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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, June 2001, p. 2781-2789, Vol. 67, No. 6
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.6.2781-2789.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Application of the 5' Fluorogenic Exonuclease Assay
(TaqMan) for Quantitative Ribosomal DNA and rRNA Analysis in
Sediments
Jennie R.
Stults,1
Oona
Snoeyenbos-West,2
Barbara
Methe,2
Derek R.
Lovley,2 and
Darrell P.
Chandler1,*
Environmental Microbiology Group, Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
99352,1 and Department of Microbiology,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
010032
Received 13 November 2000/Accepted 4 April 2001
In this study, we report on the development of quantitative PCR and
reverse transcriptase PCR assays for the 16S rRNA of
Geobacter spp. and identify key issues related to
fluorogenic reporter systems for nucleic acid analyses of sediments.
The lower detection limit of each assay was 5 to 50 fg of genomic DNA
or
2 pg of 16S rRNA. TaqMan PCR spectral traces from
uncontaminated, amended aquifer sediments were significantly lower
(P < 0.0002) than traces for the external standard
curve. We also observed a similar, significant decrease in mean
quencher emissions for undiluted extracts relative to those for diluted
extracts (P < 0.0001). If PCR enumerations were
based solely upon the undiluted sample eluant, the TaqMan assay
generated an inaccurate result even though the threshold cycle
(Ct) measurements were precise and
reproducible in the sediment extracts. Assay accuracy was significantly
improved by employing a system of replicate dilutions and replicate
analyses for both DNA and rRNA quantitation. Our results clearly
demonstrate that fluorescence quenching and autofluorescence can
significantly affect TaqMan PCR enumeration accuracy, with subsequent
implications for the design and implementation of TaqMan PCR to
sediments and related environmental samples.
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: 900 Battelle
Blvd., Mail Stop P7-50, Richland, WA 99352. Phone: (509) 376-8644. Fax: (509) 376-1321. E-mail: dp.chandler{at}pnl.gov.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, June 2001, p. 2781-2789, Vol. 67, No. 6
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.6.2781-2789.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
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