Conserved gene sequences for species identification: PCR analysis of the 3' UTR of the SON gene distinguishes human and other mammalian DNAs.
In this paper we show that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used on regions of highly conserved genes, such as the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the SON gene, to identify the mammalian origin of a sample. Using this test, we have been able to distinguish human, monkey, cat, dog, mouse and hamster DNAs. We have also determined the DNA sequence of these different PCR products, which can be used to reinforce species identification. The advantages of this test are that: (i) no prior information is required on the possible species origin of a sample, (ii) the reaction produces a single PCR product which varies in size according to the species of origin, making the test simple to interpret, and (iii) the target region of DNA amplified in these experiments is small and can easily be sequenced and sized using automated techniques. This small size has enabled us to successfully amplify this product from DNA extracted from compromised material (human bone samples) and so demonstrate that the test is valuable for the characterisation of remains in which DNA is degraded.
Soteriou
B
B
Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London, UK.
Fisher
R A
RA
Khan
I M
IM
Kessling
A M
AM
Archard
L C
LC
Buluwela
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002415:Cats; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity
D004247:DNA