RNA sequence analysis shows that the symbionts in the ciliate Metopus contortus are polymorphs of a single methanogen species
- 1 October 1992
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in FEMS Microbiology Letters
- Vol. 97 (1-2) , 57-61
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1097(92)90363-s
Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify and partially sequence the 16S ribosomal RNA genes of symbiotic bacteria within the anaerobic ciliate Metopus contortus . In situ probing with fluorescent oligonucleotides showed that the amplified sequences orginated from a single species of archaebacterium which is closely related to Methanocorpusculum parvum . The probed symbionts exhibited a variety of shapes and sizes. These data support the hypothesis, first proposed on the basis of electron microscopy that the symbionts undergo a morphological transformation as part of the symbiotic process.Keywords
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