[Detection of DNA variation after space flight in Datura innoxia by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers].

OBJECTIVE

To substantiate the effect of space environment on medicinal plants, the seeds of Datura innoxia were set up in retrievable satellites.

METHODS

After returning to earth, the DNA variation of different groups was detected by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.

RESULTS

From a pre-screening of 65 primers with 20 oligonucleotide lengths, 15 primers that produced distinct profiles for each DNA sample were selected. In contrast with the earth controlled group, 39 polymorphic bands were produced in weightless group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 23.1%; 45 polymophic bands were produced in hit group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 24.4%. The polymorphic bands ranged approximately from 200 to 1990 bp.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that weightlessness induce DNA variation to some extents in Datura innoxia, while the compound effect of weightlessness and high energy heavy ions is more notable than the effect of single weightlessness.