在传统的正向遗传学分析过程中,基因定位需要构建复杂的后代群体,并借助大量分子标记进行遗传连锁分析和区间定位,使得这一过程成本高且耗时长。MutMap是近年来发展的基于高通量第二代测序技术的一种新的正向遗传学分析方法。该方法的优点是遗传定位的周期短且效率高。在此基础上扩展的新方法也不断出现,如基于自交的MutMap+、用于识别基因组缺失区间变异的MutMap-Gap、以及用于定位数量性状基因座的分析思路与MutMap类似的QTL-seq方法等。这些方法不需要建立繁琐的定位群体,甚至不依赖于遗传杂交和任何连锁信息即可进行,加快了对感兴趣表型的变异位点所在基因组区域的识别过程。本文对MutMap及其扩展方法进行了介绍,并对它们未来的应用和发展前景进行了讨论,以期为基于第二代测序技术的正向遗传学基因定位和作物遗传改良研究提供参考。

Classical forward genetic analysis relies on construction of complicated progeny populations and development of many molecular markers for linkage analysis in genetic mapping, which is both time- and cost-consuming. The recently developed MutMap is a new forward genetic approach based on high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies. It is more efficient and affordable than traditional methods. Moreover, new extended methods based on MutMap have been developed: MutMap+, which is based on self-crossing; MutMap-Gap, which is used to recognize the causative variations occurring in genome gap regions; QTL-seq, a method similar to MutMap for mapping quantitative trait loci. These methods are free from constructing complicated mapping population, genetic hybridization and linkage information. They have greatly accelerated the identification of genetic elements associated with interested phenotypic variation. Here, we review the basic principles of MutMap, and discuss their future applications in next generation sequencing-based forward genetic mapping and crop improvement.