matK
Definition
Maturase K gene, located in the chloroplast trnK intron. The second CBOL-approved plant barcode marker, with an approximately 870 bp diagnostic amplicon. Combined with rbcL, it achieves species-level discrimination for roughly 70% of angiosperm species.
- Diagnostic amplicon size
- Approximately 870 base pairs
- Location
- Chloroplast trnK intron
- CBOL approval status
- Second CBOL-approved plant barcode marker
Common questions
What is matK and what does it do in plant forensics?+
matK is the maturase K gene found in the chloroplast genome, specifically within the trnK intron. It is used as a DNA barcode marker to identify and distinguish between plant species in forensic investigations. It evolves faster than rbcL, which makes it better at species-level identification.
How accurate is matK at identifying plant species?+
When combined with rbcL (another plant barcode marker), matK achieves species-level discrimination for roughly 70% of angiosperm species. Its main strength is providing finer resolution than rbcL alone, though it can be trickier to amplify from degraded plant material at crime scenes.
Is matK better than rbcL for plant identification?+
matK and rbcL work best together. matK is more variable than rbcL, which gives it better species-level resolution in many plant families. However, rbcL amplifies more reliably from damaged samples. Using both together provides stronger forensic discrimination than either alone.
Related terms
- rbcL
- A chloroplast gene encoding the large subunit of RuBisCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). One of the two CBOL-standardized plant barcode loci. Widely amplifiable but...
- DNA Barcoding
- Species identification using a short, standardised region of the mitochondrial genome. For animals, the primary barcode marker is a 648-base-pair segment of...
- Agarwood
- Resin-impregnated heartwood produced by Aquilaria and Gyrinops species in response to fungal infection or wounding. Used in incense and perfume (oud oil)....
- BOLD
- Barcode of Life Data System, an international curated database linking COI sequences to verified voucher specimens with collection locality and taxonomic annotation....
- Chloroplast Genome (Plastome)
- A circular, 120-160 kb genome inside plant chloroplasts, present in hundreds of copies per cell. Its high copy number makes it recoverable...
- Diatom Test
- A laboratory test for ante-mortem submersion in which bone marrow (from sealed femur diaphysis) is acid-digested and the diatom species identified in...
- eDNA Meta-Barcoding
- Environmental DNA analysis using PCR amplification of a target gene region from a complex environmental sample (water, soil), followed by high-throughput sequencing...
- Frustule
- The silica cell wall of a diatom, composed of two overlapping valves (epitheca and hypotheca). Frustules are taxonomically distinctive, chemically resistant to...
- Metabarcoding
- Sequencing a mixture of DNA from many organisms simultaneously and using bioinformatics to assign each read to a taxon. For plant eDNA,...
- RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA)
- A PCR technique using short arbitrary primers (8-10 bases) that bind at multiple sites across a genome, generating a fingerprint pattern of...
- Species Resolution Rate
- The proportion of species-level queries for which the barcoding approach returns an unambiguous species identification rather than only a genus or family...
- Sporopollenin
- The highly chemically inert polymer forming the outer wall (exine) of pollen grains and spores. Resistant to acid, alkali, oxidation, and biological...
Explained in these topics
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- Plant DNA, the Paloverde-Seed Case and the Diatom Test in DrowningMaturase K gene, located in the chloroplast trnK intron. The second CBOL-approved plant barcode marker, with an approximately 870 bp diagnostic amplicon. Combi...
- Plant DNA Barcoding: rbcL and matKThe maturase K gene, embedded within the trnK intron of the chloroplast genome. It evolves faster than rbcL and therefore provides finer species-level discrimi...