Application of molecular genetics method for differentiating Martes zibellina L. heart from its adulterants in traditional Chinese medicine based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Mingcheng; Xia, Wei; Wang, Miao; Yang, Mingyan; Zhang, Lihua; Guo, Jie
• Is Part Of: Mitochondrial DNA. Volume 25:Number 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Mitochondrial DNA -- Periodicals; Mitochondrial DNA -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Nucleotide sequence -- Periodicals; Gene mapping -- Periodicals; 572.869
• DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2013.815167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-1736

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The use of <italic>Martes zibellina</italic> L. heart as a famous kind of traditional Chinese medicine has been documented for many years in China. Identification of its authenticity as raw materials became a key in controlling of herbal preparations. In this study, the characteristics of mitochondrial cytochrome b (<italic>Cyt b</italic>) gene from four species of <italic>Martes</italic> were explored, and a specific molecular genetics technique for identifying the heart of <italic>M. zibellina</italic> L. in addition to some close relatives from their counterfeits was established. The bioinformatics was carried out to design the primers for the <italic>Cyt b</italic> gene based on the different species of <italic>Martes</italic>. PCR and sequencing technology were performed. The mt DNA was extracted from all of fresh <italic>M. zibellina</italic> L., <italic>Martes melampus. Martes flavigula. Martes martes</italic> heart samples and dry <italic>M. zibellina</italic> L. heart powder through the modified alkaline extracting method in addition to its counterfeits including the chicken heart, duck heart, goose heart, rabbit heart and <italic>Mustela vison</italic>. The complete mt DNA was separated from all samples used in the study, and the <italic>Cyt b</italic> gene with 310 bp segments was amplified only from <italic>M. zibellina</italic> L. heart as DNA template by the PCR technique. The sequencing indicated that the segment amplified by the PCR was homologous with the species of <italic>M. zibellina</italic> in GenBank<italic>.</italic> The data revealed that the primers and selected segment could be used as the genetic markers to identify <italic>M. zibellina</italic> L. heart from its counterfeits among different animal species.</p> </abstract>