An EcoRI 1428 bp A+T-rich, DNA element (MYCDIRE: MYCorrhizal fungus DIspersed Repetitive Element) has been identified in
the genome of Scutellospora castanea, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus. After sequencing, primers were designed and used in PCR
reactions to amplify portions of this element in five species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi belonging to four genera of Glomales.
Southern hybridizations and partial analysis of the main PCR products confirmed that this element was highly conserved in all the
species. Southern blot analysis of single and double digested DNA from two of the glomalean fungi gave smears suggesting that
MYCDIRE is scattered throughout the fungal genome. Sequence analyses revealed three copies of a previously reported
autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and comparisons indicated similarities of MYCDIRE with the
autonomously replicating, A+T-rich element (ACARS) from Acremonium chrysogenum.