The "Igri/Franka" (I/F) map ranks among the most comprehensive genetic linkage maps of barley (Hordeum vulgare), containing a large number of markers derived from cDNA and genomic PstI clones. Fourty-three cDNA clones and 259 genomic clones were at least partially sequenced and compared with the major data bases of protein and nucleic acid sequences. Of the cDNA clones, 53% show significant similarity to known sequences in protein data bases. A comparison of sequences from genomic clones to nucleic acid sequence data bases revealed similarities for 9% of the clones. For cDNA sequences analyzed the same way, significant similarities were observed for 35% of the clones. These results show that genomic PstI clones, although containing genes at a significant frequency, represent an inappropriate source for an efficient, systematic gene identification in barley. Sequence information obtained in the context of the present study provides a resource for the conversion of these markers into sequence-tagged site (STS) markers and their use in PCR assays.