Chromosomal evolution from the perspective of the bovine gene map

Abstract

The bovine genome map has grown from a simple synteny map in 1990 to a chromosomal anchored synteny and linkage map today. The current map is a prototypic artiodactyl map which serves as a useful tool for the study of chromosomal evolution. Syntenic conservation is more pronounced in the cattle and human maps than in either of these relative to mouse . The recent development of the bovine linkage map, however, suggests that linear order of genes within conserved syntenic groups is often disparate.

The cattle, human, and mouse maps can be used to delineate pathways of chromosomal evolution from a common mammalian ancestor. Conservation of gene order cannot be assumed from conservation of synteny, however, and the establishment of order of comparative anchor loci is essential for future development of cattle and other mammalian maps used for comparative purposes.