Use of biotin-labeled probes to map specific DNA sequences on wheat chromosomes

A biotin-labeling technique was used to map a 120 bp rye DNA probe by in situ hybridization to somatic metaphase chromosomes of common wheat. Twenty-four hybridization sites were revealed on 11 chromosomes including 4A, 2D, 3D, 5D, and the seven B-genome chromosomes. The observed results were similar to those of previous studies that used isotope labeling. Biotin labeling was found to be a rapid, consistent, and reliable technique to detect repeated DNA sequences by in situ hybridization in wheat and should be a useful technique for the physical mapping of DNA sequences on plant chromosomes.