RADSeq: next-generation population genetics

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing technologies are making a substantial impact on many areas of biology, including the analysis of genetic diversity in populations. However, genome-scale population genetic studies have been accessible only to well-funded model systems. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, a method that samples at reduced complexity across target genomes, promises to deliver high resolution population genomic data-thousands of sequenced markers across many individuals-for any organism at reasonable costs. It has found application in wild populations and non-traditional study species, and promises to become an important technology for ecological population genomics.

Figure 1:

The process of RADSeq. (A) Genomic DNA is sheared with a restriction enzyme of choice (SbfI in this example). (B) P1 adapter is ligated to SbfI-cut fragments. The P1 adapter is adapted from the Illumina sequencing adapter (full sequence not shown here), with a molecular identifier (MID; CGATA in this example) and a cut site overhang at the end (TGCA in this example). (C) Samples from multiple individuals are pooled together and all fragments are randomly sheared. Only a subset of the resulting fragments contains restriction sites and P1 adapters. (D) P2 adapter is ligated to all fragments. The P2 adapter has a divergent end. (E) PCR amplification with P1 and P2 primers. The P2 adapter will be completed only in the fragments ligated with P1 adapter, and so only these fragments will be fully amplified. (F) Pooled samples with different MIDs are separated bioinformatically and SNPs called (C/G SNP underlined). (G) As fragments are sheared randomly, paired end sequences from each sequenced fragment will cover a 300–400 bp region downstream of the restriction site.