Molecular marker analysis of Cynanchum wilfordii and C. auriculatum using the simple ARMS-PCR method with mismatched primers

Abstract

SNPs can be used to discriminate allele-specific genotypes based on the 3'-terminal nucleotide of a primer corresponding to a specific SNP site. However, reliable discrimination between alleles in closely related species is not sufficient for molecular genetic identification. To overcome this problem, the present study evaluated the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR analysis method to discriminate closely related species, which utilizes specific primers that have a base pair change within three bases closest to the SNP site. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and precise DNA-based method for molecular authentication of C. wilfordii when compared with the highly similar species C. auriculatum. Molecular authentication of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum was achieved using specific modified primers for DNA sequences of chloroplast TrnL-F and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. A species-specific SNP was detected for each of the two species, and mismatched ARMS-PCR was conducted to specifically identify the SNP site. Plant samples collected from different locations were used to validate the selectively modified SNP markers, and the established method was determined to be effective. Therefore, this study provides a rapid and reliable method for specific identification of the medicinal plants, C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum.