Diagnostic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene allow discrimination between cattle, sheep, goat, roe buck and deer by PCR-RFLP.
BACKGROUND
As an alternative to direct DNA sequencing of PCR products, random PCR-RFLP is an efficient technique to discriminate between species. The PCR-RFLP-method is an inexpensive tool in forensic science, even if the template is degraded or contains only traces of DNA from various species.


RESULTS
Interspecies-specific DNA sequence polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analyzed using PCR-RFLP technology to determine the source (i.e., species) of blood traces obtained from a leaf.


CONCLUSIONS
The method presented can be used for the discrimination of cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), roe buck (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus).
Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Groner Landstrasse 2, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany. ipfeiff@gwdg.de <ipfeiff@gwdg.de>
Ina
I
Pfeiffer
Joachim
J
Burger
Bertram
B
Brenig
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D003670:Deer / Q000235:genetics; D006041:Goats / Q000235:genetics; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012418:Ruminants / Q000235:genetics*; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D045303:Cytochromes b