THE USE OF AN OLIGONUCLEOTIDE THAT HYBRIDIZES TO DNA SEQUENCES INTERSPERSEDIN THE GENOME OF MEMBERS OF THE GENUS PHYTOPHTHORA AS AN ADJUNCT TO MORPHOLOGICAL CRITERIA IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

Authors: Scott, David; Tooley, Paul; Deahl, Kenneth; Maas, John; CLARK, CLARENCE - MOREHOUSE COLLEGE; FYFFE, ANDREA - TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY; WALKER, MICHON - TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In recent years considerable progress has been made in applying different molecular biology methods for use in systematic studies of the genus Phytophthora. The recent taxonomic framework for the 59 members of this genus is based upon morphological groups. Consequently a number of species are improperly identified because they possess morphological characteristics that are similar to another species. We have developed a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) that distinguishes taxonomically closely-related species. This procedure Multi- Allelic PCR takes advantage of conserved sequences that flank variable sequences. This procedure should assist microbiologists and plant pathologists in elucidating the taxonomic structure of the genus Phytophthora.

Technical Abstract: An oligonucleotide (primer), designed from a conserved region of the multi-allelic b locus of the basidiomycete fungus Usilago maydis, generated reproducible PCR fingerprints in Phytophthora species. The primer hybridized in a species specific manner to nucleotide sequences interspersed in the genome of the closely related members of Phytophthora taxonomic group IV. We recommend the use of this PCR procedure as an alternative method for resolving the close taxonomic affinity of some members of the genus Phytophthora.