TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular and biochemical markers for monitoring dynamic shifts of cellulolytic protozoa in Reticulitermes flavipes
AU - Wheeler, Marsha M.
AU - Zhou, Xuguo
AU - Scharf, Michael E.
AU - Oi, Faith M.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - Lower termites rely on cellulolytic protozoa to aid in the digestion of their wood-based diet. However, despite the major contribution of protozoa to the lower termite digestive system, few techniques have been developed to monitor shifts in protozoan populations. This study investigated whether quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and/or cellulase enzyme assays can be used to monitor changes of cellulolytic protozoan populations in the lower termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Previously developed cellulase primer sets were used to test for changes in cellulase gene expression, while three different cellulase enzyme assays were used to assess changes in cellulase enzyme activity. The results from this study indicate that qRT-PCR is a reliable method to monitor shifts in cellulolytic protozoan populations. Specifically, qRT-PCR can serve as a useful monitoring technique during high-throughput screening of novel termite control agents such as cellulase inhibitors, and help to answer questions relating to whether or not such control agents impact cellulolytic protozoan populations.
AB - Lower termites rely on cellulolytic protozoa to aid in the digestion of their wood-based diet. However, despite the major contribution of protozoa to the lower termite digestive system, few techniques have been developed to monitor shifts in protozoan populations. This study investigated whether quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and/or cellulase enzyme assays can be used to monitor changes of cellulolytic protozoan populations in the lower termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Previously developed cellulase primer sets were used to test for changes in cellulase gene expression, while three different cellulase enzyme assays were used to assess changes in cellulase enzyme activity. The results from this study indicate that qRT-PCR is a reliable method to monitor shifts in cellulolytic protozoan populations. Specifically, qRT-PCR can serve as a useful monitoring technique during high-throughput screening of novel termite control agents such as cellulase inhibitors, and help to answer questions relating to whether or not such control agents impact cellulolytic protozoan populations.
KW - Cellulase
KW - Endoglucanase
KW - Exoglucanase
KW - Protozoa
KW - Quantitative real-time PCR
KW - R. flavipes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35448948371&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35448948371&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.09.010
DO - 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.09.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 17967355
AN - SCOPUS:35448948371
SN - 0965-1748
VL - 37
SP - 1366
EP - 1374
JO - Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF - Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
IS - 12
ER -