The actin multigene family and livestock speciation using the polymerase chain reaction
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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Linear Amplification Mediated PCR – Localization of Genetic Elements and Characterization of Unknown Flanking DNA
Published on: June 25, 2014
K S Fairbrother1, A J Hopwood, A K Lockley
1Division of Nutritional Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, Leics., UK.
Abstract:
Actins constitute a family of highly-conserved multifunctional intracellular proteins, best known as myofibrillar components in striated muscle fibres. Most vertebrate genomes contain numerous actin genes with high sequence homology in protein coding regions but considerable variability in intron number and sizes. This genetic diversity can be utilised for livestock speciation purposes. The high sequence conservation has enabled a single pair of oligonucleotides to be used to prime the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA extracted from all animals so far studied. Multiple amplification products were obtained which on gel electrophoresis constituted characteristic species-specific 'fingerprints'. The patterns were reproducible, did not vary between individuals of the same breed or between different breeds within a species, and could be generated even from heat-processed muscle held at 120 degrees C for one hour. Given the capacity of PCR to amplify relatively short sequences in highly-degraded DNA, this approach may be suitable for authentication of processed meat products.
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