Gp. Sims et al., Primary and secondary structure of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA of the naked, marine amoeba Vannella anglica: Phylogenetic implications, J MOL EVOL, 48(6), 1999, pp. 740-749
The primary and secondary structure of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (ssr
RNA) gene from the naked, marine amoeba, Vannella anglica (subclass Gymnamo
ebia), was determined. The ssrRNA is 1962 nucleotides in length, with a low
G+C content of 37.1%. The ssrRNA is composed of several uncommon secondary
structure features including helix E8-1, which may be a useful target for
rRNA probes for the direct identification of isolates in mixed culture. Phy
logenetic analysis of sequence data showed that V. anglica branched prior t
o the rapid diversification of the eukaryotes, It did not associate with th
e other naked, lobose amoebae represented by Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella,
indicating that Vannella represents a separate amoeboid lineage and the su
bclass Gymnamoebia is polyphyletic.