This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Benson, D. R. Articles by Silvester, W. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Benson, D. R. Articles by Silvester, W. B. Agricola Articles by Benson, D. R. Articles by Silvester, W. B.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl. Environ. Microbiol., Aug 1996, 2904-2909, Vol 62, No. 8
Copyright © 1996, American Society for Microbiology

Amplification of 16S rRNA genes from Frankia strains in root nodules of Ceanothus griseus, Coriaria arborea, Coriaria plumosa, Discaria toumatou, and Purshia tridentata

DR Benson, DW Stephens, ML Clawson and WB Silvester
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-3044, USA.

To study the global diversity of plant-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing Frankia strains, a rapid method was used to isolate DNA from these actinomycetes in root nodules. The procedure used involved dissecting the symbiont from nodule lobes; ascorbic acid was used to maintain plant phenolic compounds in the reduced state. Genes for the small- subunit rRNA (16S ribosomal DNA) were amplified by the PCR, and the amplicons were cycle sequenced. Less than 1 mg (fresh weight) of nodule tissue and fewer than 10 vesicle clusters could serve as the starting material for template preparation. Partial sequences were obtained from symbionts residing in nodules from Ceanothus griseus, Coriaria arborea, Coriaria plumosa, Discaria toumatou, and Purshia tridentata. The sequences obtained from Ceonothus griseus and P. tridentata nodules were identical to the sequence previously reported for the endophyte of Dryas drummondii. The sequences from Frankia strains in Coriaria arborea and Coriaria plumosa nodules were identical to one another and indicate a separate lineage for these strains. The Frankia strains in Discaria toumatou nodules yielded a unique sequence that places them in a lineage close to bacteria that infect members of the Elaeagnaceae.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Valdes, M., Perez, N.-O., Estrada-de los Santos, P., Caballero-Mellado, J., Pena-Cabriales, J. J., Normand, P., Hirsch, A. M. (2005). Non-Frankia Actinomycetes Isolated from Surface-Sterilized Roots of Casuarina equisetifolia Fix Nitrogen. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 460-466 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Oakley, B., North, M., Franklin, J. F., Hedlund, B. P., Staley, J. T. (2004). Diversity and Distribution of Frankia Strains Symbiotic with Ceanothus in California. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 6444-6452 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Clawson, M. L., Benson, D. R. (1999). Natural Diversity of Frankia Strains in Actinorhizal Root Nodules from Promiscuous Hosts in the Family Myricaceae. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 4521-4527 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ritchie, N. J., Myrold, D. D. (1999). Geographic Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Ceanothus-Infective Frankia Strains. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 1378-1383 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Clawson, M. L., Carú, M., Benson, D. R. (1998). Diversity of Frankia Strains in Root Nodules of Plants from the Families Elaeagnaceae and Rhamnaceae. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64: 3539-3543 [Abstract] [Full Text]