Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis identifies genomic DNA polymorphism with high frequency in maize.

We have used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to identify genomic DNA polymorphism in maize (Zea mays L.). DGGE probes detect polymorphism in maize at a frequency comparable to the incidence of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Probes identifying polymorphism were mapped to maize chromosome arms by utilizing DGGE and maize lines carrying B-A chromosomal translocations. The methods for library construction, probe screening, and genome analysis, described here for maize, can also be applied to the genomic analysis of other organisms.