TABLE 1.

TM7-specific PCR primers and FISH probes and optimized conditions for use

Oligonucleotide	E. coli no.	Sequence (5′-3′)	Length (nt)	Tm (°C)a	% GC content	Optimized conditions
						Annealing temp (°C)b	% Formamidec
Primers
TM7314F	295–314	GAGAGGATGATCAGCCAG	20	54	50	60
TM7580F	563–580	AYTGGGCGTAAAGAGTTGC	19	58	50	60
Probes
TM7305	305–322	GTCCCAGTCTGGCTGATC	18	56	61		30
TM7905	905–926	CCGTCAATTCCTTTATGTTTTA	22	56	32		20
TM7522	522–537	CGTATGACCGCGGCTG	16	61	69		NA
TM7567	567–585	CCTACGCAACTCTTTACGCC	20	60	55		NA

^aNearest-neighbor melting temperature. 

^bAnnealing temperature of PCR using 1492R as reverse primer. 

^c46°C hybridization temperature and 48°C wash temperature. NA, not applicable (no specific hybridization signal was obtained).