一株产L-天冬氨酸酶大肠埃希氏菌的噬菌体分离和生物学特性

【目的】从大肠埃希氏菌CICC 11021S发酵液中分离一株噬菌体,对其生物学特性进行研究。【方法】采用双层平板法分离噬菌体CICC 80003;利用透射电镜观察噬菌体形态;提取噬菌体基因组,核酸内切酶处理并进行凝胶电泳;分析噬菌体最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线、p H和温度稳定性、宿主谱。考察CICC 80003对CICC 11021S生长和L-天冬氨酸酶活力的影响。【结果】CICC 80003噬菌斑圆形透明,有明显晕环;头部规则,直径约50-60 nm,尾部长约120-130 nm;基因组能被核酸内切酶Bam H I和Mlu I切开;最佳感染复数0.1,潜伏期5 min,裂解期25 min,平均裂解量约86个;最适p H值8.0;90°C温育15 min,噬菌体全部失活;能裂解大肠埃希氏菌和沙门氏菌的部分菌株。发生噬菌体污染时,CICC 11021S无法正常生长,基本检测不到L-天冬氨酸酶活力。【结论】CICC 80003属于长尾噬菌体科ds DNA噬菌体,液体环境中能够彻底裂解大肠埃希氏菌CICC 11021S。     

噬菌体ΦEc-SL25对大肠埃希菌临床分离株裂解作用的研究

目的分离鉴定大肠埃希菌噬菌体并分析其裂解特性,为噬菌体疗法应用于大肠埃希菌感染提供实验依据。方法采用双层琼脂噬斑法从污水中分离噬菌体,通过透射电镜观察噬菌体的形态学特征,利用限制性酶切图谱初步分析噬菌体的基因组,测定噬菌体对宿主菌的最佳感染复数和一步生长曲线,分析噬菌体对宿主菌的裂解谱,观察噬菌体在不同的pH及温度下对宿主菌的裂解特性,SDS-PAGE分析噬菌体的主要和次要蛋白。结果通过噬斑法从污水中分离出1株能裂解大肠埃希菌的噬菌体,命名为ΦEc-SL25;电镜显示,噬菌体ΦEc-SL25的形态特征符合有尾病毒目、管尾病毒科噬菌体;ΦEc-SL25的最佳感染复数为0.01;一步生长曲线表明,噬菌体ΦEc-SL25的潜伏期为5 min,爆发期为10 min;ΦEc-SL25对26株大肠埃希菌的裂解率可达30.8%;在温度70℃20min时以及在pH 4~10的范围内,噬菌体ΦEc-SL25仍保持其裂解活性;蛋白电泳可观察到2条主要蛋白带和至少3条次要蛋白。结论噬菌体ΦEc-SL25是一种潜伏期短、裂解较性强的毒性噬菌体,可用于开发针对大肠埃希菌感染的生物制剂。     

肠侵袭性大肠埃希菌噬菌体DK-13的生物学特性及应用

【目的】筛选并分离出能裂解肠侵袭性大肠埃希菌噬菌体,分析其生物学特性,并探究其对污染猪肉的杀菌作用。【方法】采用双层平板法分离鉴定噬菌体,并测定其最佳感染复数,一步生长曲线等,对其基因组进行测序分析以及裂解功效的测定。【结果】从医院污水中分离鉴定能特异裂解肠侵袭性大肠埃希菌（Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli,EIEC）的噬菌体并命名为DK-13,其呈典型的蝌蚪状外形,包含一个正二十面体的头部和一个可收缩的螺旋对称的尾部,属于肌尾噬菌体科（Myoviridae）噬菌体;生物学特性表明：最佳感染复数为0.01,潜伏期约为10 min,裂解期约为70 min,噬菌体DK-13能在50℃,pH 5.0-10.0条件下存活。全基因组测序表明,噬菌体基因组长约172 275 bp,GC含量为40.18%,预测其共有293个开放阅读框（open reading frames,ORF）,未发现已知耐药基因和毒力基因。应用试验表明：被污染的猪肉中表现的杀菌效果良好,宿主菌的数量明显减少。【结论】分离并鉴定一株新的烈性噬菌体DK-13,DK-13具有潜伏期短、裂解效率高等优势...     

一株裂解性奶牛乳房炎源大肠杆菌噬菌体的分离鉴定及生物学特性分析

【目的】从新疆石河子地区奶牛粪样中分离裂解性大肠杆菌噬菌体(Escherichia coli phage),对其进行纯化及生物学特性分析。【方法】利用双层平板法从奶牛粪样中分离、纯化噬菌体,将纯化后的噬菌体浓缩液用醋酸双氧铀负染后通过透射电子显微镜观察其形态特征。对该噬菌体进行全基因组测序和遗传进化分析,同时测定噬菌体的宿主谱、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线、热稳定性及酸碱稳定性。【结果】分离并纯化出一株裂解性噬菌体vB_EcoM_XJ2,噬菌斑圆形不透明,直径0.7 mm–1.2 mm;电镜显示其头部呈正多面体对称,有可伸缩性尾部;核酸类型为双链DNA,基因组大小为75.617 kb,G+C%含量为42.09%;其核酸序列与大肠杆菌噬菌体NJ01和vB_EcoP_SU10相似性高达94%。生物学特性研究显示该噬菌体能裂解多株临床分离的大肠杆菌;能耐受60°C左右高温,在pH 5.0–11.0范围内效价稳定;最佳感染复数为0.1,潜伏期为15 min,暴发期为95 min,裂解量约为10.6 PFU/cell。【结论】vB_EcoM_XJ2是一株在不同温度、不同酸碱性环境中有较强适应能力的裂解性肌尾科大肠杆菌噬菌体。     

屎肠球菌噬菌体vB_EfaS_29生物学特性及基因组分析

【背景】随着屎肠球菌耐药性越来越严重,亟需筛选获得新的、裂解效率高且遗传背景清晰的裂解性噬菌体,丰富噬菌体资源,为噬菌体疗法提供可用的菌株。【目的】从江苏省南京市西岗奶牛场粪便样品中分离出一株裂解性屎肠球菌噬菌体,研究其生物学特性及分析基因组学特征。【方法】通过双层平板法对其进行纯化,观察噬菌斑特征,透射电镜观察噬菌体形态,测定一步生长曲线、pH耐受性、温度耐受性以及最佳感染复数,对噬菌体进行全基因组测序及遗传进化分析。【结果】分离并纯化的一株裂解性屎肠球菌噬菌体命名为vB_EfaS_29,其噬菌斑圆形透亮,外周无晕环。该噬菌体头部呈二十面体,头部直径约52.4 nm,尾长约157.1 nm,为长尾噬菌体科。该噬菌体的最佳感染复数为0.1,最高耐受温度为70℃左右,当pH值在6.0-9.0时其效价稳定。一步生长曲线表明,其潜伏期为10 min,暴发期约为50 min,暴发量为80。基因组全长41 014 bp,GC含量为34.99%,共有63个开放阅读框(Open Reading Frame,ORF),其中36个被注释出已知基因,基因组中不含毒力基因、耐药基因及整合基因。进化分析显示以裂解酶编码氨基酸为靶标对比,该噬菌体与GenBank上的粪肠球菌噬菌体vB_EfaS_DELF1相似性大于99%,但是以噬菌体衣壳蛋白编码氨基酸为靶标比对发现,该噬菌体肠球菌与其他噬菌体遗传距离均较远。【结论】分离出一株裂解性屎肠球菌噬菌体,对其进行生物学特性及基因组分析,为噬菌体研究和应用提供理论依据及研究基础。     

一株沙门氏菌裂解性噬菌体的分离鉴定及生物学特性

【目的】从贝类样品中分离到一株沙门氏菌裂解性噬菌体SLMP1,对其进行鉴定及生物学特性分析。【方法】采用双层平板法从贝类样品中分离沙门氏菌噬菌体SLMP1,观察噬菌斑特征,分析SLMP1的宿主范围;利用聚乙二醇8000沉淀浓缩SLMP1颗粒,用氯化铯等密度梯度离心纯化;采用透射电子显微镜观察纯化的SLMP1颗粒;采用酚-氯仿法提取SLMP1核酸,通过核酸酶处理分析核酸类型;分析SLMP1的热稳定性、pH稳定性、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线及裂菌效果。【结果】SLMP1噬菌斑直径约2–3 mm,圆形透明、边缘清晰;SLMP1能裂解肠沙门氏菌肠亚种和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌;SLMP1头部呈二十面体,直径约62 nm,含非收缩性尾部,尾长约110 nm,属于长尾病毒科;SLMP1核酸为双链DNA;SLMP1在30–60 °C稳定,在pH 4.0–11.0稳定,最佳感染复数为0.001,感染宿主菌潜伏期为10 min、裂解期为120 min、裂解量为51;SLMP1在液体环境中具有良好的裂菌效果。【结论】SLMP1属dsDNA长尾科裂解性噬菌体,具有沙门氏菌生物抑菌剂的应用潜力。     

一株强裂解性大肠杆菌T1样噬菌体新成员的分离与鉴定

【目的】自然界中噬菌体种类繁多,其裂菌功能在针对细菌耐药方面具有潜在应用价值。不同噬菌体也呈现出显著的基因多样性及宿主特异性。从上海某猪场仔猪肠内容物样品中分离、纯化大肠杆菌的裂解性噬菌体,分析其生物学特性和病毒学特征,为探索应用噬菌体治疗细菌性感染提供研究材料。【方法】采用双层琼脂平板法分离、纯化噬菌体,观察噬菌斑特征,通过电镜观察噬菌体形态特征,测定其裂菌谱、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线和生物学特性,进行噬菌体全基因组测序和遗传进化分析。【结果】分离、纯化获得一株能高效裂解大肠杆菌K-12菌株的噬菌体,命名为v B_Eco S_SH2(SH2),噬菌斑呈圆形、大而透明、边缘整齐。电镜观察SH2的头部呈二十面体立体对称,尾部较长。噬菌体的潜伏期为10 min,暴发期为60 min,裂解量高达121 PFU/感染细胞,其最佳感染复数为0.1。基因组测序和比对结果表明,SH2的核酸类型为ds DNA,基因组全长为49 088 bp,G+C%含量为45%,Gen Bank登录号为KY985004,结合电镜观察及BLASTp分析,确定其属于有尾噬菌体目长尾噬菌体科成员。同源性及进化分析表明,该噬菌体为大肠杆菌T1样噬菌体的新成员。【结论】分离鉴定了一株裂解效率极高的大肠杆菌T1样噬菌体,并确认其为T1样噬菌体新成员,为研究大肠杆菌噬菌体及其抗菌应用提供了新的实验材料。     

一株福氏志贺氏菌噬菌体的分离鉴定及其生物学特性

【背景】志贺氏菌是一类能引起人和动物腹泻的致病菌,由于抗生素滥用导致其耐药问题日益严重,寻找新的抗菌药物和治疗方法成为目前亟待解决的问题。【目的】检测志贺氏菌对肉鸡的致病性,分离纯化出一株可裂解强致病性志贺氏菌的噬菌体,并对其生物学特性进行研究。【方法】从病鸡肠道黏膜分离志贺氏菌;以健康肉鸡为动物模型进行攻毒,测定强致病性菌株的耐药性;并以此为宿主菌分离噬菌体,聚乙二醇(Polyethylene Glycol,PEG)沉淀法纯化浓缩噬菌体后,用透射电子显微镜观察其形态特征。利用双层平板法测定噬菌体的宿主谱、最佳感染复数、一步生长曲线、pH和热稳定性对噬菌体活性的影响。【结果】分离得到26株志贺氏菌,分别命名为BDS1-BDS26,其中BDS8致病性最强,经鉴定属于福氏志贺氏菌,而且存在多重耐药性,灌喂后的肉鸡出现严重腹泻和血便;解剖病症主要表现为心脏肥大、肠系膜出血明显等。以BDS8为宿主菌,分离得到噬菌体ΦDS8。透射电镜结果显示噬菌体ΦDS8的头部呈二十面体形状,直径61±2 nm,尾长165±2 nm,属长尾噬菌体科。噬菌体ΦDS8在pH 4.0-10.0、50℃以下范围内能保持较高活性,感染周期约为120 min,其中包括75 min的潜伏期和45 min的暴发期,暴发量为52 PFU/cell。【结论】噬菌体ΦDS8具有宿主特异性,在常规环境下具有较好的耐受能力,为噬菌体治疗福氏志贺氏菌病提供理论依据。     

鸡源大肠杆菌噬菌体vB_EcoM-E33的分离鉴定和基因组特征及其治疗效果评价

【背景】大肠杆菌是导致规模化养殖家禽死亡的重要病原体,噬菌体防治耐药性细菌感染具有广阔的应用前景。【目的】从鸡场环境样本中分离出噬菌体,研究其生物学活性特征及其对白羽肉鸡大肠杆菌病的治疗效果。【方法】采用双层平板法分离纯化噬菌体vB_EcoM-E33(E33);利用透射电镜观察其形态特征;克隆噬菌体E33基因组序列并分析其基因组特征;通过裂解谱、最佳感染复数、理化因子耐受性和一步生长曲线确定噬菌体E33的生物学活性;构建白羽肉鸡大肠杆菌感染模型,检测噬菌体E33的治疗效果。【结果】从鸡场粪便样本中分离到一株Straboviridae科噬菌体E33,其宿主谱为35.4%(34/96),基因组全长为170625bp,包含271个开放阅读框和2个tRNA,无毒力基因和耐药基因。以Escherichia coli E32为宿主菌增殖,噬菌体E33的潜伏期为10min,暴发量为60PFU/cell;当感染复数为0.001时,噬菌体E33效价最高,达到1.93×10⁹PFU/mL;在50℃以下和pH3.0–11.0范围内活性稳定;对紫外线敏感。口服10⁸CFU/mL的致病性E.coliO78构建白羽肉鸡感染模型,肌肉注射10⁸PFU/mL噬菌体E33具有良好的治疗效果。【结论】噬菌体E33具有宿主谱宽、裂解性能高、理化因子耐受性强、不携带有害基因等优点,具有较好的开发价值,有望作为抗生素替代品用于鸡场致病性大肠杆菌病的防控。     

编码志贺毒素噬菌体的多样性与宿主谱[英]／Shantini D…／／Infect Imnlun．

在美国，每年由大肠埃希菌O157：H7引起的感染报道为73000多病例，疾病表现为水样腹泻、血性腹泻以致出现血尿综合征，其主要致病因子是志贺毒素(Stx)。大肠埃希菌(STEC)如O157：H7产生的Stx有2种：Stx1及Stx2。Stx1与志贺痢疾杆菌产生的志贺毒素基本相同。Stx2与Stx1在氨基酸水平有55％同源性。STEC可产生Stx1或Stx2，或两者都产生，但重症疾病与Stx2有关。Stx是由溶源性噬菌体编码的。Stx2的编码噬菌体有高度多样性，从同一次暴发流行中分离到的O157：H7菌株，     

龙眼松散型胚性愈伤组织发生过程中相关蛋白的表达分析

以龙眼‘红核子’品种(Dimocarpus longan Lour.cv.Honghezi)松散型胚性愈伤组织(FEC)为材料,采用固相双向凝胶电泳技术和质谱鉴定技术,对其生长过程中相关蛋白的表达变化进行研究。结果表明:(1)龙眼FEC生长过程中,总蛋白点数在400~800之间,蛋白点数变化虽有升降起伏,但总体呈上升趋势;蛋白质pI集中在4~7之间;蛋白质分子量在14~97kD之间,表达量相对较高的是分子量在30~66kD的蛋白质,且30~45kD的蛋白点逐渐增多,45~66kD的逐渐减少。(2)龙眼FEC生长过程中质谱鉴定66个蛋白,其中28.79%为功能未知蛋白,30.30%涉及胁迫应答和抗氧化,10.61%涉及能量和糖代谢,10.61%涉及蛋白代谢和修复,6.06%涉及细胞骨架重构,4.55%蛋白是调控蛋白,3.03%是核酸代谢相关蛋白,而所占比例最少的为信号转导与细胞凋亡相关蛋白、氨基酸代谢相关蛋白、脂类代谢相关蛋白,以及维生素代谢相关蛋白均为1.52%。(3)龙眼FEC生长过程中,胁迫反应/氧化还原相关蛋白(抗坏血酸类过氧化物酶R147、R158和HC21,苄基醚还原酶同系物TH6、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶以及过氧化物酶L26)表达高峰出现在前期10~20d,而过氧化物酶4多在后期40~50d表达;蛋白质合成及修复的相关蛋白,只有蛋白质异形体1在10~30d表达量高,其他蛋白的表达高峰出现在前期10~20d之间,能量与糖代谢相关酶在整个过程中都有较大量的表达。     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Ovule and seed anatomy ofCistaceae and relatedMalvanae

Ovule and especially seed anatomy of eight species ofCochlospermaceae, Bixaceae, Cistaceae, Monotoideae, Pakaraimaeoideae (two subfamilies ofDipterocarpaceae), andSarcolaenaceae were investigated. All representatives show a bixoid chalazal region in the seed as probable exclusive synapomorphy among angiosperms. The palisade layer of the exotegmen is curved inwards at its proximal end and forms a dome-shaped structure. A plug of hypostase tissue with an annulus/core structure fits into this dome. Moreover, two additional tissue types in the hypostase can be found in some representatives of the group. These and other micromorphological, wood anatomical, and floral morphological characters, indicate that the taxa form a monophyletic group close toMalvales s. str. The form of the starch grains in the endosperm is compared and is described for the first time forPakaraimaea (Dipterocarpaceae) andLeptolaena (Sarcolaenaceae). The position ofDiegodendron close toBixa and the presumably more distant positions ofMuntingia andNeuradaceae are discussed.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

The hernandez and fernandez genes of Drosophila specify eye and antenna

The formation of different structures in Drosophila depends on the combined activities of selector genes and signaling pathways. For instance, the antenna requires the selector gene homothorax, which distinguishes between the leg and the antenna and can specify distal antenna if expressed ectopically. Similarly, the eye is formed by a group of "eye-specifying" genes, among them eyeless, which can direct eye development ectopically. We report here the characterization of the hernandez and fernandez genes, expressed in the antennal and eye primordia of the eye-antenna imaginal disc. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes have 27% common amino acids and include a Pipsqueak domain. Reduced expression of either hernandez or fernandez mildly affects antenna and eye development, while the inactivation of both genes partially transforms distal antenna into leg. Ectopic expression of either of the two genes results in two different phenotypes: it can form distal antenna, activating genes like homothorax, spineless, and spalt, and it can promote eye development and activates eyeless. Reciprocally, eyeless can induce hernandez and fernandez expression, and homothorax and spineless can activate both hernandez and fernandez when ectopically expressed. The formation of eye by these genes seems to require Notch signaling, since the induction of ectopic eyes and the activation of eyeless by the hernandez gene are suppressed when the Notch function is compromised. Our results show that the hernandez and fernandez genes are required for antennal and eye development and are also able to specify eye or antenna ectopically.     

Amino acids and sugars in nectar,and their putative evolutionary significance

Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.L. van der Pijl, Den Haag, in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant cyanidin glycosides in cherries and berries

Anthocyanins from tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton and Montmorency; sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae); bilberries, Vaccinum myrtillus L. (Ericaceae); blackberries, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); blueberries var. Jersey, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae); cranberries var. Early Black, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae); elderberries, Sambucus canadensis (Caprifoliaceae); raspberries, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae); and strawberries var. Honeoye, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. (Rosaceae), were investigated for cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The presence and levels of cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside 1 and cyanidin-3-rutinoside 2 were determined in the fruits using HPLC. The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was comparable to the commercial antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, and superior to vitamin E, at a test concentration of 125 microg/ml. Anthocyanins from raspberries and sweet cherries demonstrated 45% and 47% cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II inhibitory activities, respectively, when assayed at 125 microg/ml. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from these fruits were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 microM concentrations. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberry. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, sweet cherries and raspberries were 21, 16.5; 11, 5; 4.95, 21; and 4.65, 13.5 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 in yields of 24 and 22.5 mg/100 g, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.     

Pollen morphology ofSonchus and related genera,and a general discussion

The pollen morphology of the taxa belonging to the generaAetheorhiza Cass.,Launaea Cass.,Reichardia Roth andSonchus L. in the Iberian Peninsula has been studied with light and electron microscopy. The pollen is 3(-4)-zonocolporate and echinolophate (without polar lacunae, but in general with prelacunae), with equatorial ridges and 15–20 lacunae: 3–4 poral, 6–8 abporal and 6–8 paraporal. Small to medium size, P × E = 19–36 × 23–42 µm; sometimes two different sizes have been found. Exine 3–9 µm thick and ornamentation microreticulate and echinate. The results clearly show the relationships between genera. Moreno-Socías, E., Mejías, J. A., Díez, M. J., 1994: Morfología polínica deLactuceae (Asteraceae) en la Península Ibérica, I.Lactuca y géneros relacionados. — Acta Bot. Malacitana.19: 103–113.     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.