rbcL
Definition
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 provides only genus-level resolution in many groups.
- Location
- Chloroplast genome
- Barcode amplicon size
- Approximately 550 base pairs
- Forensic approval
- One of two CBOL-approved dual-barcode markers for vascular plants
Common questions
What exactly is rbcL and where do you find it in a plant?+
rbcL is a gene located in the chloroplast genome. It encodes the large subunit of RuBisCO, an enzyme that plants use for photosynthesis. Because it is in the chloroplast (inherited mostly from the mother plant), it is stable and reliable for plant identification work.
Why is rbcL useful in plant forensics?+
rbcL is one of two standard DNA barcodes approved for identifying vascular plants. When scientists amplify it, they get a piece of DNA about 550 base pairs long. This barcode is easy to generate from plant material and can be matched to databases to identify plant species or plant evidence at crime scenes.
Can rbcL identify every plant down to the exact species?+
Not always. rbcL works well in many plant groups, but it typically provides genus-level resolution, meaning it can narrow identification down to the plant genus rather than pinpointing the exact species. This is why forensicists sometimes use it paired with other barcoding markers for better precision.
Related terms
- matK
- Maturase K gene, located in the chloroplast trnK intron. The second CBOL-approved plant barcode marker, with an approximately 870 bp diagnostic amplicon....
- 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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