Preliminary Study on Applicability of Microsatellite PrimersDeveloped from Common Carp for Genomic Analysis of Grass Carp

In order to determine the applicability of microsatellite primers developed from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) for genomic analysis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), twentyeight pairs of common carp primers designed for microsatellites containing CA motifs were employed to amplify the microsatellite loci in the genome of grass carp. The conditions of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were optimized for the fidelity of DNA synthesis during PCR amplification. Two kinds of nonspecific PCR products, heteroduplex bands and shadow bands, were eliminated successfully by decreasing the extension temperature and Mg2+ concentration. 7 primers (about 25%) amplified specific products successfully and 4 primers (about 14.3%) have shown the polymorphism in a small population of the wild grass carp of xiangiang river (only 8 samples of fish). This result indicates that there are about 50% homology of sequences flanking the microsatellite loci between the common carp and grass carp, and some of the common carp microsatellite primers can be used for grass carp genetic analysis without much costing and time consuming.