微卫星,或简单序列重复(SSR),长期以来,由于其典型的高多态性,在遗传研究中发挥了重要作用。它们有不同的应用,包括基因组作图,取证,确定父母身份,人口和保护遗传学,鉴定多倍体的亲子关系,和系统地理学。我们比较SSR和较新的方法,例如通过测序进行基因分型(GBS)和限制性位点相关DNA测序(RAD-Seq),并为研究人员考虑使用哪些遗传标记提供建议。我们还回顾了目前用于识别微卫星基因座和开发引物的各种技术,特别关注那些利用下一代测序(NGS)的人。此外,我们审查了微卫星开发软件,并报告了一项实验,以评估当前可用的SSR开发软件的实用性。最后,我们讨论了微卫星的未来,并为准备使用微卫星的研究人员提出了建议。我们认为,微卫星在基因组时代仍然具有重要地位,因为它们仍然是有效且具有成本效益的标记。
Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), have long played a major role in genetic studies due to their typically high polymorphism. They have diverse applications, including genome mapping, forensics, ascertaining parentage, population and conservation genetics, identification of the parentage of polyploids, and phylogeography. We compare SSRs and newer methods, such as genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq), and offer recommendations for researchers considering which genetic markers to use. We also
review the variety of techniques currently used for identifying microsatellite loci and developing primers, with a particular focus on those that make use of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Additionally, we
review software for microsatellite development and report on an experiment to assess the utility of currently available software for SSR development. Finally, we discuss the future of microsatellites and make recommendations for researchers preparing to use microsatellites. We argue that microsatellites still have an important place in the genomic age as they remain effective and cost-efficient markers.