A universal method for the identification of genes encoding amatoxins and phallotoxins in poisonous mushrooms

Agata Wołoszyn, Roman Kotłowski

Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny 2017

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As the currently known diagnostic DNA targets amplified in the PCR assays for detection of poisonous mushrooms have their counterparts in edible species, there is a need to design PCR primers specific to the genes encoding amanitins and phallotoxins, which occur only in poisonous mushrooms. The aim of the study was testing of PCR-based method for detection of all genes encoding hepatotoxic cyclic peptides - amanitins and phallotoxins present in the most dangerous poisonous mushrooms. Degenerate primers in the PCR were designed on the basis of amanitins (n=13) and phallotoxins (n=5) genes in 18 species of poisonous mushrooms deposited to Genbank of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The specificity of the PCR assays was confirmed against 9 species of edible mushrooms, death cap - Amanita phalloides and panther cap - Amanita pantherina. Designed two couples of PCR-primers specific to amanitins and phallotoxins genes can be recommended for detection of Amanita phalloides and other mushroom species producing hepatotoxic cyclic peptides - amanitins and phallotoxins.

Citation

Agata Wołoszyn, Roman Kotłowski. A universal method for the identification of genes encoding amatoxins and phallotoxins in poisonous mushrooms Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny. 2017;68(3):247-251