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Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

RFLP; the acronym is pronounced "riflip". Restriction fragment length polymorphism is the identification of specific restriction enzymes that reveal a pattern difference between the DNA fragment sizes in individual organisms. To discover RFLPs, restriction enzymes (RE) are used to cut DNA at specific 4-6 bp recognition sites. Sample DNA is cut with one or more RE’s and resulting fragments are separated according to molecular size using gel electrophoresis. Differences in fragment length result from base substitutions, additions, deletions or sequence rearrangements within RE recognition sequences.

Although two individuals of the same species have almost identical genomes, they will always differ at a few nucleotides. Some of these differences will produce new restriction sites (or remove them), and the banding pattern seen on a genomic Southern will thus be affected. For any given probe (or gene), it is often possible to test different restriction enzymes until you find one which gives a pattern difference between two individuals - a RFLP. The less related the individuals, the more divergent their DNA sequences are and the more likely you are to find a RFLP.

RFLP is most suited to studies at the intraspecific level or among closely related taxa. Presence and absence of fragments resulting from changes in recognition sites are used for identifying species or populations.

Web Resources On Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

http://hal.weihenstephan.de/genglos/asp/genreq.asp?nr=196

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