Complete cloning of the chloroplast genome of safflower in λ EMBL3 and mapping of 23S and 16S rRNA genes

Summary A recombinant DNA library was constructed from partial BamHI or MboI digests of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) chloroplast DNA, in the BamHI site of EMBL3. Seventeen recombinants, selected by chromosome walking, were found to contain overlapping fragments of the entire chloroplast genome. These clones were mapped using single and double digests of BamHI, EcoRI and HindIII. cDNAs synthesized from isolated 16S and 23S chloroplast rRNAs were used to map the ribosomal RNA genes relative to physical maps of the above restriction enzymes. The mapped positions of the rRNA genes for the safflower chloroplast DNA are in good agreement with previously published data for tobacco, spinach and several other higher plants.     

Sequence organization of the chloroplast ribosomal spacer ofSpinacia oleracea including the 3′ end of the 16S rRNA and the 5′ end of the 23S rRNA

The 2201-bp spacer between the chloroplast ribosomal 16S and 23S genes ofSpinacia oleracea was sequenced. It contains the genes of the tRNA^Ile (GAU) and tRNA^Ala (UGC) which are both interrupted by introns of respectively 728 and 816 bp. These introns belong to the class II according to the classfication of Michel and Dujon [17]. Comparison of the rDNA spacer sequence of maize, tobacco and spinach indicates that no conserved polypeptide is encoded within the introns of the two tRNA genes and that the two main insertions/deletions between the three plants are located within two loops of the class II introns secondary structure, which is therefore conserved. Based on the sequence complementarity observed between the upstream and downstream parts, of the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, RNase III-like secondary structures involved in the processing of the rRNA precursor are proposed.     

Cleavage of the sarcin–ricin loop of 23S rRNA differentially affects EF-G and EF-Tu binding

Ribotoxins are potent inhibitors of protein biosynthesis and inactivate ribosomes from a variety of organisms. The ribotoxin α-sarcin cleaves the large 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) at the universally conserved sarcin–ricin loop (SRL) leading to complete inactivation of the ribosome and cellular death. The SRL interacts with translation factors that hydrolyze GTP, and it is important for their binding to the ribosome, but its precise role is not yet understood. We studied the effect of α-sarcin on defined steps of translation by the bacterial ribosome. α-Sarcin-treated ribosomes showed no defects in mRNA and tRNA binding, peptide-bond formation and sparsomycin-dependent translocation. Cleavage of SRL slightly affected binding of elongation factor Tu ternary complex (EF-Tu•GTP•tRNA) to the ribosome. In contrast, the activity of elongation factor G (EF-G) was strongly impaired in α-sarcin-treated ribosomes. Importantly, cleavage of SRL inhibited EF-G binding, and consequently GTP hydrolysis and mRNA–tRNA translocation. These results suggest that the SRL is more critical in EF-G than ternary complex binding to the ribosome implicating different requirements in this region of the ribosome during protein elongation.     

Detection and Quantification of Dehalogenimonas and “Dehalococcoides” Populations via PCR-Based Protocols Targeting 16S rRNA Genes

Members of the haloalkane dechlorinating genus Dehalogenimonas are distantly related to “Dehalococcoides” but share high homology in some variable regions of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. In this study, primers and PCR protocols intended to uniquely target Dehalococcoides were reevaluated, and primers and PCR protocols intended to uniquely target Dehalogenimonas were developed and tested. Use of the genus-specific primers revealed the presence of both bacterial groups in groundwater at a Louisiana Superfund site.“Dehalococcoides” strains are the only bacteria presently known to reductively dehalogenate the carcinogen vinyl chloride (10-12, 17, 22), and DNA-based approaches have been widely applied to detect and quantify these bacteria in mixed cultures and environmental samples (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20). As recently reported, Dehalococcoides strains are the closest previously cultured phylogenetic relatives of Dehalogenimonas lykanthroporepellens strains BL-DC-8 and BL-DC-9^T (18, 23). The newly isolated Dehalogenimonas strains, which can reductively dehalogenate a variety of polychlorinated alkanes (e.g., 1,2,3-trichloropropane and 1,2-dichloroethane) but not chlorinated ethenes (e.g., tetrachloroethene and vinyl chloride), however, are only distantly related to Dehalococcoides, with 90% identity in 16S rRNA gene sequences. Research reported here was aimed at (i) reevaluating PCR primers and protocols previously reported as allowing specific detection of Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene sequences in light of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the recently isolated Dehalogenimonas strains and (ii) designing and testing PCR primers and protocols that allow detection and quantification of Dehalogenimonas strains.     

The Thermus thermophilus5S rRNA–Protein Complex: Identification of Specific Binding Sites for Proteins L5 and L18 in the 5S rRNA

Three 5S rRNA-binding ribosomal proteins (L5, L18, TL5) of extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilushave earlier been isolated. Structural analysis of their complexes with rRNA requires identification of their binding sites in the 5S rRNA. Previously, a TL5-binding site has been identified, a TL5–RNA complex crystallized, and its structure determined to 2.3 Å. The sites for L5 and L18 were characterized, and two corresponding 5S rRNA fragments constructed. Of these, a 34-nt fragment specifically interacted with L5, and a 55-nt fragment interacted with L5, L18, and with both proteins. The 34-nt fragment–L5 complex was crystallized; the crystals are suitable for high-resolution X-ray analysis.     

基于18S rRNA和线粒体16S rRNA基因序列的柳蚕进化分析

为探讨柳蚕Actias selene Hübner与鳞翅目昆虫的系统发育关系,本研究利用PCR扩增获得了柳蚕核糖体18S rRNA和线粒体16S rRNA基因的部分序列,长度分别为391bp和428bp。并采用邻近距离法(NJ)、最大简约法(MP)、类平均聚类法(UPGMA)构建系统进化树。结果表明,柳蚕线粒体16SrRNA基因序列与大蚕蛾科昆虫的16SrRNA基因序列均表现出偏好于碱基AT的倾向。柳蚕与所研究的其它蚕类的遗传距离介于0.016至0.140之间,其中与温带柞蚕Antheraea roylii的遗传距离最小,与野桑蚕Bombyx mandarina的遗传距离最大。而基于鳞翅目昆虫18S rRNA基因部分序列的进化分析显示,柳蚕与柞蚕Antheraea pernyi之间的遗传距离最小(0.010),与蓖麻蚕Samia ricini的遗传距离最大(0.017)。     

Substitution by Inosine at the 3��-Ultimate and Penultimate Positions of 16S rRNA Gene Universal Primers

Universal 16S rRNA gene primers (8F and 518R) bearing inosine substitutions at either the 3??-ultimate or the 3??-ultimate and penultimate base positions were exploited for the first time to study the bacterial community associated with coral polymicrobial Black Band Disease (BBD). Inosine-modified universal primer pairs display some shifting in the composition of 16S rRNA gene libraries, as well as expanding the observed diversity of a BBD bacterial community at the family/class level. Possible explanations for the observed shifts are discussed. These results thus point to the need for adopting multiple approaches in designing 16S rRNA universal primers for PCR amplification and subsequent construction of 16S rRNA gene libraries or pyrosequencing in the exploration of complex microbial communities.     

Do mRNA and rRNA binding sites of E.coli ribosomal protein S15 share common structural determinants?

Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S15 recognizes two RNA targets: a three-way junction in 16S rRNA and a pseudoknot structure on its own mRNA. Binding to mRNA occurs when S15 is expressed in excess over its rRNA target, resulting in an inhibition of translation start. The sole apparent similarity between the rRNA and mRNA targets is the presence of a G-U/G-C motif that contributes only modestly to rRNA binding but is essential for mRNA. To get more information on the structural determinants used by S15 to bind its mRNA target as compared to its rRNA site, we used site-directed mutagenesis, substitution by nucleotide analogs, footprinting experiments on both RNA and protein, and graphic modeling. The size of the mRNA-binding site could be reduced to 45 nucleotides, without loss of affinity. This short RNA preferentially folds into a pseudoknot, the formation of which depends on magnesium concentration and temperature. The size of the loop L2 that bridges the two stems of the pseudoknot through the minor groove could not be reduced below nine nucleotides. Then we showed that the pseudoknot recognizes the same side of S15 as 16S rRNA, although shielding a smaller surface area. It turned out that the G-U/G-C motif is recognized from the minor groove in both cases, and that the G-C pair is recognized in a very similar manner. However, the wobble G-U pair of the mRNA is not directly contacted by S15, as in rRNA, but is most likely involved in building a precise conformation of the RNA, essential for binding. Otherwise, unique specific features are utilized, such as the three-way junction in the case of 16S rRNA and the looped out A(-46) for the mRNA pseudoknot.     

大麦叶绿体4.5S rRNA核苷酸序列测定及与其它叶绿体4.5S rRNA序列的比较

本文采用酶法和化学法测定了大麦叶绿体4.5s rRNA的全序列:其长度为95个核苷酸残基。与已知的其它植物叶绿体4.5s rRNA序列比较,它们之间有很大的同源性。     

Dereplication for biotechnology screening: PyMS analysis and PCR–RFLP–SSCP (PRS) profiling of 16S rRNA genes of marine and terrestrial actinomycetes

The search for exploitable biology is a major task for biotechnology-based industries. In this context, discrimination between previously tested or recovered micro-organisms (dereplication) is imperative, in order to reduce screening costs by sorting large collections of isolates, which are then subjected to further detailed evaluation. Pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) is a whole-cell fingerprinting technique that enables the rapid and reproducible sorting of micro-organisms, uses small samples and has the advantage of being fully automated. In this study, we compare chemometric fingerprinting with a ribotyping fingerprinting method, in order to investigate the extent to which pyrogroups formed by PyMS analysis relate to genetic diversity, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PRS). A mixture of environmental strains of mycolic acid containing actinomycetes was used to mimic the selection of colonies from primary isolation plates. The congruence found between the clusters defined by the chemometric and molecular fingerprinting techniques was very high and demonstrated the effectiveness of PyMS as a rapid sorting and dereplicating procedure for putatively novel strains, criteria that are critical for biotechnological screens. Moreover, PyMS analysis revealed significant variation within pyrogroups that contained strains with the same genotypic (PRS) characteristics, thus emphasising its discriminatory capacity at the infraspecies level.     

Identification of hypervariable regions within the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region of Flavobacterium columnare and its application in assigning genomovar group to an individual strain

Flavobacterium columnare is an important bacterial pathogen of fish with a wide genetic variability within the species. This intra-species diversity has been termed as genomovars and genomovar groups on the basis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms of 16S rDNA and 16S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR), respectively. In this study, we demonstrate the source of genetic heterogeneity in the F. columnare by sequence analysis of ISR. The length of ISR sequences of different genomovars varied from 553 to 592 nucleotides, while the similarity among sequences ranged from 76.1 to 92.6%. A common ISR structure with tRNA^Ala and tRNA^Ile embedded within the sequence was identified in all the genomovars of F. columnare. The results show that strains of F. columnare can be categorized into five genomovar groups based on the heterogeneity of the ISR sequences. Of these, strains belonging to Genomovar I and II can be sub-divided into two groups each; while strains of Genomovar III belong to one group. Sequence similarity between genomovar groups was lower for ISR (76.1–92.6%) as compared to 16S rDNA (96.1–99.4%) indicating its ability to resolve closely related groups within the genomovars of F. columnare. The main source of variation between the genomovar groups is the presence of three hyper variable regions (V1, V2, and V3) in the ISR. Of the three, V3 was found to be the most heterogeneous region and was found to be useful in assigning a genomovar group to an individual strain of F. columnare.     

6种水蛭的COⅠ、12S rRNA和16S rRNA基因及分子进化分析

水蛭是一种常见的传统中药,为了解常见蛭类细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ（COⅠ）、12S rRNA和16S rRNA基因特征和水蛭分子系统进化关系。对常用的入药品种日本医蛭（Hirudo nipponia）、宽体金线蛭（Whitmania pigra）、尖细金线蛭（Whitmania acranulate）和相近物种菲牛蛭（Poecilobdella manillensis）、光润金线蛭（Whitmania laevis）及八目石蛭（Erpobdella octoculata）的COⅠ、12S rRNA和16S rRNA基因进行扩增、测序,利用Mega 5.0分析基因特征、颠换率、分化年代,利用PAUP＊4.10b和MrBayes 3.1.2构建分子系统树。结果表明6种水蛭的COⅠ、12S rRNA和16S rRNA基因全长分别为1534~1536 bp、709~744 bp、1129~1173 bp,GC含量分别为32.35%~34.79%、24.42%~28.49%、24.82%~27.02%,总体颠换率为0.002%~0.760%,分化年代为3.55×106a~9.85×106a;每种水蛭为单系群的支持值均≥82。说明COⅠ、12S rRNA和16S rRNA基因具有种间特异性,可用于6种水蛭的分类鉴别。     

菌种1137116S rRNA序列分析及鉴定

通过PCR方法扩增菌种11371的16S rRNA基因并测序,将序列提交GenBank(登录号:DQ531606),并与其他链霉菌属种进行比较,通过DNAStar软件得到菌种16S rRNA基因序列进化树。同时采用插片法、显微镜观察等方法对株菌11371进行形态特征、培养特征、生理生化特征鉴定。结果表明,11371的16S rRNA序列与其他链霉菌具有一定的同源性,结合生理、生化指标鉴定结果,进一步确定菌种为不吸水链霉菌一株新亚种(Streptomyces ahygroscopicus subsp.wuzhouensis n.sub-sp.),菌株11371 16S rRNA序列为GenBank中首例Streptomyces ahygroscopicus的16S rRNA序列。     

蓖麻蚕5.8S rRNA基因的结构特点

利用计算机分析已知的蓖麻蚕(Attacus ricini)5.8S rRNA顺序,发现其上有一个PstⅠ位点。因此,将rDNA上PstⅠ位点两侧的DNA片段分别克隆在pWR 13质粒上。用末端终止法测定了蓖麻蚕5.8S rRNA基因全顺序及与之相邻的上、下游部分核苷酸顺序。发现5.8SrRNA基因3′端为pGGGCCGGCT_(OH)。这个结果与Feng,Y.X.等报道的蓖麻蚕5.8S rRNA顺序3′端是pGGGCCGAUUAA_(OH)有两个明显不同:第一,从共同顺序pGGGCCG算起,5.8S rRNA基因的3′端有九个核苷酸,比Feng Y.X.等报道的rRNA顺序3′端少两个核苷酸;第二,两者在3′末端共同顺序以后的两个核苷酸是不一样的。此外,还发现在蓖麻蚕5.8S rRNA基因上游有一个约30个核苷酸的poly(A)区。     

乌鳢肝5S rRNA的核苷酸序列

应用Peattie,Maxum等化学裂解法,辅以酶解直读法等测定了乌醴(Ophiocephalus argus)肝5S rRNA的核苷酸序列;与已知的虹鳟鱼和纵带泥鳅5S rRNA序列比较,发现它们之间的核苷酸序列具有高度的保守性.利用其一级结构所给出的信息,初步提出二级结构模型.     

16S rRNA PCR鉴定脆弱类杆菌

目的:应用16SrRNA序列设计PCR引物鉴别脆弱类杆菌。方法:通过脆弱类杆菌16SrRNA序列特异性位点设计引物,对4株脆弱类杆菌及大肠杆菌、乳酸杆菌、嗜热链球菌等进行PCR扩增。应用琼脂糖电泳法对PCR扩增产物进行特异性检测。结果:脆弱类杆菌在176bp左右出现特异性条带,而其他细菌均未出现特异性条带。结论:通过16SrRNA序列中特异位点设计引物进行PCR,可特异性鉴定脆弱类杆菌。     

Putative implication of 3′-terminal segment of 18S rRNA in translation initiation of uncapped mRNAs in plants

A putative implication 3′-terminal 18S rRNA segment in the cap-independent initiation of translation on plant ribosomes was studied. It was shown that 3′-terminal segment (nucleotides 1777–1811) of 18S rRNA including the last hairpin 45 was accessible for complementary interactions within 40S ribosomal subunits. Oligonucleotides complementary to this segment of rRNA, when added to wheat germ cell-free protein synthesizing system, specifically inhibited translation of uncapped reporter mRNA encoding β-glucuronidase. In the 5′-untranslated region (UTR), the reporter mRNA contained a leader sequence of potato virus Y (PVY) genomic RNA with fragments complementary to the region 1777–1811. A sequence corresponding to nucleotides 291–316 of PVY, which was complementary to most of the 3′-terminal 18S rRNA segment 1777–1808, was shown to enhance translational efficiency of the reporter mRNAs when placed into 5′-UTR. The obtained results suggest that complementary interactions between 5′-UTR of mRNA and 3′-terminal segment of 18S rRNA can take place during cap-independent translation initiation.     

Towards a phylogeny of phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria—16S rRNA oligonucleotide cataloguing of 11 species of Chromatiaceae

11 species from 7 genera of Chromatiaceae, depositing sulfur globules inside their cells, were analyzed by comparative oligonucleotide cataloguing of their 16S ribosomal RNA in order to determine the genealogical relationships to each other and to other Gram-negative phototrophic purple and non-phototrophic eubacteria. The rRNA data reveal that members of Chromatium, Amoebobacter, Lamprocystis, Thiocapsa, Thiocystis, Thiodictyon and Thiospirillum form a phylogenetically coherent grouping. The species investigated do not in each case cluster according to their present classification. Organisms storing sulfur inside their cells are moderately related to but clearly separated from members of Ectothiorhodospira, with which they form one of several sublines of group III of phototrophic purple bacteria as defined by Gibson et al. (1979).Dedicated to Professor H. G. Schlegel on the occasion of his 60th birthday.