Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization technique to detect simazine-degrading bacteria in soil samples.
We propose a new approach to evaluate the natural attenuation capacity of soil by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A specific oligonucleotide probe AtzB1 was designed based on the sequence data of the atzB gene involved in the hydrolytic deamination of s-triazines; this gene, located in a multiple copy plasmid was detected by the optimized FISH protocol. Two agricultural soils (Lodi and Henares) with a history of simazine treatments, and two natural soils (Soto and Monza), without previous exposure to simazine, were studied. AtzB1 probe-target cells were found only in the agricultural soils and, in a greater percentage, in the Lodi soil, compared to the Henares one. Moreover, the greatest percentage of AtzB1 probe-target cells in Lodi was accompanied by a greater mineralization rate, compared to the Henares soil. The FISH method used in this study was suitable for the detection of simazine-degrading bacteria and could be a useful indicator of the potential of soil bioremediation.
Martín
Margarita
M
Complutense University, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. margamar@vet.ucm.es
Gibello
Alicia
A
Lobo
Carmen
C
Nande
Mar
M
Garbi
Carlos
C
Fajardo
Carmen
C
Barra-Caracciolo
Anna
A
Grenni
Paola
P
Martínez-Iñigo
M José
MJ
D000383:Agriculture; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D015342:DNA Probes; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012839:Simazine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
D015342:DNA Probes; D012839:Simazine