Using Crossover Breakpoints in Recombinant Inbred Lines to Identify Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling the Global Recombination Frequency

¹ Leibniz Universität Hannover
² Cornell University
³ USDA-ARS/Cornell University

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: esb33{at}cornell.edu.

Submitted on August 15, 2007
Revised on August 28, 2007
Accepted on 28 August 2007

	Abstract

Recombination is a crucial component of evolution and breeding, producing new genetic combinations on which selection can act. Rates of recombination vary tremendously, not only between species but also within species and for specific chromosomal segments. In this study, by examining recombination events captured in recombinant inbred mapping populations previously created for maize, wheat, Arabidopsis, and mouse, we demonstrate that substantial variation exists for genome-wide crossover rates in both outcrossed and inbred plant and animal species. We also identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control this variation. The method that we developed and employed here holds promise for elucidating factors that regulate meiotic recombination and for creation of hyper-recombinogenic lines, which can help overcome limited recombination that hampers breeding progress.

Key Words: Meiosis, QTL, recombination

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