Identification of cyanobacteria and their toxigenicity in environmental samples by rapid molecular analysis

J A Baker; B A Neilan; B Entsch; David B McKay

doi:10.1002/tox.10010

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Identification of cyanobacteria and their toxigenicity in environmental samples by rapid molecular analysis

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Identification of cyanobacteria and their toxigenicity in environmental samples by rapid molecular analysis

J A Baker, B A Neilan, B Entsch and David B McKay

Environmental Toxicology: an international journal, Vol.16(6), pp.472-482

2001

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.10010

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Abstract

cyanobacteria

Microcystis aeruginosa

Anabaena circinalis

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

Aphanizomenon

Australia

molecular analysis

toxigenicity

We report molecular analyses which identify cyanobacterial strains present in environmental samples. These analyses do not require the isolation and culture of strains. Identification of cyanobacteria used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), based on the phycocyanin operon. Differentiation was either by restriction endonuclease digestion (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) or sequencing of the PCR products. Identification was based on sequence homology of the intergenic spacer region (IGS) between the - and -phycocyanin subunits (PC-IGS) with database records. We have found that the length and sequence of the PC-IGS is capable of predicting the genus accurately, but not the species. Toxigenicity was determined with oligonucleotide probes for key steps in the microcystin toxin synthesis pathway. We have shown that it is possible to easily and routinely obtain PCR amplification products and differentiate the strains in bloom samples. The methods can detect even minor components in bloom samples, which may not be apparent on microscopic examination. Genetic probes for microcystin toxigenicity are effective on environmental samples, eliminating the need for isolation and culture of the organisms. The use of a suite of tests described here will allow water managers to determine the presence and the type of cyanobacteria and their microcystin toxigenicity.

Details

Title: Identification of cyanobacteria and their toxigenicity in environmental samples by rapid molecular analysis
Authors: J A Baker (Author) - University of New England
B A Neilan (Author) - University of New South Wales
B Entsch (Author) - University of New England
David B McKay (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Environmental Toxicology: an international journal, Vol.16(6), pp.472-482
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Date published: 2001
DOI: 10.1002/tox.10010
ISSN: 1520-4081
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449182302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Toxicology; Water Resources

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