Polymerase Chain Reaction-restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers Research Articles

Exploring the genetic diversity of Eimeria acervulina: A polymerase chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach

Eimeria, protozoan parasites that can cause the disease coccidiosis, pose a persistent challenge to poultry production and welfare. Control is commonly achieved using good husbandry supplemented with routine chemoprophylaxis and/or live parasite vaccination, although widespread drug resistance and challenges to vaccine supply or cost can prove limiting. Extensive effort has been applied to develop subunit anticoccidial vaccines as scalable, cost-effective alternatives, but translation to the field will require a robust understanding of parasite diversity. Using a new Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) panel we begin to describe the genetic diversity of Eimeria acervulina populations in Africa and Europe. PCR-RFLP genotyping E. acervulina populations sampled from commercial broiler and layer chickens reared in Nigeria or the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (RoI) revealed comparable levels of haplotype diversity, in direct contrast to previous descriptions from the close relative E. tenella. Here, 25 distinct PCR-RFLP haplotypes were detected from a panel of 42 E. acervulina samples, including 0.7 and 0.5 haplotypes per sample in Nigeria (n = 20) and the UK/RoI (n = 14), respectively. All but six haplotypes were found to be country-specific. The PCR-RFLP markers immune mapped protein 1 (IMP1) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) were most informative for Nigerian E. acervulina, while microneme protein 3 (MIC3) and HSP90 were most informative in UK/RoI populations. High haplotype diversity within E. acervulina populations may indicate frequent genetic exchange and potential for rapid dissemination of genetic material associated with escape from selective barriers such as anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of genes of virulent strain isolate of Toxoplasma gondii using enzyme DdeI

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular coccidian parasite distributed globally and is an important zoonotic pathogen. Approximately 30% of the human population worldwide is chronically infected with T. gondii. The pathogenicity of this species depends on the type originating from the clonal population. Techniques for more accurately determining the type of T. gondii have recently been developed using genetic markers. Specifically, T. gondii has been typed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). This study aimed to identify sets of PCR-RFLP markers that have high power to discriminate genotyping of T. gondii and are easy to use and are easy to use. The objective of this study was to characterize virulent strain isolates of T. gondii by PCR-RFLP using 10 markers with DdeI. Materials and Methods: T. gondii tachyzoites (RH virulent strain) were derived from culture cells at the Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences. Genotyping was performed on T. gondii DNA extracted from cell cultured tachyzoites using 10 genetic markers of PCR-RFLP, namely, B1#1, B1#2, B1#3, SAG1#1, SAG1#2, P30, BAG1, ROP1, GRA1, and GRA7, with digestion using the restriction enzyme DdeI. Results: The 10 genes were amplified by PCR. Among them, three genetic markers, B1#3, ROP1, and GRA1, were genotyped by the PCR-RFLP using restriction enzyme DdeI. Overall, the findings showed that the specific RFLP profile of digestion of gene regions by DdeI could be used as a specific marker for the virulent biotype causative of toxoplasmosis. In addition, virulent strains of T. gondii can be easily detected by these markers. Conclusion: Three pairs of primers (B1#3, ROP1, and GRA1) with DdeI have proven useful for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis (virulent strain biotype I). This proposed method is relatively simple, rapid, cheap, and can be performed in most laboratories, providing a practical approach for the routine analysis of T. gondii strains.

A simple method to generate PCR-RFLP typing profiles from DNA sequences in Toxoplasma gondii.

Multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) has been widely used to genotype microorganisms. Accumulation of data generated by this method has helped to reveal genetic diversity, population structure and transmission of many microbial pathogens. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies have made it possible to identify microorganisms by multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) or whole genome sequence typing (WGST) to reach high resolution of identification. While MLST and WGST are gradually replacing PCR-RFLP for genotyping, invaluable databases generated by the latter may not be easily linked to datasets generated by sequencing based methods. In addition, DNA sequences corresponding to PCR-RFLP markers are often deposited in public domains but not fully explored to infer the RFLP profile. To alleviate this problem, we developed a simple protocol that can generate PCR-RFLP profiles from DNA sequence data, therefore facilitating the integration of data generated by different typing methods. Here we used the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii as an example to bridge different typing methods.

PCR-RFLP 法による国内のトマト品種からのジャガイモシストセンチュウ抵抗性遺伝子<i>Hero A</i> の検出

We developed polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers for the potato cyst nematode (PCN) resistance gene Hero A in tomato. Using these PCR-RFLP markers, we evaluated the presence of Hero A in 22 tomato cultivars. All cultivars displayed complete concordance between their PCN phenotype and the genotype as determined by PCR-RFLP. We confirmed that PCN-resistant tomato cultivars in Japan contained the Hero A gene, whereas susceptible cultivars did not. PCN is a highly important quarantine pest, and the PCR-RFLP markers for Hero A provide a means of testing for resistance without the need to use live nematodes.

Taxonomic and ecological discrimination of Fagaceae species based on internal transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA has been used to confirm taxonomic classifications and define phylogenies in several plant species following sequencing or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. In this study, co-dominant ITS PCR-RFLP molecular markers were produced in 30 Fagaceae individuals belonging to the Castanea, Fagus and Quercus genera in order to assess the potential of this technique for taxonomic discrimination and determination of phylogenies. The complete ITS region (ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) was amplified in most of the Fagaceae individuals as a single fragment of ∼700 bp. The ITS amplified products were digested with nine restriction enzymes, but only four (HaeIII, HpaII, TaqI and Sau96I) produced polymorphic/discriminative patterns. The total expected heterozygosity (HE) was 20.31 % and the gene diversity (I), 32.97 %. The ITS polymorphism was higher within the Quercus genus (85.3 %). The ITS PCR-RFLP markers clustered the Fagaceae species according to genus or infrageneric group (in the case of Quercus sp. individuals). Five oaks did not cluster in line with the adopted infrageneric classification, but three of these were grouped according to their actual ecological distributions. The ITS PCR-RFLP markers indicated their potential for phylogenetic studies since all Fagaceae individuals were discriminated according to genus, and most of the oaks were clustered according to infrageneric group or ecological area.

English

Fifty-four Cymbidium kanran cultivars from China, Japan and South Korea were examined and analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers to determine their molecular diversity and relationships. In chloroplast (cp) PCR-RFLP analyses, genetic differences were revealed in 4 of 6 primer sets (66.67%) and 19 of 72 primer-enzyme combinations (26.38%), 116 polymorphic bands were detected. For mitochondrion (mt) PCR-RFLP markers, genetic differences were revealed in 2 of 8 primer sets (25%) and 55 polymorphic bands (53.49%) were detected with 7 restriction primer-enzyme combinations. According to the PCR-RFLP marker profiling data, all the cultivars were classified into four groups. The group 1 has included three subclusters that two of them were generally consistent with geography classii¬cation. Subcluster 1 and Subcluster 2 were mainly composed of Chinese cultivars. Comparably, Subcluster 3 was composed of two cultivars which originated from Japan separately. Group 2 comprised Huangchengzhiyue and Xiongnu originated from Japan. Group 3 was included in seven Chinese cultivars and five Japanese cultivars. Group 4 was composed of eight Chinese cultivars and four Japanese cultivars. Therefore, we demonstrated that the PCR-RFLP technique could provide a powerful tool for cultivar identification and establishment of genetic relationships of cultivars in cymbidium kanran. Key words: Cymbidium kanran, chloroplast (cp) polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), mitochondrion (mt) PCR-RFLP.

First isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

There are currently no reports on the isolation and molecular examination of Toxoplasma gondii from bats. Here, we report the isolation and genotypic characterisation of two T. gondii isolates from bats. A total of 369 bats from different municipalities in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, were captured and euthanised, and collected tissues (heart and pectoral muscle) were processed for each bat or in pools of two or three bats and bioassayed in mice (a total of 283 bioassays). Eleven PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) markers were used to genotype positive samples: SAG1, SAG2 (5′–3′SAG2 and alt. SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, c22-8, c29-2, PK1, CS3 and Apico. The parasite was isolated from two bats from São Paulo city: an insectivorous bat, the velvety free-tailed bat Molossus molossus, and a hematophagous bat, the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. Isolates were designated TgBatBr1 and TgBatBr2, respectively. The genotype of the isolate from M. molossus (TgBatBr1) has been previously described in an isolate from a capybara from São Paulo state, and the genotype from the D. rotundus isolate (TgBatBr2) has already been identified in isolates from cats, chickens, capybaras, sheep, a rodent and a common rabbit from different Brazilian states, suggesting that this may be a common T. gondii lineage circulating in some Brazilian regions. Isolation of T. gondii from a hematophagous species is striking. This study reveals that bats can share the same isolates that are found in domesticated and wild terrestrial animals. This is the first report of the isolation and genotyping of T. gondii in chiropterans.

PCR-RFLP genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from chickens from Espírito Santo state, Southeast region, Brazil: New genotypes and a new SAG3 marker allele

Brazil is one of the regions with the highest prevalences of Toxoplasma gondii in humans and animals. Because free-range chickens become infected by feeding from ground contaminated with oocysts, the prevalence of T. gondii in this host has been widely used as an indicator of the strains prevalent in the environment. The genetic variability among T. gondii isolates from different healthy and sick hosts all over the world has been recently studied. Three clonal genetic lineages (Types I, II and III) were initially recognised as predominant in Western Europe and the United States. T. gondii strains are genetically diverse in South America. In Brazil, recombination plays an important role in strain diversification. The objective of this study was to genetically characterise T. gondii isolates from free-range chickens from Espírito Santo state, Southeast region, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A total of 44 isolates among 47 previously described isolates (TgCkBr234-281) from free-range chickens were included in this study. Strain typing was performed using 12 PCR-RFLP markers: SAG1, SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico and CS3. Eleven genotypes were identified. Ten isolates (23%) were grouped into four novel genotypes. Four isolates, distributed in four counties, corresponded to the Type BrI lineage, the genotype found most frequently in Brazil. No clonal Types I, II or III lineages were found. Two novel genotypes were represented by single isolates. Unique alleles were identified for the markers SAG1, c22-8 and CS3, and for the first time, a unique allele was found for the marker SAG3. Although a large number of T. gondii genotypes have already been identified from a variety of animal hosts in Brazil, new genotypes are continuously identified from different animal species. This study confirmed the diversity of T. gondii in Brazil and demonstrates clonal Type I, II and III lineages are rare in this country.

High Degree of Plasmodium vivax Diversity in the Peruvian Amazon Demonstrated by Tandem Repeat Polymorphism Analysis

Molecular tools to distinguish strains of Plasmodium vivax are important for studying the epidemiology of malaria transmission. Two sets of markers-tandem repeat (TR) polymorphisms and MSP3α-were used to study Plasmodium vivax in patients in the Peruvian Amazon region of Iquitos. Of 110 patients, 90 distinct haplotypes were distinguished using 9 TR markers. An MSP3α polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using HhaI and AluI revealed 8 and 9 profiles, respectively, and 36 profiles when analyzed in combination. Combining TR and PCR-RFLP markers, 101 distinct molecular profiles were distinguished among these 110 patients. Nine TR markers arrayed along a 100 kB stretch of a P. vivax chromosome containing the gene for circumsporozoite protein showed non-linear linkage disequilibrium (I(SA) = 0.03, P = 0.001). These findings demonstrate the potential use of TR markers for molecular epidemiology studies.

Isolation and genetic characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii from a red-handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul), a jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi), and a black-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) from Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii isolates are highly diverse in domestic animals from Brazil. However, little is known about the genetics of this parasite from wild mammals in the same region. Reveal genetic similarity or difference of T. gondii among different animal populations is necessary for us to understand transmission of this parasite. Here we reported isolation and genetic characterisation of three T. gondii isolates from wild animals in Brazil. The parasite was isolated by bioassay in mice from tissues of a young male red handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul), an adult male jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi), and an adult female black-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita). The monkey and the jaguarundi had inhabited the Zoo of Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, for 1 year and 8 years, respectively. The wild black-eared opossum was captured in São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil, and euthanised for this study because it was seropositive for T. gondii (titre 1:100 by the modified agglutination test, MAT). Ten PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers, SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico, were used to genotype the isolates. T. gondii was isolated from the brain and heart homogenate of the monkey, the muscle homogenate of the jaguarundi, and the heart homogenate of the black-eared opossum. This was the first isolation of T. gondii from a neotropical felid from Brazil. The isolate from the monkey (TgRhHmBr1) was not virulent in mice, whereas the isolates from the jaguarundi (TgJagBr1) and the black-eared opossum (TgOpBr1) were virulent in mice. The genotype of the isolate from the monkey has been identified in isolates from a goat and ten chickens in the same region of Brazil, suggesting that it may be a common lineage circulating in this region. The genotypes of the isolates from the jaguarundi and the black-eared opossum have not been previously reported. Although there are already 88 genotypes identified from a variety of animal hosts in Brazil, new genotypes are continuously being identified from different animal species, indicating an extremely high diversity of T. gondii in the population.

Molecular characterization of accessions of crabgrass (Digitaria nuda) and response to ametryn

Digitaria species are sugar cane crop weeds in Brazil and are being controlled with herbicides, although there are some reports of control failure, notably to the triazine group. Molecular techniques are recommended to analyze the genetic variability in weeds. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and, in combination with sequencing, allow the localization of resistance genes, as well as possible mutations related to the onset of resistant individuals in some species. Thus, the objective of this work was to characterize ten accessions of Digitaria spp. by RAPD and PCR-RFLP markers, to sequence a conserved region of the psbA gene and evaluate the accessions response to ametryn. As showed by molecular analysis there was high genetic similarity among the accessions, all of them presented similar genetics profiles and were susceptible to ametryn.

Field Evaluation of Mortality from Hemolymph Extraction as a Source of DNA, and Application to PCR-RFLP Identification of Threatened Freshwater Mussel Species

Evolutionary convergence and plasticity of shell characters creates great confusion in freshwater mussel systematics and complicates field census efforts. Genetic identification offers a powerful alternative. But methods involving DNA sequencing are expensive and require tissue sampling, whose effects on survival and health of animals from natural populations have seldom been assessed. We used hemolymph sampling as a nonlethal source of tissue for DNA extraction, and developed genetic identification methods using Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis as an alternative for field surveys. We focused on two morphologically similar endemic species in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina: the abundant Elliptio waccamawensis and the less common Lampsilis fullerkati. These served as models for surveyors who are often faced with conducting accurate census of cryptic rare species that co-occur with more common forms. Hemolymph-sampled and control individuals of these two species and Leptodea ochracea were caged together in enclosures in Lake Waccamaw. Eight-week survival was 100% and we detected no significant effect of hemolymph extraction on shell growth. PCR-RFLP analysis of the 16s rRNA gene reliably identified species and detected cases of morphological misidentification, both in these collections and from belt transects in the lake. We also developed PCR-RFLP markers that distinguished pairs of cryptic taxa from surveys of streams in southeastern North Carolina. Our results show how nonlethal tissue sampling and PCR-RFLP assays designed for a regional fauna can be useful tools in freshwater mussel conservation programs.

Molecular Characterization of the Fusarium graminearum Species Complex in Japan

Members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex are important cereal pathogens worldwide and belong to one of at least nine phylogenetically distinct species. We examined 298 strains of the F. graminearum species complex collected from wheat or barley in Japan to determine the species and trichothecene chemotype. Phylogenetic analyses and species-diagnostic polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLPs) revealed the presence and differential distribution of F. graminearum sensu stricto (s. str.) and F. asiaticum in Japan. F. graminearum s. str. is predominant in the north, especially in the Hokkaido area, while F. asiaticum is predominant in southern regions. In the Tohoku area, these species co-occurred. Trichothecene chemotyping of all strains by multiplex PCR revealed significantly different chemotype compositions of these species. All 50 strains of F. graminearum s. str. were of a 15- or 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol type, while 173 (70%) out of 246 strains of F. asiaticum were of a nivalenol type. The possibility of gene flow between the two species was investigated by use of 15 PCR-RFLP markers developed in this study. However, no obvious hybrids were detected from 98 strains examined, including strains collected from regions where both species co-occur.

Cryptic speciation in liverworts – a case study in the Aneura pinguis complex

Bryophytes are amongst the most ancestral terrestrial plants and often have large distribution ranges across continents. Recent biochemical and molecular studies have suggested that many worldwide morphological species of bryophyte may represent genetically divergent and reproductively isolated cryptic species. We tested the cryptic species hypothesis in the thalloid liverwort Aneura pinguis complex. We applied analyses of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence variation and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods to discriminate between specimens of A. pinguis derived from various habitats in five distant geographical regions in Poland. Of the 19 specimens sequence characterized for the cpDNA tRNALeu region, seven haplotypes were identified divided into three nonmonophyletic clusters. The application of developed PCR-RFLP markers confirmed the existence of three tRNALeu types of A. pinguis (A–C) within the specimens derived from 21 populations. Sympatric populations of different tRNALeu types were found in lowland and mountain regions. No clear correlation between stand type and the presence of two tRNALeu types (A, B) was observed, as both were growing on soil, humus, and rocks. The tRNALeu type C was found only on humus and its distribution was restricted to low-lying northern populations. The above results indicate that the A. pinguis complex is highly differentiated at the molecular level and may represent three cryptic species. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 273–282.

Screening of ESTs from Septoria musiva (teleomorph Mycosphaerella populorum) for detection of SSR and PCR–RFLP markers

AbstractThe development of an expressed sequence tag (EST) collection for the poplar pathogen Septoria musiva presented an opportunity for the development of locus‐specific polymorphic markers. Five microsatellites simple sequence repeat (SSR) and six polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were identified and tested on three S. musiva populations collected in the north‐central and northeastern regions of North America. The results obtained support previously published random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) data.

Chloroplast DNA study in sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) using PCR-RFLP method

The chloroplast DNA of 96 sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and five cultivars of sour cherry (P. cerasus L.) were analysed to reveal their haplotypes using PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) method. The main advantages of the PCR-RFLP technique are: resolutive, time and cost effective and reproducible. Approximately 9.6% of the chloroplast genome was analysed, using six universal primer pairs and two restriction enzymes. All the mutations detected were insertion-deletions, ranging between 5–30 bp. The combination of all the mutations resulted in three haplotypes (H1, H2 and H3) in the 96 sweet cherry cultivars and a single haplotype (H4) in the five cultivars of sour cherry. The cpDNA polymorphism determined by PCR-RFLP markers helped to understand the maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome in sweet cherry, clearly distinguished the sour from the sweet cherry, and supported that P. avium is not the maternal species of P. cerasus.

Chloroplast and nuclear DNA studies in a few members of the Brassica oleracea L. group using PCR-RFLP and ISSR-PCR markers: a population genetic analysis.

A population genetic analysis of chloroplast and nuclear DNA was performed covering nine wild populations of Brassica oleracea. Three members of the n = 9 group, all close to B. oleracea, Brassica alboglabra Bailey, Brassica bourgeaui (Webb) O. Kuntze and Brassica montana Pourret, were also studied to better understand their relationship with B. oleracea. Chloroplast DNA was analysed using the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. The ISSR-PCR (inter-simple sequence repeat - polymerase chain reaction) technique was adopted to study nuclear DNA. Twelve primer pairs of chloroplast DNA showed very good amplification. The amplified product of each primer pair, digested by three restriction enzymes, revealed no variation of cpDNA among the taxa studied. This indicates they may have the same chloroplast genotype. Seven selected ISSR primers have detected genetic variation, both within and among the populations/taxa surveyed. The information obtained on the intra- and inter-populational genetic diversity of wild populations of B. oleracea neatly defined the individual plants. It could provide important guidelines for backing management and conservation strategies in this species. The study confirms a close relationship between B. alboglabra, B. bourgeaui and B. montana, which is parallel to their morphological similitude.

Population structure of the endangered wood decay fungus Phellinus nigrolimitatus (Basidiomycota)

The population structure of five Fennoscandian geographic populations of the endangered wood-decay fungus Phellinus nigrolimitatus (Romell) Bourdot et Galzin was examined by analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) spacer sequences (ITS and IGS1) and a partial sequence of the elongation factor 1α gene (efa). A high level of sequence variation was observed in ITS and IGS1, suggesting restrictions in nrDNA homogenization in this taxon. Six polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers, five located in nrDNA and one in efa, suggest that the geographic populations are genetically very similar, presumably owing to recent gene flow. However, linkage disequilibria were obtained in 50% of the cases in tests between the five nrDNA PCR-RFLP markers. The calculated FST values from the linked nrDNA markers and the unlinked efa marker were congruent, ranging from 0.006 to 0.042. In one geographic population, the efa locus showed significant deviation from Hardy– Weinberg expectations. Somatic incompatibility tests demonstrated that isolates derived from different basidiocarps and different logs belonged to different genets. In a microscale study including three logs, the independent assays of PCR-RFLP analysis and somatic incompatibility tests distinguished 10 genets. Life history traits and conservation status of P. nigrolimitatus are discussed in light of the results.Key words: Phellinus nigrolimitatus, population structure, somatic incompatibility, PCR-RFLP, nrDNA.

Genetic structure of populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 on potato in eastern North Carolina

A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was developed to identify and differentiate genotypes of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 subgroup PT (AG-3 PT), a fungal pathogen of potato. Polymorphic co-dominant single-locus PCR-RFLP markers were identified after sequencing of clones from a genomic library and digestion with restriction enzymes. Multilocus genotypes were determined by a combination of PCR product and digestion with a specific restriction enzyme for each of seven loci. A sample of 104 isolates from one commercial field in each of five counties in eastern North Carolina was analyzed, and evidence for high levels of gene flow between populations was revealed. When data were clone-corrected and samples pooled into one single North Carolina population, random associations of alleles were found for all loci or pairs of loci, indicating random mating. However, when all genotypes were analyzed, the observed genotypic diversity deviated from panmixia and alleles within and between loci were not randomly associated. These findings support a model of population structure for R. solani AG-3 PT on potato that includes both recombination and clonality.

Genetic Structure of Populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 on Potato in Eastern North Carolina

A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was developed to identify and differentiate genotypes of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 subgroup PT (AG-3 PT), a fungal pathogen of potato. Polymorphic co-dominant single-locus PCR-RFLP markers were identified after sequencing of clones from a genomic library and digestion with restriction enzymes. Multilocus genotypes were determined by a combination of PCR product and digestion with a specific restriction enzyme for each of seven loci. A sample of 104 isolates from one commercial field in each of five counties in eastern North Carolina was analyzed, and evidence for high levels of gene flow between populations was revealed. When data were clone-corrected and samples pooled into one single North Carolina population, random associations of alleles were found for all loci or pairs of loci, indicating random mating. However, when all genotypes were analyzed, the observed genotypic diversity deviated from panmixia and alleles within and between loci were not randomly associated. These findings support a model of population structure for R. solani AG-3 PT on potato that includes both recombination and clonality.