Revealing the diversity and quantity of peritrich ciliates in environmental samples using specific primer-based PCR and quantitative PCR.

ABSTRACT: Peritrichs are a diverse, ecologically important ciliate group usually with a complex life cycle. To date, the community of the peritrichs has been investigated by using morphology-based methods such as living observation and silver staining. Here we show a molecular approach for characterizing the diversity and quantity of free-living peritrichs in environmental samples. We newly designed four peritrich-specific primers targeting 18S rRNA genes that allow clone library construction, screening and analysis. A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay was developed to quantify peritrichs in environmental samples by using rDNA copy number as an indicator. DNA extracted from four water samples of contrasting environmental gradients was analysed. The results showed that the peritrich community w

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4103560 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature