Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/s12866-018-1331-4
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) A comprehensive fungi-specific 18S rRNA gene sequence primer toolkit suited for diverse research issues and sequencing platforms
Author Banos, S.; Lentendu, G.; Kopf, A.; Wubet, T. ORCID logo ; Glöckner, F.O.; Reich, M.
Source Titel BMC Microbiology
Year 2018
Department BZF; BOOEK; iDiv
Volume 18
Page From art. 190
Language englisch
Keywords Fungi; 18S rRNA gene sequence (SSU) primer; Annealing blocking oligonucleotides; Co-amplification; Real-time Q-PCR; Fungal biodiversity; Taxonomic classification; Community survey; FR-1; FF390
Abstract

Background

Several fungi-specific primers target the 18S rRNA gene sequence, one of the prominent markers for fungal classification. The design of most primers goes back to the last decades. Since then, the number of sequences in public databases increased leading to the discovery of new fungal groups and changes in fungal taxonomy. However, no reevaluation of primers was carried out and relevant information on most primers is missing. With this study, we aimed to develop an 18S rRNA gene sequence primer toolkit allowing an easy selection of the best primer pair appropriate for different sequencing platforms, research aims (biodiversity assessment versus isolate classification) and target groups.

Results

We performed an intensive literature research, reshuffled existing primers into new pairs, designed new Illumina-primers, and annealing blocking oligonucleotides. A final number of 439 primer pairs were subjected to in silico PCRs. Best primer pairs were selected and experimentally tested. The most promising primer pair with a small amplicon size, nu-SSU-1333-5′/nu-SSU-1647-3′ (FF390/FR-1), was successful in describing fungal communities by Illumina sequencing. Results were confirmed by a simultaneous metagenomics and eukaryote-specific primer approach. Co-amplification occurred in all sample types but was effectively reduced by blocking oligonucleotides.

Conclusions

The compiled data revealed the presence of an enormous diversity of fungal 18S rRNA gene primer pairs in terms of fungal coverage, phylum spectrum and co-amplification. Therefore, the primer pair has to be carefully selected to fulfill the requirements of the individual research projects. The presented primer toolkit offers comprehensive lists of 164 primers, 439 primer combinations, 4 blocking oligonucleotides, and top primer pairs holding all relevant information including primer’s characteristics and performance to facilitate primer pair selection.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21166
Banos, S., Lentendu, G., Kopf, A., Wubet, T., Glöckner, F.O., Reich, M. (2018):
A comprehensive fungi-specific 18S rRNA gene sequence primer toolkit suited for diverse research issues and sequencing platforms
BMC Microbiol. 18 , art. 190 10.1186/s12866-018-1331-4