Spacer length variation in rice 5S rRNA genes revealed by polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify 5S rRNA spacer from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon and O. nivara) and cultivated rice (indica and japonica varieties of O. sativa L). The results show that there is spacer length variation within and between species, and the typical indica and japonica varieties have their unique banding patterns of amplified 5S rRNA spacers, whereas intermediate showed no specific amplification profile of spacer regions. The 5S rRNA genes in intermediate are either identical with that of indica variety or that of japonica variety. These data suggest that the spacer length polymorphisms can be used to distinguish between closely ralated species and subspecies. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Yi Qingming, born in Apr. 1938, Professor