Comprehensive Detection of Phototrophic Sulfur Bacteria Using PCR Primers That Target Reverse Dissimilatory Sulfite Reductase Gene

A new set of primers for the detection of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in natural environments is described. The primers target the alpha-subunit of the reverse dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene (dsrA). PCR-amplification resulted in products of the expected size from all the phototrophic strains tested, including purple sulfur and green sulfur bacteria. Seventy-nine clones obtained from environmental DNA using the primers were sequenced and all found to be closely related to the dsrA of purple sulfur bacteria and green sulfur bacteria. This newly developed PCR assay targeting dsrA is rapid and simple for the detection of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in situ and superior to the use of culture-dependent techniques.