Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of genetic relationships among Acanthopanax species.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to determine the genetic relationships among seventeen species of the Acanthopanax species. The DNA isolated from the leaves of the samples was used as template in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with twenty random decamer primers in order to distinguish plant subspecies at the level of their genomes. The RAPD patterns were compared by calculating pairwise distances using Dice similarity index, and produced to the genetic similarity dendrogram by unweighted pair-group method arithmetic averaged (UPGMA) analysis, showing three groups; a major cluster(twelve species), minor cluster (4 species) and single-clustering species. The results of RAPD were compatible with the morphological classification, as well as the chemotaxonomic classification of the Acanthopanax species. The Acanthopanax species containing 3,4-seco-lupane type triterpene compounds in their leaves corresponded to the major cluster, another species having oleanane or normal lupane type constituents to minor clusters, and one species not containing triterpenoidal compound to single-cluster.