Genetic characterization of Mortierella alpina by sequencing the 18S-28S ribosomal gene internal transcribed spacer region.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish a genetic background of Mortierella alpina, which is a cosmopolitan, soil-inhabiting Zygomycete that also has important biotechnology potential.


RESULTS
A total of 44 18S-28S ribosomal gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 DNA) regions of M. alpina from three diverse locations (Far East Asia, North America and West-Central Europe) were sequenced and investigated. The sequences between M. alpina and the three closely related species (Mortierella macrocystis, Mortierella gamsii and Mortierella humilis) showed 74-84% sequence identity. When a phylogenetic tree was constructed with a neighbour-joining algorithm, four clades of M. alpina isolates were clearly distinct with high bootstrap values. In addition, isolates from the West-Central Europe were found to have the highest gene and nucleotide diversities.


CONCLUSIONS
The ITS region was a suitable tool for distinguishing M. alpina from other closely related species. The region also provided information of the diversity of M. alpina.


CONCLUSIONS
The study established a genetic background of M. alpina for identification and the diversity of M. alpina provided information for further isolation and screening of the fungus.
Ho
S Y
SY
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Chen
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D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020094:Mortierella / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny
D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer