Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.

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