Ist and IIIrd intron length polymorphism of actin genes as a tool for flax DNA-profiling

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the possibility of using the polymorphism of the Ist and IIIrd introns of actin genes for DNA plant genotyping using flax varieties as model. Methods. 16 varieties of Ukrainian flax were analyzed. PCR was conducted using self-developed species-specific primers for the Ist and IIIrd introns of flax actin genes. DNA fragments were separated by electrophoresis in a 6% polyacrylamide gel and visualized by silver stains. Results. As a result of the evaluation of the Ist and IIIrd intron length polymorphism of actin genes, the species-specific DNA profiles of 16 flax varieties containing the target amplicons were obtained. The 7 allele phenotypes (PIC = 0.62) were detected for the Ist introns of the actin genes, and 3 allelic phenotypes (PIC = 0.32) for the IIIrd intron of actin genes. The highest level of polymorphism in the flax varieties was detected by evaluating the Ist intron length polymorphism of actin genes. Conclusions. Evaluation of the polymorphism of the Ist and IIIrd introns of actin genes allows genotyping and obtaining DNA profiles of flax varieties, which demonstrates the feasibility of further using both approaches for molecular genetic analysis of plants.
 Keywords: gene introns, length polymorphism, actin genes, flax (Linum usitatissimum L.).