TY - JOUR
T1 - The potential use of mitochondrial ribosomal genes (12S and 16S) in DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of trematodes
AU - Chan, Abigail Hui En
AU - Saralamba, Naowarat
AU - Saralamba, Sompob
AU - Ruangsittichai, Jiraporn
AU - Thaenkham, Urusa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Background: Genetic markers like the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, internal transcribed spacer regions, mitochondrial protein-coding genes, and genomes have been utilized for molecular identification of parasitic trematodes. However, challenges such as the design of broadly applicable primers for the vast number of species within Digenea and the genetic markers’ ability to provide sufficient species-level resolution limited their utility. This study presented novel and broadly applicable primers using the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes for Digenea and aimed to show their suitability as alternative genetic markers for molecular identification of orders Plagiorchiida, Echinostomida, and Strigeida. Results: Our results revealed that the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes are suitable for trematode molecular identification, with sufficient resolution to discriminate closely related species and achieve accurate species identification through phylogenetic placements. Moreover, the robustness of our newly designed primers to amplify medically important parasitic trematodes encompassing three orders was demonstrated through successful amplification. The convenience and applicability of the newly designed primers and adequate genetic variation of the mitochondrial rRNA genes can be useful as complementary markers for trematode molecular-based studies. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the mitochondrial rRNA genes could be alternative genetic markers robust for trematode molecular identification and potentially helpful for DNA barcoding where our primers can be widely applied across the major Digenea orders. Furthermore, the potential of the mitochondrial rRNA genes for molecular systematics can be explored, enhancing their appeal for trematode molecular-based studies. The novelty of utilizing the mitochondrial rRNA genes and the designed primers in this study can potentially open avenues for species identification, discovery, and systematics in the future.
AB - Background: Genetic markers like the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, internal transcribed spacer regions, mitochondrial protein-coding genes, and genomes have been utilized for molecular identification of parasitic trematodes. However, challenges such as the design of broadly applicable primers for the vast number of species within Digenea and the genetic markers’ ability to provide sufficient species-level resolution limited their utility. This study presented novel and broadly applicable primers using the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes for Digenea and aimed to show their suitability as alternative genetic markers for molecular identification of orders Plagiorchiida, Echinostomida, and Strigeida. Results: Our results revealed that the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes are suitable for trematode molecular identification, with sufficient resolution to discriminate closely related species and achieve accurate species identification through phylogenetic placements. Moreover, the robustness of our newly designed primers to amplify medically important parasitic trematodes encompassing three orders was demonstrated through successful amplification. The convenience and applicability of the newly designed primers and adequate genetic variation of the mitochondrial rRNA genes can be useful as complementary markers for trematode molecular-based studies. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the mitochondrial rRNA genes could be alternative genetic markers robust for trematode molecular identification and potentially helpful for DNA barcoding where our primers can be widely applied across the major Digenea orders. Furthermore, the potential of the mitochondrial rRNA genes for molecular systematics can be explored, enhancing their appeal for trematode molecular-based studies. The novelty of utilizing the mitochondrial rRNA genes and the designed primers in this study can potentially open avenues for species identification, discovery, and systematics in the future.
KW - DNA barcoding
KW - Genetic marker
KW - Mitochondrial ribosomal genes
KW - Molecular identification
KW - Molecular systematics
KW - Trematodes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124445207&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12864-022-08302-4
DO - 10.1186/s12864-022-08302-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 35130837
AN - SCOPUS:85124445207
SN - 1471-2164
VL - 23
JO - BMC Genomics
JF - BMC Genomics
IS - 1
M1 - 104
ER -