Microdissected bovine X chromosome segment delineates homologous chromosomal regions in sheep and goat.

In this study we microdissected the proximal part band Xq24 of the bovine X chromosome long arm, in which the Xist gene is located in cattle. The obtained DNA fragment was PCR amplified, labelled and used as a probe for cattle, sheep and goat chromosomes. In cattle, as expected, distinct hybridization signals were observed on Xq24. The painting signals were also observed on Xq24 in sheep and goat. The chromosome painting probes can be used for comparative mapping and searching for internal X chromosome rearrangements in Bovidea and may contribute to the understanding of mammalian sex chromosome evolution.