reduced egg laying (P < 0.001), with the highest dose being the most effective. In a second study, laying hens (n = 9) were treated with 250 mg flutamide at 8 h intervals for 24 h with a control group being given placebo (n = 10). Blood samples were taken for hormone measurements at 2 h intervals for 18 h starting 4 h before the onset of darkness. The percentage of hens laying per day did not differ between groups before treatment (control, 88% vs flutamide, 86%). Ovulation was blocked in all hens treated with flutamide within 2 days while the control hens continued to lay at the pretreatment rate (80%). Preovulatory surges of plasma testosterone, progesterone, oestradiol and LH were observed in control hens but with the exception of testosterone, flutamide treatment blocked the progesterone, oestradiol and LH surges. LH concentrations declined progressively with time in the flutamide-treated hens. It is concluded that inhibition of testosterone action blocks egg laying and the preovulatory surges of progesterone, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol demonstrating a key role for the preovulatory release of testosterone in the endocrine control of ovulation in the domestic hen.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed2005

Aromatase inhibition abolishes courtship behaviours in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) and reduces androgen and progesterone receptors in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland.

The aim of this study was to determine in the ring dove, the effects of aromatase inhibition on the expression of aggressive courtship and nest-soliciting behaviours in relation to the distribution of cells containing immunoreactive androgen (AR) and progesterone (PR) receptor in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Isolated sexually experienced ring doves were transferred in opposite sex pairs to individual breeding cages, and then injected with the aromatase inhibitor, fadrozole (four males and four females), or saline vehicle (four males and four females) for 3 days at 12 hourly intervals. Saline-injected control males displayed aggressive courtship behaviours (bow-cooing and hop-charging) and nest-soliciting throughout the study, and control females displayed nest-soliciting. By day 3, fadrozole treatment resulted in the disappearance of all these behaviours and in a decrease or disappearance of AR and PR in the anterior pituitary gland, and in the nucleus preopticus paraventricularis magnocellularis (PPM), nucleus preopticus medialis (POM), nucleus hypothalami lateralis posterioris (PLH), and ventral, lateral and dorsal nucleus tuberalis in the hypothalamus (VTu, LTu, DTu). In the nucleus preopticus anterior (POA), fadrozole treatment decreased AR in both sexes and decreased PR in females but not in males. Cells containing co-localized nuclear AR and PR were found in all hypothalamic areas examined, and in the anterior pituitary gland. Fadrozole is suggested to reduce the local availability of estrogen required indirectly for the induction of AR, and except in cells containing PR in the male POA, for the direct induction of PR. It is suggested that aggressive courtship behaviour is terminated by "cross talk" between aromatase-independent PR and aromatase-dependent AR co-localized in neurons in the POA. Aromatase-independent PR may increase in the male POA in response to visual cues provided by a partner. Aromatase-dependent PR in the POM, and basal hypothalamus may play a role in the facilitatory effect of progesterone on estrogen-induced nest-orientated behaviours.

Animal Communication↗
PubMed2005

Changes in reproductive neuroendocrine mRNAs with decreasing ovarian function in ageing hens.

Egg production declines with advancing age in the domestic chicken and this is particularly pronounced in breeding stocks of meat type hens (broiler breeders). The objective of this study was to establish whether declining egg production with reproductive ageing in broiler breeders is correlated with plasma LH and FSH, and with mRNAs encoding hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I), gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), and gonadotrophin subunits. Comparisons were made between hens at the peak of egg laying (young: 30 weeks) and at the end of a laying year (old: 60 weeks). Old hens were subdivided into laying and out-of-lay groups. Plasma LH and FSH were lower in old than in young laying hens. Compared with old laying hens, old out-of-lay hens had significantly increased plasma FSH but not plasma LH. There were no differences in total hypothalamic GnRH-I and GnIH mRNAs between young and old hens. In old laying hens, the decrease in plasma LH was correlated with decreased gonadotrophin alpha-subunit but not LHbeta mRNAs. The decrease in plasma FSH was not associated with a change in FSHbeta mRNA. In old out-of-lay hens, the increase in plasma FSH was correlated with increased FSHbeta mRNA, while unchanged plasma LH was associated with increased LHbeta mRNA. A regression analysis of all plasma gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin subunit mRNA data collected from the study demonstrated that plasma LH is correlated with alpha-subunit but not LHbeta mRNAs, while plasma FSH is correlated with FSHbeta but not alpha-subunit mRNAs. It is concluded that the decrease in the rate of lay in ageing broiler breeders is not correlated with decreased GnRH-I mRNA nor with increased GnIH mRNA, but it is related to a decrease in alpha-subunit mRNA which may account for the associated reduction in plasma LH but not FSH.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

Lighting regimens and plasma LH and FSH in broiler breeders.

Egg production by meat-type fowl is markedly inferior to that from commercial laying hens, and so, to assess the degree to which photorefractoriness might be a contributing factor, male- and female-line broiler breeders were maintained on 8-, 11- or 16-h photoperiods. In addition, to determine the age-related rate of change in response to an increment in photoperiod, other birds were transferred from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 67 or 124 d. Blood samples were taken from all groups, except those on constant 11-h photoperiods, in both genotypes at 67, 69, 124 and 126 d, and from all lighting groups in the female line at 58 weeks (end of trial), and the plasma was assayed for plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration to investigate possible correlations with rate of sexual maturity, total egg numbers and terminal rates of lay. Prepubertal LH was consistently higher for the female line than for the male line, and higher for 16-h birds than for 8-h birds. At 69 and 126 d, LH values were not significantly different from those 2 d earlier for 8-h birds, but significantly reduced for 16-h birds. There was an increase in LH following photostimulation at 67 d, but no significant change after the 124-d light increase. There were no significant differences in FSH between the two genetic lines, nor any effect of photostimulation at 67 or 124 d. There was a tendency for FSH in 8-h birds to be higher than for 16-h birds, and this difference became significant for male-line birds at 67 d. At 58 weeks, LH was higher for constant 11- and 16-h birds and for birds photostimulated at 67 d than for constant 8-h controls or birds transferred from 8 to 16h at 124 d. Neither baseline nor photoinduced prepubertal changes in plasma LH nor FSH were found to be of value for predicting age at sexual maturity or subsequent rates of egg production. At 58 weeks, LH was not generally correlated with sexual maturity, total eggs or terminal rates of lay, however, there was a negative correlation with age at first egg in birds photostimulated at 124 d. It must be concluded that plasma LH and FSH concentrations are of minimal value to the broiler breeder industry for predicting the degree of photorefractoriness, the age at sexual maturity, or subsequent egg production.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

Light intensity can influence plasma FSH and age at sexual maturity in domestic pullets.

1. Shaver White and ISA Brown pullets were reared to 140 d in cage groups of 8 on a 10-h photoperiod of incandescent light and maintained at an illuminance of 3 or 25 lux, or transferred from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 63 or 112 d of age. 2. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration at 63 and 112 d was higher in both breeds for pullets maintained at an illuminance of 25 lux compared with 3 lux. After 2-4 d, and relative to constant-illuminance controls, plasma FSH increased significantly for ISA Brown transferred from 3 to 25 lux at 63 d and for Shaver White transferred at 112 d. Irrespective of genotype, plasma FSH for pullets given a decrease in illuminance at 63 or 112 d showed a tendency for less change than did constant-illuminance controls. 3. There was no significant difference in sexual maturity for ISA Brown maintained on 3 or 25 lux, but Shaver White pullets exposed to constant 3 lux matured later than those maintained on 25 lux. Shaver White matured later following an increase from 3 to 25 lux at 63 and 112 d, and earlier subsequent to a decrease from 25 to 3 lux at 112 d. ISA Brown pullets were not significantly affected by a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d, though their responses were in the same direction as Shaver White. 4. Changes in plasma FSH in the 2- to 4-d period following a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d were not significantly correlated with sexual maturity.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Changes in light intensity can influence age at sexual maturity in domestic pullets.

1. Shaver White and ISA Brown pullets were reared to 140 d in groups of 8 in cages on a 10-h photoperiod of incandescent light and maintained at an illuminance of 3 or 25 lux, or transferred from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 63 or 112 d of age. 2. There was no significant difference in sexual maturity, measured as eggs per 100 bird.d at 139 and 140 d, for ISA Brown maintained on 3 or 25 lux, but Shaver White pullets exposed to constant 3 lux matured significantly later than those maintained on 25 lux. 3. In Shaver Whites, sexual maturity was significantly delayed by an increase from 3 to 25 lux at 63 and 112 d, and advanced by a decrease from 25 to 3 lux at 112 d. Sexual maturity of ISA Browns was not significantly affected by a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d, though responses were in the same direction as for Shaver Whites. 4. In both breeds, total feed consumed to 112 d was higher for birds on 3 lux than 25 lux, but lower between 112 d and 140 d when birds on 25 lux underwent rapid sexual development. In both breeds, body weight at 63 d was higher for birds exposed to 3 lux than 25 lux, but body weight gain thereafter was similar for the two light intensities. 5. In both breeds, plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration at 63 and 112 d was lower in birds maintained on 3 lux than 25 lux. At 63 and 112 d, transfers from 25 to 3 lux depressed, whereas transfers from 3 to 25 lux at 63 d, but not at 112 d, increased plasma LH. 6. Advances or delays in sexual maturity induced by changes in illuminance were not correlated with differences in feed intake, body weight gain, or with changes in plasma LH. 7. One possible explanation for the inverse relationship between the direction of change in illuminance at 63 and 112 d in pullets exposed to a 10-h photoperiod and the age at which they became sexually mature is that changes in light intensity and/or spectral composition affect the entrainment of the circadian rhythm of photoinducibility, to effect a phase shift in the photoinducible phase and/or the responsiveness of phototransduction pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone depresses gonadotrophin alpha and follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit expression in the pituitary of the domestic chicken.

Studies performed in vitro suggest that a novel 12 amino acid RF amide peptide, isolated from the quail hypothalamus, is a gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone (GnIH). The aim of the present study was to investigate this hypothesis in the domestic chicken. Injections of GnIH into nest-deprived incubating hens failed to depress the concentration of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH). Addition of GnIH to short-term (120 min) cultures of diced pituitary glands from adult cockerels depressed follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH release and depressed common alpha and FSHbeta gonadotrophin subunit mRNAs, with no effect on LHbeta subunit mRNA. Hypothalamic GnIH mRNA was higher in incubating (out-of-lay) than in laying hens, but there was no significant difference in the amount of hypothalamic GnIH mRNA in out-of-lay and laying broiler breeder hens at the end of a laying year. It is concluded that avian GnIH may play a role in controlling gonadotrophin synthesis and associated constitutive release in the domestic chicken.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A new approach to extending the wheat marker pool by anchored PCR amplification of compound SSRs.

A study was undertaken to determine the utility in bread wheat of anchored PCR for the development of single locus SSR markers targeted at compound repeat motifs. In anchored PCR, microsatellite amplification is achieved using a single primer complementary to the flanking sequence, and one which anchors to the repeat junction of the compound SSR. The recovery rate of useable markers was found to be similar (43%) to that reported for conventionally generated SSRs. Thus, anchored PCR can be used to reduce the costs of marker development, since it requires that only half the number of primers be synthesised. Where fluorescence-based platforms are used, marker deployment costs are lower, since only the anchoring primers need to be labelled. In addition, anchored PCR improves the recovery of useful markers, as it allows assays to be generated from microsatellite clones with repeat sequences located close to their ends, a situation where conventional PCR amplification fails as two flanking primers cannot be designed. Strategies to permit the large-scale development of compound SSR markers amplified by anchored PCR are discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Increased permeability of psoriatic skin to the protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor 2.

The penetration and permeation of the recombinant protein plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) in two formulations, one containing a penetration enhancer, into the psoriatic and uninvolved skin of eight patients with plaque-type psoriasis were investigated. Penetration and permeation of PAI-2 were measured by gamma counting and imaging following radiolabelling of a fraction of the applied PAI-2 with (123)I. The feasibility of topical delivery of drug to psoriatic plaques was confirmed by the finding that the permeability of psoriatic plaques to radiolabelled PAI-2 (P=0.007) and free (123)I (P=0.001) was approximately tenfold higher than the permeability of uninvolved skin. The addition of a penetration enhancer improved the permeation of PAI-2 into psoriatic plaques from an average of 35% to 46% (P=0.005). Occlusion decreased the permeation amount of PAI-2 from 46% to 15% due to losses on the occlusive dressing (P=0.001).

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

Fasting differentially regulates expression of agouti-related peptide, pro-opiomelanocortin, prepro-orexin, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide mRNAs in the hypothalamus of Japanese quail.

Research in mammals has established the existence of a neuronal network that lies within the hypothalamus and that regulates energy homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether this system has been evolutionarily conserved. The objective of the present study was therefore to examine the influence of the agouti-related peptide (AGRP), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), prepro-orexin, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) genes on energy balance in birds by quantifying the effect of a 24-h fast on their expression in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail. In situ hybridization revealed strong signals for AGRP and POMC mRNAs in the infundibular nucleus (IN), for prepro-orexin in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHy) and periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, and for VIP in the LHy. POMC mRNA was co-localized with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like immunoreactivity in individual IN neurons. Compared with the ad-libitum-fed state, a 24-h fast resulted in a 2.2-fold increased expression of AGRP mRNA in the IN. However, fasting did not induce changes in POMC, prepro-orexin, or VIP mRNAs. The results suggest an involvement of the central melanocortin system in the regulation of energy balance in birds, as in mammals. In contrast, orexins in birds may be primarily involved in the control of physiological functions other than energy homeostasis.

Agouti-Related Protein↗
PubMed2003

Acceleration of maturation of FSH and LH responses to photostimulation in prepubertal domestic hens by oestrogen.

Egg laying begins in domestic hens, reared on short daylengths, at about day 147 of age and is advanced by photostimulation after but not before about day 42 of age. The development of this response at day 42 may be facilitated by oestrogen. This hypothesis was investigated in prepubertal hens, reared on short daylengths, by comparing the effects of oestrogen treatment on pituitary and plasma FSH and LH responses to photostimulation (16 h light:8 h dark) for 1 week at days 34 and 54 of age. Oestradiol benzoate (0.5 mg kg(-1)) was injected i.m. on alternate days for 1 week before and after photostimulation. At day 34, pituitary LH content increased after photostimulation but plasma LH and FSH concentrations did not increase. At day 54, pituitary FSH content and plasma FSH and LH concentrations increased after photostimulation, whereas pituitary LH content did not increase. At days 34 and 54, oestrogen treatment decreased pituitary FSH and LH contents but did not block the stimulatory effect of photostimulation on pituitary FSH. At day 34 but not at day 54, photostimulation combined with oestrogen treatment increased plasma FSH and LH concentrations. Plasma LH but not plasma FSH concentration increased after GnRH-I injection at days 34 and 54. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that, in prepubertal female chickens, maturation of the neuroendocrine mechanism mediating photoinduced FSH and LH release may be mediated by oestrogen. This effect of oestrogen on photoinduced LH release may be mediated by increased GnRH-I release or enhanced pituitary responsiveness to GnRH-I. It is proposed that neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling photoinduced FSH release may involve oestrogen-responsive interactions between pituitary paracrine factors, including activins and follistatin.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Sequence tagged microsatellite profiling (STMP): improved isolation of DNA sequence flanking target SSRs.

Sequence tagged microsatellite profiling (STMP) enables the rapid development of large numbers of co-dominant DNA markers, known as sequence tagged microsatellites (STMs). Each STM is amplified by PCR using a single primer specific to the conserved DNA sequence flanking the microsatellite repeat in combination with a universal primer that anchors to the 5'-ends of the microsatellites. It is also possible to convert STMs into conventional microsatellite, or simple sequence repeat (SSR), markers that are amplified using a pair of primers flanking the repeat sequence. Here, we describe a modification of the STMP procedure to significantly improve the capacity to convert STMs into conventional SSRs and, therefore, facilitate the development of highly specific DNA markers for purposes such as marker-assisted breeding. The usefulness of this technique was demonstrated in bread wheat.

Conserved Sequence↗