Specific amplification of 18S fungal ribosomal genes from
vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi colonizing roots.
L. Simon, M. Lalonde & T. D. Bruns
Faculte de Foresterie et de Geomatique, Universite Laval, Sainte-
Foy, Quebec,Canada.
Appl Environ Microbiol 58: 291-295 (1992) [92171496]
Abstract
The first DNA sequences obtained from arbuscular endomycorrhizal
fungi are reported. They were obtained by directly sequencing
overlapping amplified fragments of the nuclear genes coding for
the small subunit rRNA. These sequences were used to develop a
polymerase chain reaction primer (VANS1) that enables the specific
amplification of a portion of the vesicular-arbuscular
endomycorrhizal fungus small subunit rRNA directly from a mixture
of plant and fungal tissues. The specificity of this primer for
arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi was demonstrated by testing it on
a number of organisms and by sequencing the fragment amplified
from colonized leek (Allium porum) roots. This approach, coupled
with other molecular techniques, will facilitate rapid detection,
identification, and possibly quantitation of arbuscular
endomycorrhizal fungi.