Open AccessIdentification of antibiotics for use in selection of the chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
Author(s) -
Kristyn A Robinson,
Mallory Dunn,
Shane P Hussey,
Lillian K. FritzLaylin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0240480
Subject(s) - chytridiomycosis , biology , chytridiomycota , antibiotics , amphibian , neomycin , microbiology and biotechnology , identification (biology) , zoology , gene , genetics , ecology , ascomycota
Global amphibian populations are being decimated by chytridiomycosis, a deadly skin infection caused by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) and B . salamandrivorans ( Bsal ). Although ongoing efforts are attempting to limit the spread of these infections, targeted treatments are necessary to manage the disease. Currently, no tools for genetic manipulation are available to identify and test specific drug targets in these fungi. To facilitate the development of genetic tools in Bd and Bsal , we have tested five commonly used antibiotics with available resistance genes: Hygromycin, Blasticidin, Puromycin, Zeocin, and Neomycin. We have identified effective concentrations of each for selection in both liquid culture and on solid media. These concentrations are within the range of concentrations used for selecting genetically modified cells from a variety of other eukaryotic species.