DNA polymorphism in the living fossil Ginkgo biloba from the eastern United States

• Published in: Genome Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 8 - 12
• Main Authors: Kuddus, R.H, Kuddus, N.N, Dvorchik, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.02.2002; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Deoxyribonucleic acid; District of Columbia; DNA; Flowers & plants; gene expression; genes; Genetic diversity; genetic polymorphism; genetic variation; Genetics; Gingko biloba; Ginkgo biloba; Ginkgo biloba - genetics; Hybridization; Living fossils; molecular sequence data; New York; nucleic acid hybridization; Pennsylvania; polymerase chain reaction; Polymorphism, Genetic; Probes; R&D; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Research & development; restriction fragment length polymorphism; Trees; District of Columbia; New York; Pennsylvania; USA
• ISSN: 0831-2796; 1480-3321
• DOI: 10.1139/g01-115

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis is a valuable tool in studying inter- and intra-specific genetic variations, patterns of gene expression, and for the identification of specific genes using nearly isogenic variants. Here we used RAPD analysis to study the genetic variation in Ginkgo biloba grown in the eastern United States. Our results support the evidence that Southern blot hybridization of RAPD using probes made from cloned DNA fragments allows a more accurate analysis of the RAPD pattern than dye-stained gels or Southern blot hybridization of RAPD blots using probes made from purified PCR products. Using these techniques, we observed a high degree of relatedness among plants grown in certain localities although significant genetic variation may exist in the species, and could be a possible explanation for the observed variations in the efficacy of medications derived from G. biloba extract.