Korean J Parasitol.  1999 Dec;37(4):215-228. 10.3347/kjp.1999.37.4.215.

General properties and phylogenetic utilities of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial DNA commonly used in molecular systematics

• Hwang UW
• Kim W

• KMID: 1715248
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.1999.37.4.215

Abstract

To choose one or more appropriate molecular markers or gene regions for resolving a particular systematic question among the organisms at a certain categorical level is still a very difficult process. The primary goal of this review, therefore, is to provide a theoretical information in choosing one or more molecular markers or gene regions by illustrating general properties and phylogenetic utilities of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that have been most commonly used for phylogenetic researches. The highly conserved molecular markers and/or gene regions are useful for investigating phylogenetic relationships at higher categorical levels (deep branches of evolutionary history). On the other hand, the hypervariable molecular markers and/or gene regions are useful for elucidating phylogenetic relationships at lower categorical levels (recently diverged branches). In summary, different selective forces have led to the evolution of various molecular markers or gene regions with varying degrees of sequence conservation. Thus, appropriate molecular markers or gene regions should be chosen with even greater caution to deduce true phylogenetic relationships over a broad taxonomic spectrum.

MeSH Terms

Animal
Archaea/genetics
Arthropods/genetics*
Bacteria/genetics
DNA, Archaeal
DNA, Bacterial
DNA, Mitochondrial*
DNA, Ribosomal*
Molecular Probe Techniques
Molecular Structure
Phylogeny*