Evaluation of 96-well high-throughput DNA extraction methods for 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding

Gaining meaningful insights into bacterial communities associated with animal hosts requires the provision of high-quality nucleic acids. Although many studies have compared DNA extraction methods for samples with low bacterial biomass (e.g. water) or specific PCR inhibitors (e.g. plants), DNA extraction bias in samples without inherent technical constraint (e.g. animal samples) has received little attention. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to identify a DNA extraction methods in a high-throughput format that decreases the cost and time for processing large numbers of samples. We here evaluated five DNA extraction protocols, using silica membrane-based spin columns and a 96-well microplate format and based on either mechanical or enzymatic lysis or a combination of both, using three bacterial mock communities and Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16SrRNA gene. Our results showed that none of the DNA extraction methods fully eliminated bias associated with unequal lysis efficiencies. However, we identified a DNA extraction method with a lower bias for each mock community standard. Of these methods, those including an enzymatic lysis showed biases specific to some bacteria. Altogether, these results again demonstrate the importance of DNA extraction standardization to be able to compare the microbiome results of different samples. In this attempt, we advise for the use of the 96-well DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit (Qiagen) with a zirconia bead-beating procedure, which optimizes altogether the cost, handling time and bacteria-specific effects associated with enzymatic lysis.     

DNA extraction for 16S rRNA gene analysis to determine genetic diversity in deep sediment communities

A protocol was devised which permitted the extraction of DNA from deep marine sediments up to 503 m below the sea floor. These sediments have been laid down over the last 3 million years. 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified from the DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. The details of the successful extraction and polymerase chain reaction methodology varied between samples from different depths. This emphasizes the attention to detail required to allow the diversity of bacteria in these deep sediments to be studied.     

Bacterial DNA detected on pathologically changed heart valves using 16S rRNA gene amplification

Nowadays, dental diseases are one of the most common illnesses in the world. Some of them can lead to translocation of oral bacteria to the bloodstream causing intermittent bacteraemia. Therefore, a potential association between oral infection and cardiovascular diseases has been discussed in recent years as a result of adhesion of oral microbes to the heart valves. The aim of this study was to detect oral bacteria on pathologically changed heart valves not caused by infective endocarditis. In the study, patients with pathologically changed heart valves were involved. Samples of heart valves removed during heart valve replacement surgery were cut into two parts. One aliquot was cultivated aerobically and anaerobically. Bacterial DNA was extracted using Ultra-Deep Microbiome Prep (Molzym GmbH, Bremen, Germany) followed by a 16S rRNA gene PCR amplification using Mastermix 16S Complete kit (Molzym GmbH, Bremen, Germany). Positive PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were analyzed using BLAST database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih/BLAST). During the study period, 41 samples were processed. Bacterial DNA of the following bacteria was detected in 21 samples: Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) (n?=?11; 52.38% of patients with positive bacterial DNA detection), Staphylococcus sp. (n?=?9; 42.86%), Streptococcus sp. (n?=?1; 4.76%), Streptococcus sanguinis (n?=?4; 19.05%), Streptococcus oralis (n?=?1; 4.76%), Carnobacterium sp. (n?=?1; 4.76%), Bacillus sp. (n?=?2; 9.52%), and Bergeyella sp. (n?=?1; 4.76%). In nine samples, multiple bacteria were found. Our results showed significant appearance of bacteria on pathologically changed heart valves in patients with no symptoms of infective endocarditis.     

Capturing greater 16S rRNA gene sequence diversity within the domain Bacteria

A large proportion of "universal" 16S PCR primers lack sequence homology to many of the "candidate" divisions, severely limiting bacterial diversity assessments. We designed a primer set that offers a 50% increase in silico in coverage of the domain Bacteria over the commonly used primer combination 27F/519R. Comparisons using pyrosequencing on soil environments showed a significant increase in recovery of taxonomic diversity with around a 3-fold increase in recovery of sequences from candidate divisions.     

Rapid identification of bacteria by real-time amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene

To allow rapid identification of bacteria in pure cultures and blood culture bottles, an assay was developed which is based on real-time amplification and sequencing of bacterial 16 S rRNA genes. In principle, this assay allows identification of bacteria from pure cultures within 6.5 h, and from blood cultures within approximately 7 h.     

应用16S rRNA基因文库技术分析土壤细菌群落的多样性

[目的]土壤微生物在菜田生态系统中具有重要的生态功能,通过16S rRNA基因克隆文库技术分析典型菜田土壤细菌群落结构的组成情况,为揭示典型的菜田土壤微生物的多样性以及土地利用变化与生态环境效应之间的关系奠定基础.[方法]采用未培养技术直接从北京和山东两地典型菜田土壤样品中提取微生物总的DNA,分别构建基于通用引物PCR扩增的土壤细菌16S rRNA基因克隆文库,通过Hinf Ⅰ和Hae Ⅲ限制性内切酶对两地土壤细菌16s rRNA基因文库中的克隆进行ARDRA(Amplified Ribosomal DNA Rstriction Analysis)分析,将所有阳性克隆分为若干个可操作分类单元(OTU).[目的]通过构建两地细菌克隆文库的系统发育树,并分析主要种群的组成表明:北京和山东菜田土壤细菌克隆文库的优势种群均为γ、β、α变形细菌亚群.两地的细菌种类组成分别包括124个OTUs和92个OTUs.[结论]北京地区和山东地区典型蔬菜地土壤细菌种群中优势种群均为变形细菌,但是土壤细菌多样性降低,这可能与典型菜田的多年连作,种植蔬菜种类单一直接相关.同时,也可能是造成菜田土壤病害普遍发生,土壤退化的一个重要原因.     

16S rRNA基因高通量测序法分析黄河太岁细菌的多样性

【背景】太岁在我国的记载由来已久,《神农本草经》记载其具有扶正固本、轻身不老的功效。但是,太岁作为一种生物体,它的组成分类尚不明确,因而其药用价值得不到有效的科学验证。因此,利用各种生物技术和手段来客观地分析太岁的成分,为利用和开发太岁提供科学依据。【目的】检测太岁(编号D15112285)中所含细菌的种类,探究太岁中可能存在的原核微生物的种类及其之间的关系。【方法】采用Illumina MiSeq 2×250系统对黄河太岁的细菌16S rRNA基因(V4区)进行研究,利用FLASH等软件对数据进行分析。【结果】共获得OTU(Operational taxonomical unit)626条,涉及19门49纲80目107科112属。在属的水平上前十的优势菌群有Bacteroides、Coprococcus、Escherichia、Ruminococcus、Lactobacillus、[Ruminococcus]、Oscillospira、Faecalibacterium、Shewanella和Halomonas。【结论】黄河太岁中存在多种不同种类的细菌。     

基于16S rRNA基因测序分析微生物群落多样性

微生物群落多样性的研究对于挖掘微生物资源,探索微生物群落功能,阐明微生物群落与生境间的关系具有重要意义。随着宏基因组概念的提出以及测序技术的快速发展,16S rRNA基因测序在微生物群落多样性的研究中已被广泛应用。文中系统地介绍了16S rRNA基因测序分析流程中的四个重要环节,包括测序平台与扩增区的选择、测序数据预处理以及多样性分析方法,就其面临的问题与挑战进行了探讨并对未来的研究方向进行了展望,以期为微生物群落多样性相关研究提供参考。     

Mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence diversity of hominoids

We determined nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (about 1.6 kb) for 35 chimpanzee, 13 bonobo, 10 gorilla, 16 orangutan, and 23 gibbon individuals. We compared those data with published sequences and estimated nucleotide diversity for each species. All the ape species showed higher diversity than human. We also constructed phylogenetic trees and networks. The two orangutan subspecies were clearly separated from each other, and Sumatran orangutans showed much higher nucleotide diversity than Bornean orangutans. Some gibbon species did not form monophyletic clusters, and variation within species was not much different from that among species in the subgenus Hylobates.     

Comparative performance of the 16S rRNA gene in DNA barcoding of amphibians

Background

Hybridization receives attention because of the potential role that it may play in generating evolutionary novelty. An explanation for the emergence of novel phenotypes is given by transgressive segregation, which, if frequent, would imply an important evolutionary role for hybridization. This process is still rarely studied in natural populations as samples of recent hybrids and their parental populations are needed. Further, the detection of transgressive segregation requires phenotypes that can be easily quantified and analysed. We analyse variability in body shape of divergent populations of European sculpins (Cottus gobio complex) as well as natural hybrids among them.

Results

A distance-based method is developed to assign unknown specimens to known groups based on morphometric data. Apparently, body shape represents a highly informative set of characters that parallels the discriminatory power of microsatellite markers in our study system. Populations of sculpins are distinct and "unknown" specimens can be correctly assigned to their source population based on body shape. Recent hybrids are intermediate along the axes separating their parental groups but display additional differentiation that is unique and coupled with the hybrid genetic background.

Conclusion

There is a specific hybrid shape component in natural sculpin hybrids that can be best explained by transgressive segregation. This inference of how hybrids differ from their ancestors provides basic information for future evolutionary studies. Furthermore, our approach may serve to assign candidate specimens to their source populations based on morphometric data and help in the interpretation of population differentiation.     

Comparative performance of the 16S rRNA gene in DNA barcoding of amphibians

BACKGROUND: Identifying species of organisms by short sequences of DNA has been in the center of ongoing discussions under the terms DNA barcoding or DNA taxonomy. A C-terminal fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) has been proposed as universal marker for this purpose among animals. RESULTS: Herein we present experimental evidence that the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fulfills the requirements for a universal DNA barcoding marker in amphibians. In terms of universality of priming sites and identification of major vertebrate clades the studied 16S fragment is superior to COI. Amplification success was 100% for 16S in a subset of fresh and well-preserved samples of Madagascan frogs, while various combination of COI primers had lower success rates.COI priming sites showed high variability among amphibians both at the level of groups and closely related species, whereas 16S priming sites were highly conserved among vertebrates. Interspecific pairwise 16S divergences in a test group of Madagascan frogs were at a level suitable for assignment of larval stages to species (1-17%), with low degrees of pairwise haplotype divergence within populations (0-1%). CONCLUSION: We strongly advocate the use of 16S rRNA as standard DNA barcoding marker for vertebrates to complement COI, especially if samples a priori could belong to various phylogenetically distant taxa and false negatives would constitute a major problem.     

16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer sequences analysis of the genus Myxococcus.

Phylogenetic relationships of the species belonging to the genus Myxococcus were elucidated based on the sequences of 16S rRNA genes and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The Myxococcus species were consequently classified into four distinct groups. The type strain of Myxococcus coralloides occupied an independent position (Group 1); it has been recently reclassified as Corallococcus coralloides. Group 2 comprised the type strains of both Myxococcus virescens and Myxococcus xanthus, and some strains assigned to Myxococcus flavescens. The type strain of M. flavescens was contained in Group 3 along with the strains of Myxococcus fulvus. Group 4 included the strains belonging to C. coralloides, M. fulvus, and M. stipitatus. The type strain of M. fulvus that was allocated outside Group 4 in the 16S rRNA gene tree belonged to Group 3 in the ITS tree. These results strongly suggest that the morphological characteristics of Myxococcus species are not consistent with the phylogenetic relationships. The Myxococcus species must therefore be redefined according to the phylogenetic relationships revealed in this study.     

Changes in the diversity of pig ileal lactobacilli around weaning determined by means of 16S rRNA gene amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Our study aimed to provide a comprehensive characterization of changes in porcine intestinal Lactobacillus populations around the time of weaning based on 16S rRNA gene amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DNA was extracted from the ileal contents of piglets at weaning (28 days of age) and after 1, 2, 5 and 11 days. PCR amplicons (V2-V3 fragments of 16S rRNA genes) were separated using DGGE. Predominant bands were excised and sequenced after reamplification. A band corresponding to Lactobacillus salivarius was present 1 and 2 days post-weaning (pw), while Lactobacillus crispatus was detected only 1 and 11 days pw. Lactobacillus sobrius gave the most dominant band in all animals. The number of bands decreased from 13+/-3 at weaning to 9+/-1 at 5 days pw, but the species richness had recovered by 11 days pw. The similarity of profiles between sampling days was high for 1 and 2 days pw (>91%), but was low for 5 and 11 days pw (<59%). The diversity of the profiles was lower 5 days pw, based on the Shannon diversity index (0.83+/-0.076 vs. 1.02+/-0.127 at weaning, P=0.042), but had recovered to preweaning values by 11 days pw. The application of group-specific DGGE showed that the Lactobacillus community within the porcine ileum undergoes dramatic, partly reversible changes as a consequence of weaning.     

Impact of DNA extraction,sample dilution,and reagent contamination on 16S rRNA gene sequencing of human feces

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Culture-independent methods have granted the possibility to study microbial diversity in great detail, but technical issues pose a threat to the accuracy of...     

Retrieval of nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences from environmental DNA following 16S rRNA-based community fingerprinting

16S rRNA-based fingerprinting techniques allow rapid analyses of overall bacterial community structure but suffer from a lack of phylogenetic information hitherto retrievable from the short 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from excised bands. An approach is presented that allows nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences to be retrieved for abundant components of the bacterial community as obtained by the community fingerprint, i.e. those reflected by major fingerprint bands. This was achieved by designing a pair of highly specific primers derived from the sequence of an excised band. Combined with universal 16S rRNA primers, these specific primers were applied directly to environmental DNA serving as template. This procedure allowed the generation of a nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the target taxon by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by cycle sequencing down to a relative abundance of at least 1.5% of the environmental DNA. The procedure was exemplified for an epsilonproteobacterium related to Thiomicrospira denitrificans occurring in the central Baltic Sea. This approach is based only on PCR without any cloning step involved. It allows focussing on specific target taxa and is thus rather efficient. This approach should be applicable in general to 16S rRNA or 16S rRNA gene-based fingerprinting techniques and their respective environmental DNA.     

Characterization of Cytophaga-Flavobacteria community structure in the Bering Sea by cluster-specific 16S rRNA gene amplification analysis

A newly designed Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene primer pair was employed to investigate the CF community structure in the Bering Sea, revealing a previously unknown and unexpected high CF diversity in this high latitude cold sea. In total, 56 clones were sequenced and 50 unique CF 16 rRNA gene fragments were obtained, clustering into 16 CF subgroups, including nine cosmopolitan subgroups, five psychrophilic subgroups, and two putatively autochthonous subgroups. The majority of sequences (82%) were closely related to uncultured CF species and could not be classified into known CF genera, indicating the presence of a large number of so-far uncultivated CF species in the Bering Sea.     

微生物分子生态技术：16SrRNA／DNA方法

综述了以16SrRNA／DNA为基础的分子生物学技术在环境微生物种群分析中的应用,目的是使相关的科研人员能够对16SrRNA／DNA技术有一个比较完整的了解,并可以开展初步的实验工作。主要内容包括：DNA指纹技术、16rDNA文库的建立、DNA测序及微生物分类鉴定(即系统发育树分析)、基因探针设计和测试、荧光原位杂交和核酸印迹杂交等。     

微生物分子生态技术:16S rRNA/DNA方法

综述了以 1 6SrRNA/DNA为基础的分子生物学技术在环境微生物种群分析中的应用 ,目的是使相关的科研人员能够对 1 6SrRNA/DNA技术有一个比较完整的了解 ,并可以开展初步的实验工作。主要内容包括 :DNA指纹技术、 1 6SrDNA文库的建立、DNA测序及微生物分类鉴定 (即系统发育树分析 )、基因探针设计和测试、荧光原位杂交和核酸印迹杂交等。