ABSTRACT
Hypervariable polymorphic patterns were detected with M13 phage DNA as a probe in genomic DNA of organisms belonging to different taxonomic groups including animals (vertebrates and invertebrates), plants and microorganisms. Individual-specific restriction pattern analysis (DNA fingerprinting) with this probe proved to be useful for individual identification, analysis of somatic stability and paternity testing in man. The nuclear type of inheritance indicates that the hypervariable DNA regions in question are located in the chromosomes, not in the mitochondrial DNA. The data obtained also demonstrate a potential range of M13 DNA applications as a probe for DNA fingerprinting of animals, plants and microorganisms, particularly for the determination of inbred lines, identification of bacterial strains and establishing stock, variety and strain distinctions.
Subject(s)
DNA, Viral/genetics , DNA/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Animals , Coliphages/genetics , DNA/isolation & purification , DNA Restriction Enzymes , Escherichia coli/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Paternity , Pedigree , Plants/genetics , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Two clones have been selected from a human fibroblast cDNA bank. By DNA sequencing the clones were shown to contain Alu elements located near the ends of the cDNA inserts. DNA of the clones was used for Northern blot hybridization analysis of a number of poly(A)-containing RNAs from normal human tissues (brain, stomach, uterus, spleen, fibroblasts) and tumors (neurinoma, glioma, neuroblastoma, liposarcoma, adrenal cortex adenocarcinoma). All RNA samples reveal a heterodisperse distribution of Alu transcripts with discrete bands in the region of 7-12 S RNA. The majority of these small poly(A)+ Alu+ RNAs contain Alu sequences only in one (canonical) orientation with functional signals including the split promoter for RNA polymerase III.
