D. González-Mendoza, R. Argumedo-Delira, A. Morales-Trejo, A. Pulido-Herrera, L. Cervantes-Díaz, O. Grimaldo-Juarez and A. Alarcón
Published February 2, 2010
Genet. Mol. Res. 9 (1): 162-166 (2010)

About the Authors
D. González-Mendoza, R. Argumedo-Delira, A. Morales-Trejo, A. Pulido-Herrera, L. Cervantes-Díaz, O. Grimaldo-Juarez and A. Alarcón

Corresponding author:
D. González-Mendoza
E-mail: daniasaf@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

DNA isolation from some fungal organisms of agronomic importance is difficult because they have cell walls or capsules that are relatively unsusceptible to lysis. We have developed a fast DNA isolation protocol for Fusarium oxysporum, which causes fusarium wilt disease in more than 100 plant species, and for Pyrenochaeta terrestris, which causes pink root in onions. This protocol was based on the sodium dodecyl sulfate/phenol method, without β-mercaptoethanol and without maceration in liquid nitrogen; it uses phenol/chloroform extraction to remove proteins and co-precipitated polysaccharides. The A_260/280 absorbance ratios of isolated DNA were around 1.9, suggesting that the DNA fraction was pure and may be used for further analysis. Additionally, the A_260/230 values were higher than 1.8, suggesting negligible contamination by polysaccharides. The DNA isolated by this protocol is of sufficient quality for molecular applications; this technique could be applied to other organisms that have similar substances that hinder DNA extraction.

Key words: Genomic DNA extraction; Fusarium oxysporum; Pyrenochaeta terrestris; Polymerase chain reaction; Filamentous fungi.