Sequence heterogeneity of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes among Blastocystis isolates

Genes encoding small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) of 16 Blastocystis isolates from humans and other animals were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and the corresponding fragments were cloned and sequenced. Alignment of these sequences with the previously reported ones indicated the pres...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2003-01, Vol.126 (1), p.1-9
Main Authors: ARISUE, N., HASHIMOTO, T., YOSHIKAWA, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Blastocystis
Blastocystis - genetics
DNA, Ribosomal - genetics
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
genetic diversity
Genetic Variation - genetics
Heterogeneity
Molecular Sequence Data
Phylogeny
Protozoa
RNA, Protozoan - genetics
RNA, Ribosomal - genetics
Sequence Alignment
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
small subunit ribosomal RNA
Systematics. Geographical distribution. Morphology. Cytology
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Summary:Genes encoding small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) of 16 Blastocystis isolates from humans and other animals were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and the corresponding fragments were cloned and sequenced. Alignment of these sequences with the previously reported ones indicated the presence of 7 different sequence patterns in the highly variable regions of the small subunit ribosomal RNA. Phylogenetic reconstruction analysis using Proteromonas lacertae as the outgroup clearly demonstrated that the 7 groups with the different sequence patterns are separated to form independent clades, 5 of which consisted of the Blastocystis isolates from both humans (B. hominis) and other animals. The presence of 3 higher order clades was also clearly supported in the phylogenetic tree. However, a relationship among the 4 groups including these 3 higher order clades was not settled with statistical confidence. The remarkable heterogeneity of small subunit ribosomal RNAs among different Blastocystis isolates found in this study confirmed, with sequence-based evidence, that these organisms are genetically highly divergent in spite of their morphological identity. The highly variable small subunit ribosomal RNA regions among the distinct groups will provide useful information for the development of group-specific diagnostic primers.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182002002640