Abstract
Despite of the integrity of their RNA, some desert truffles present a non-canonical profile of rRNA where 3.3 kb is absent, 1.8 kb is clear and a band of 1.6 kb is observed. A similar rRNA profile was identified in organisms belonging to different life kingdoms, with the exception of the Kingdom Fungi, as a result of a split LSU rRNA called hidden gap. rRNA profiles of desert truffles were analyzed to verify the presence of the non-canonical profile. The RNA of desert truffles and yeast were blotted and hybridized with probes complementary to LSU extremes. RACE of LSU rRNA was carried out to determine the LSU rRNA breakage point. LSU rRNA of desert truffles presents a post-transcriptional cleavage of five nucleotides that generates a hidden gap located in domain D7. LSU splits into two molecules of 1.6 and 1.8 kb. Similar to other organisms, a UAAU tract, downstream of the breakage point, was identified. Phylogenetic comparison suggests that during fungi evolution mutations were introduced in the hypervariable D7 domain, resulting in a sequence that is specifically post-transcriptionally cleaved in some desert truffles.
Highlights
The fungi called “desert truffles” or “turmas” comprise certain species of mycorrhizal fungi, most belonging to the order Pezizales, which produce hypogeous and edible fruit bodies
For quality and integrity analysis, T. claveryi, T. arenaria, T. nivea, and P. lefebvrei RNAs were electrophoretically separated in agarose gel or with an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, using a 2100 expert_Eukaryote total RNA Nano Chip
In T. arenaria the LSU peak seems smaller than in other species but this is the result of a partial denaturation during RNA extraction (Leaver, 1973)
Summary
The fungi called “desert truffles” or “turmas” comprise certain species of mycorrhizal fungi, most belonging to the order Pezizales (division Ascomycota), which produce hypogeous and edible fruit bodies Their distribution is limited to arid and semi-arid regions, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East (Moreno et al, 2014; Zambonelli et al, 2014). Most of the species of Terfezia, Picoa, and Tirmania establish mycorrhizal symbiosis with plants of the family Cistaceae, mainly with perennial or annual species of the genus Helianthemum (Morte and Andrino, 2014). This symbiotic association plays a key role in the maintenance of Mediterranean shrubland and xerophytic grassland ecosystems, preventing erosion and desertification (Honrubia et al, 1992). This species has become an agricultural alternative in semi-arid areas due to its appreciated edible valuable product with low water requirements for cultivation (Morte et al, 2010)
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