Lumbriculus variegatus Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) Analysis

In the current study, we have sequenced and analyzed a portion of the mitochondrial genome of Lumbriculus variegatus, an aquatic member of Phylum Annelida (segmented worms) and relative of the common earthworm, Lumbriculus terrestris. Mitochondria from Lumbriculus variegatus and Lumbriculus terrestris were isolated. The isolated genome was screened for linear or circular mtDNA by PFGE. Identified mtDNA was extracted from the agarose gel and digested with several different endonucleases. Gel electrophoresis was used to compare Lumbriculus variegatus mtDNA to Lumbriculus terrestris. Further some of the Lumbriculus variegatus mtDNA digested with RsalI, a endonuclease that creates blunt ends, and then cloned into the pSMART®‐HCKan vector (Lucigen). The resulting plasmids amplified and sequenced for gene analysis. Results demonstrate genes for RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis as detected in other eukaryotic organisms with some differences highlighted. Also, as expected, the restriction endonuclease analysis between Lumbriculus variegatus mtDNA and Lumbriculus terrestris mtDNA demonstrates a difference in specific restriction sites. Research support provided by the author.