Species, Sequence Types and Alleles: Dissecting Genetic Variation in Acanthamoeba.

ABSTRACT: Species designations within Acanthamoeba are problematic because of pleomorphic morphology. Molecular approaches, including DNA sequencing, hinted at a resolution that has yet to be fully achieved. Alternative approaches were required. In 1996, the Byers/Fuerst lab introduced the concept of sequence types. Differences between isolates of Acanthamoeba could be quantitatively assessed by comparing sequences of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene, ultimately producing 22 sequence types, designated T1 through T22. The concept of sequence types helps our understanding of Acanthamoeba evolution. Nevertheless, substantial variation in the 18S rRNA gene differentiates many isolates within each sequence type. Because the majority of isolates with sequences in the international DNA databa

SUBMITTER: Fuerst PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7400246 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature