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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Assessment of DNA Contamination in RNA Samples Based on Ribosomal DNA
Published on: January 22, 2018
[Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 sequences of 4 Leonurus species]
Zhi-ye Yang1, Zhi Chao, Ke-ke Huo
1School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Objective:
To analyze the nuclear ribosome DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 4 Leonurus species, and the possibility of using them for molecular authentication of the crude drugs from the genus.
Methods:
The nrDNA ITS sequence (including ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2, and partial 18S rDNA and 26S rDNA) of L. japonicus and its 3 adulterant species were amplified and sequenced, and CLUSTRAL X and MEGA software was employed for analysis.
Results:
The variation of ITS1 and ITS2 between L. japonicus and its adulterant species ranged between 7.2% and 18.8% and between 14.2% and 27%, respectively. The phylogenic tree derived from the dendrograms based on the ITS sequence data contained some discrepancy from the traditional classification.
Conclusion:
The nrDNA ITS sequences can be used potentially as efficient markers for identification of L. japonicus and its adulterants, and further study is needed for studying the phylogeny of Leonurus.
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