Variation in 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions among Bacillus subtilis 168 isolates

The genome of the Bacillus subtilis 168-type strain contains 10 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) operons. In the intergenic spacer region (ISR) between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, five rRNA operons, rrnI-H-G and rrnJ-W, lack a trinucleotide signature region. Precise determination of molecular weight (MW), using electrospray mass spectrometry (MS), of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from a segment of the ISR from the 168-type strain and B. subtilis 168-like strain 23071 demonstrated 114 and 111 basepair (bp) PCR products (due to the presence or absence of the insert in the operons) as predicted from sequence. However, PCR of the ISR segment for five other B. subtilis 168 isolates generated only a 114 bp PCR product, suggesting the presence of the trinucleotide signature region in all rRNA operons for these strains. Additional genetic variability between the seven B. subtilis 168 isolates was demonstrated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the rRNA operons, with three distinct patterns found upon Southern blot analysis. The 168-type strain and three others (23066, 23067, and 23071) exhibited the same Southern pattern. Thus, operon deletion is not responsible for the absence of a 111 bp product on MS analysis for strains 23066 and 23067. Restriction analysis confirmed the presence of the trinucleotide signature region in the ISR of all rRNA operons for five B. subtilis 168 isolates; sequencing of rrnW/H from a representative strain also upheld this finding. These results help provide a better understanding of variations in sequence, operon number and chromosomal organization, both within a genome and among isolates of B. subtilis subgroup 168. It is also hypothesized that the presence of the trinucleotide insert in certain rRNA operons may play a role in rRNA maturation and protein synthesis.     

The mosaic nature of intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions suggests rRNA operon copy number variation in Clostridium difficile strains

Clostridium difficile is a major spore-forming environmental pathogen that causes serious health problems in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. Consequently, reliable and sensitive methods for typing individual strains are required for epidemiological and environmental studies. Ribotyping is generally considered the best method, but it fails to account for sequence diversity which might exist in intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions (ISRs) within and among strains of this organism. Therefore, this study was undertaken to compare the sequence of each individual ISR in five strains of C. difficile to explore the extent of this diversity and see whether such information might provide the basis for more sensitive and discriminatory strain typing methods. After targeted PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing, the diversity of the ISRs was used as a measure of rRNA operon copy number. In C. difficile strains 630, ATCC 43593, A, and B, 11, 11, 7, and 8 ISR length variants, respectively, were found (containing different combinations of sequence groups [i to xiii]), suggesting 11, 11, 7, and 8 rrn copies in the respective strains. Many ISRs of the same length differed markedly in their sequences, and some of these were restricted in occurrence to a single strain. Most of these ISRs did not contain any tRNA genes, and only single copies of the tRNA(Ala) gene were found in those that did. The presence of ISR sequence groups (i to xiii) varied between strains, with some found in one, two, three, four, or all five strains. We conclude that the intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions showed a high degree of diversity, not only among the rrn operons in different strains and different rrn copies in a single strain but also among ISRs of the same length. It appears that C. difficile ISRs vary more at the inter- and intragenic levels than those of other species as determined by empirical comparison of sequences. The precise characterization of these sequences has demonstrated a high level of mosaic sequence block rearrangements that are present or absent in multiple strain-variable rrn copies within and between five different strains of C. difficile.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of rRNA operons for discrimination and intergenic spacer sequences for cataloging of Bacillus subtilis sub-groups

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of rRNA operons (RFLP) and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic region (ISR) sequences of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis, B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii, and B. atrophaeus were compared. ISR sequences of the B. subtilis subspecies were extremely similar (W23 versus 168 rrn H, J, G,W; 96.8%; rrn D, E; 98.4%; rrnB; 97.9%) and, therefore, not useful for their differentiation. However, RFLP of rRNA operons of the B. subtilis subspecies were distinct in terms of numbers and organization within the genome (e.g. the 168 sub-group generally contained 8.3- and 8.0-kb fragments absent in the W23 sub-group). The more distantly related B. atrophaeus was distinct from both B. subtilis subspecies in terms of ISR sequence and rRNA operon number and organization. RFLP of rRNA operons discriminates the two sub-groups of Bacillus subtilis that are indistinguishable by ISR sequence. However, ISR sequence defines the relatedness of B. subtilis to other species (e.g. B. atrophaeus) within the genus Bacillus.     

Inter- and intraspecific genomic variability of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer regions (ISR) in representatives of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The complete sequences of 32 intergenic spacer regions (ISR) from Acidithiobacillus strains, including 29 field strains isolated from coal, copper, molybdenum mine wastes or sediment of different geoclimatic regions in China, reference strain ATCC19859 and the type strains of the two species were determined. These data, together with other sequences available in the GenBank database, were used to carry out the first detailed assessment of the inter- and intraspecific genomic variability of the ISR sequences and to infer phylogenetic relationships within the genus. The total length of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains ranged from 451 to 490 bp, and from 434 to 456 bp, respectively. The degree of intrageneric ISR sequence similarity was higher than the degree of intergeneric similarity, and the overall similarity values of the ISRs varied from 60.49% to 84.71% between representatives of different species of the genus Acidithiobacillus. Sequences from the spacer of the A. thiooxidans and A. ferrooxidans strains ranged from 86.71% to 99.56% and 92.36% to 100% similarity, respectively. All Acidithiobacillus strains were separated into three phylogenetic major clusters and seven phylogenetic groups. ISR may be a potential target for the development of in situ hybridization probe aimed at accurately detecting acidithiobacilli in the various acidic environments.     

Precise molecular weight determination of PCR products of the rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus, closely related species of bacilli

Assessment of 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) sequence variability is an important supplement to 16S rRNA sequencing for differentiating closely related bacterial species. Species differentiation can also be achieved by determination of approximate size of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products of ISRs, based on their relative electrophoretic mobility on agarose gels. Closely-related species can have ISR PCR products that are similar in size. More precise molecular weight (M.W.) determination of these products might allow improved discrimination of such species. Electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-MS) has the potential to provide such precision. For ESI-Q-MS analysis, size limitation of PCR products is currently limited to around 130 base pairs (bp). Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus atrophaeus are two closely related species with few distinguishing phenotypic characteristics. B. subtilis has recently been sub-divided into two subgroups, W23 (type strain, W23) and 168 (type strain, 168). PCR products amplified from the ISR including the 5′ terminal end of the 23S rRNA and a conserved portion of the ISR were analyzed by ESI-Q-MS. A 119 or 120 bp PCR product was produced for B. atrophaeus strains. However, strains of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 each produced 114 bp products. In summary, a mass spectrometry method was developed for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus. Also, the genetic similarity of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 was confirmed. Accurate determination of the molecular weight of PCR products from the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry has great potential as a general technique for characterizing closely related bacterial species.     

Comparative analysis of the whole set of rRNA operons between an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Sakai strain and an Escherichia coli K-12 strain MG1655

Two primer sets for direct sequence determination of all seven rRNA operons (rrn) of Escherichia coli have been developed; one is for specific-amplification of each rrn operon and the other is for direct sequencing of the amplified operons. Using these primer sets, we determined the nucleotide sequences of seven rrn operons, including promoter and terminator regions, of an enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O157:H7 Sakai strain. To elucidate the intercistronic or intraspecific variation of rrn operons, their sequences were compared with those for the K-12 rrn operons. The rrn genes and the internal transcribed spacer regions showed a higher similarity to each other in each strain than between the corresponding operons of the two strains. However, the degree of intercistronic homogeneity was much higher in the EHEC strain than in K-12. In contrast, promoter and terminator regions in each operons were conserved between the corresponding operons of the two strains, which exceeded intercistronic similarity.     

The Mosaic Nature of Intergenic 16S-23S rRNA Spacer Regions Suggests rRNA Operon Copy Number Variation in Clostridium difficile Strains

Clostridium difficile is a major spore-forming environmental pathogen that causes serious health problems in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. Consequently, reliable and sensitive methods for typing individual strains are required for epidemiological and environmental studies. Ribotyping is generally considered the best method, but it fails to account for sequence diversity which might exist in intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions (ISRs) within and among strains of this organism. Therefore, this study was undertaken to compare the sequence of each individual ISR in five strains of C. difficile to explore the extent of this diversity and see whether such information might provide the basis for more sensitive and discriminatory strain typing methods. After targeted PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing, the diversity of the ISRs was used as a measure of rRNA operon copy number. In C. difficile strains 630, ATCC 43593, A, and B, 11, 11, 7, and 8 ISR length variants, respectively, were found (containing different combinations of sequence groups [i to xiii]), suggesting 11, 11, 7, and 8 rrn copies in the respective strains. Many ISRs of the same length differed markedly in their sequences, and some of these were restricted in occurrence to a single strain. Most of these ISRs did not contain any tRNA genes, and only single copies of the tRNA^Ala gene were found in those that did. The presence of ISR sequence groups (i to xiii) varied between strains, with some found in one, two, three, four, or all five strains. We conclude that the intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions showed a high degree of diversity, not only among the rrn operons in different strains and different rrn copies in a single strain but also among ISRs of the same length. It appears that C. difficile ISRs vary more at the inter- and intragenic levels than those of other species as determined by empirical comparison of sequences. The precise characterization of these sequences has demonstrated a high level of mosaic sequence block rearrangements that are present or absent in multiple strain-variable rrn copies within and between five different strains of C. difficile.     

Analysis of 16S-23S intergenic spacer regions of the rRNA operons in Edwardsiella ictaluri and Edwardsiella tarda isolates from fish

AIMS: To analyse interspecies and intraspecies differences based on the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) sequences of the fish pathogens Edwardsiella ictaluri and Edwardsiella tarda. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 16S-23S rRNA spacer regions of 19 Edw. ictaluri and four Edw. tarda isolates from four geographical regions were amplified by PCR with primers complementary to conserved sequences within the flanking 16S-23S rRNA coding sequences. Two products were generated from all isolates, without interspecies or intraspecific size polymorphisms. Sequence analysis of the amplified fragments revealed a smaller ISR of 350 bp, which contained a gene for tRNA(Glu), and a larger ISR of 441 bp, which contained genes for tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala). The sequences of the smaller ISR of different Edw. ictaluri isolates were essentially identical to each other. Partial sequences of larger ISR from several Edw. ictaluri isolates also revealed no differences from the one complete Edw. ictaluri large ISR sequence obtained. The sequences of the smaller ISR of Edw. tarda were 97% identical to the Edw. ictaluri smaller ISR and the larger ISR were 96-98% identical to the Edw. ictaluri larger ISR sequence. The Edw. tarda isolates displayed limited ISR sequence heterogeneity, with > or =97% sequence identity among isolates for both small and large ISR. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high degree of size and sequence similarity of 16S-23S ISR both among isolates within Edw. ictaluri and Edw. tarda species and between the two species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results confirm a close genetic relationship between Edw. ictaluri and Edw. tarda and the relative homogeneity of Edw. ictaluri isolates compared with Edw. tarda isolates. Because no differences were found in ISR sequences among Edw. ictaluri isolates, sequence analysis of the ISR will not be useful to distinguish isolates of Edw. ictaluri. However, we identified restriction sites that differ between ISR sequences of Edw. ictaluri and Edw. tarda, which will be useful in distinguishing the two species.     

Precise molecular weight determination of PCR products of the rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus, closely related species of bacilli

Assessment of 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) sequence variability is an important supplement to 16S rRNA sequencing for differentiating closely related bacterial species. Species differentiation can also be achieved by determination of approximate size of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products of ISRs, based on their relative electrophoretic mobility on agarose gels. Closely-related species can have ISR PCR products that are similar in size. More precise molecular weight (M.W.) determination of these products might allow improved discrimination of such species. Electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-MS) has the potential to provide such precision. For ESI-Q-MS analysis, size limitation of PCR products is currently limited to around 130 base pairs (bp). Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus atrophaeus are two closely related species with few distinguishing phenotypic characteristics. B. subtilis has recently been sub-divided into two subgroups, W23 (type strain, W23) and 168 (type strain, 168). PCR products amplified from the ISR including the 5′ terminal end of the 23S rRNA and a conserved portion of the ISR were analyzed by ESI-Q-MS. A 119 or 120 bp PCR product was produced for B. atrophaeus strains. However, strains of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 each produced 114 bp products. In summary, a mass spectrometry method was developed for differentiation of B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus. Also, the genetic similarity of B. subtilis subgroups W23 and 168 was confirmed. Accurate determination of the molecular weight of PCR products from the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region using electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry has great potential as a general technique for characterizing closely related bacterial species.     

Sequence Diversity in the 16S–23S Intergenic Spacer Region (ISR) of the rRNA Operons in Representatives of the Escherichia coli ECOR Collection

The ribosomal RNA multigene family in Escherichia coli comprises seven rrn operons of similar, but not identical, sequence. Four operons (rrnC, B, G, and E) contain genes in the 16S–23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) for tRNA^Glu-2 and three (rrnA, D, and H) contain genes for tRNA^Ile-1 and tRNA^Ala-1B. To increase our understanding of their molecular evolution, we have determined the ISR sequence of the seven operons in a set of 12 strains from the ECOR collection. Each operon was specifically amplified using polymerase chain reaction primers designed from genes or open reading frames located upstream of the 16S rRNA genes in E. coli K12. With a single exception (ECOR 40), ISRs containing one or two tRNA genes were found at the same respective loci as those of strain K12. Intercistronic heterogeneity already found in K12 was representative of most variation among the strains studied and the location of polymorphic sites was the same. Dispersed nucleotide substitutions were very few but 21 variable sites were found grouped in a stem-loop, although the secondary structure was conserved. Some regions were found in which a stretch of nucleotides was substituted in block by one alternative, apparently unrelated, sequence (as illustrated by the known putative insertion of rsl in K12). Except for substitutions of different sizes and insertions/deletions found in the ISR, the pattern of nucleotide variation is very similar to that found for the 16S rRNA gene in E. coli. Strains K12 and ECOR 40 showed the highest intercistronic heterogeneity. Most strains showed a strong tendency to homogenization. Concerted evolution could explain the notorious conservation of this region that is supposed to have low functional restrictions. Received: 31 July 1997 / Accepted: 17 October 1997     

Structural analysis and genetic variation of the 16S-23S rDNA internal spacer region from Micrococcus luteus strains

AIMS: To clone and sequence the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal spacer region (ISR) from Micrococcus luteus. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primer pair for 16S-23S rDNA ISR amplified a fragment of about 850 bp in length for two strains, JCM3347 and JCM3348 and a fragment of about 790 bp for a strain, ATCC9341. After sequencing the ISRs were identified by the comparison of the ISRs and the flanking regions of ISR. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sequence difference of the ISR occurred at only one position between the two JCM strains, the highly variable length (440 and 370 bp) and sequence similarity (about 40%) were demonstrated between the ISRs of the two JCM strains and a ATCC strain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A CCTCCT sequence was first detected at the 3'-end of the 16S rDNA of the three strains. Moreover, highly similar sequence to the 21-bp region containing a putative rRNA processing site was observed in the ISR of the three strains. Interestingly, no intercistronic tRNAs were demonstrated in the ISRs from the three strains.     

Comparative and functional analysis of the rRNA-operons and their tRNA gene complement in different lactic acid bacteria

The complete genome sequences of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, and Lactobacillus johnsonii were used to compare location, sequence, organisation, and regulation of the ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons. All rrn operons of the examined LAB diverge from the origin of replication, which is compatible with their efficient expression. All operons show a common organisation of 5'-16S-23S-5S-3' structure, but differ in the number, location and specificity of the tRNA genes. In the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, two of the five rrn operons of Lb. plantarum and three of the six of Lb. johnsonii contain tRNA-ala and tRNA-ile genes, while L. lactis has a tRNA-ala gene in all six operons. The number of tRNA genes following the 5S rRNA gene ranges up to 14, 16, and 21 for L. lactis, Lb. johnsonii and Lb. plantarum, respectively. The tRNA gene complements are similar to each other and to those of other bacteria. Micro-heterogeneity was found within the rRNA structural genes and spacer regions of each strain. In the rrn operon promoter regions of Lb. plantarum and L. lactis marked differences were found, while the promoter regions of Lb. johnsonii showed a similar tandem promoter structure in all operons. The rrn promoters of L. lactis show either a single or a tandem promoter structure. All promoters of Lb. plantarum contain two or three -10 and -35 regions, of which either zero to two were followed by an UP-element. The Lb. plantarum rrnA, rrnB, and rrnC promoter regions display similarity to the rrn promoter structure of Esherichia coli. Differences in regulation between the five Lb. plantarum promoters were studied using a low copy promoter-probe plasmid. Taking copy number and growth rate into account, a differential expression over time was shown. Although all five Lb. plantarum rrn promoters are significantly different, this study shows that their activity was very similar under the circumstances tested. An active promoter was also identified within the Lb. plantarum rrnC operon preceding a cluster of 17 tRNA genes.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis ofVibrio cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated before, during and after the O139 outbreak based on the intergenomic heterogeneity of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions

We have cloned, sequenced and analysed all the five classes of the intergenic (16S-23S rRNA) spacer region (ISR) associated with the eightrrn operons (rrna-rrnh) ofVibrio cholerae serogroup O1 El Tor strains isolated before, during and after the O139 outbreak. ISR classes ‘a’ and ‘g’ were found to be invariant, ISR-B (ISRb and ISRe) exhibited very little variation, whereas ISR-C (ISRc, ISRd, and ISRf) and ISRh showed the maximum variation. Phylogenetic analysis conducted with all three ISR classes (ISR-B, ISR-C and ISRh) showed that the pre-O139 serogroup and post-O139 serogroup O1 El Tor strains arose out of two independent clones, which was congruent with the observation made by earlier workers suggesting that analyses of ISR-C and ISR-h, instead of all five ISR classes, could be successfully used to study phylogeny in this organism.     

Structure, expression and products of the ribosomal RNA operons of Rhodopseudomonas palustris No. 7

Rhodopseudomonas palustris strains carry one or two ribosomal rRNA operons, and those with duplicated rrn operons grow faster. The two rrn operons in R. palustris No. 7 are virtually identical over a 54,70-bp stretch containing the genes for 16S rRNA, tRNAile, tRNAala, 23S rRNA and 5S rRNA, as well as the intergenic spacers and part of the extragenic spacer. In R. palustris, unlike most bacteria with multiple rrn operons, the putative promoter sequences of the two operons are highly diverged, suggesting possible functional differentiation. By simultaneous primer-extension analysis of both pre-rRNAs, we detected a two-fold higher level of expression from rrnA under photoautotrophic conditions. Alteration of the conditions of growth leads to changes in the relative levels of expression of the two operons. Within the 5,470-bp segment, only two sequence differences are found between the 23S rRNA genes; one is at the center of the 23S rRNA molecule and affects a site of unknown function, and the other is within or immediately adjacent to sequences involved in processing of the 5' 23S rRNA IVS. In vitro processing of 5' IVS-containing 23S rRNA precursors from each operon does not reveal any detectable difference between them. The 5' ends of the mature 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNAs were determined by primer-extension analysis, and the 3' end of 23S rRNA was determined by RNA linker ligation-mediated cDNA cloning. The 5' and 3' ends of the R. palustris 23S rRNA molecule are extensively processed, suggesting that, unlike the situation in the established eubacterial model, these ends cannot basepair.     

Lack of polymorphism within the rRNA operons of group A streptococci

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping of many bacterial species has shown that polymorphism of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) operons, within and between strains, is common. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the rRNA operons of thirty-two genetically and geographically distinct strains of group A streptococci (GAS) revealed that there are only two major HaeIII PCR-ribotypes. This variation is due to a single nucleotide change within the 16S–23S intergenic spacer regions of these operons. As in many other bacterial species, this spacer region in streptococci also contains the gene for tRNA^ala. Within each GAS isolate, hybridization results are consistent with the presence of six rRNA operons. Interestingly, for a given strain, irrespective of its origin, all six rRNA operons have the same RFLP pattern. This contrasts with the findings in many other bacterial species, where heterogeneity of the rRNA operons within a genome is a common feature. This lack of heterogeneity of rRNA operons in an organism that is known to acquire genetic sequences through horizontal transfer is intriguing. Received: 22 November 1996 / Accepted: 30 January 1997     

16S～23S RDNA间区在链球菌和流感嗜血杆菌分类中的应用

利用16S~23S rDNA间区（intergenic spacer regions,ISR）在不同细菌中拷贝数、碱基排列、序列长度及所含tRNA基因种类和数目的差异,对15株链球菌和流感嗜血杆菌进行属、种、型和株系的分类鉴定。在16S rDNA的3′端和23S rDNA的5′端的保守区中合成引物,PCR扩增16S~23S rDNA ISR序列,对多态片段切胶纯化直接测序。在GenBank上查找对应细菌的ISR序列。用DNAMAN软件进行系统进化分析。链球菌属为单拷贝16S~23Sr RNA ISR、有一个tRNAAla基因编码区、分子大小在269~446bp之间,序列分成4个保守区和4个可变区,可变区碱基排列方式和数目的不同是种分类的依据。7株链球菌的同源率在78%~88%。同种异株的差异反映在碱基的插入和缺失上。流感嗜血杆菌各生物型均为2个拷贝的ISR,小片段为514~519bp,编码1个tRNAGlu基因,有3个狭窄可变区。大片段富含A T碱基,在I、II和IV型中分别是868、848和856bp,编码一个tRNAIle基因和一个tRNAAla基因。不同生物型小分子ISR与标准菌株比较,同源性在97.3%~99.6 %之间。 ISR作为细菌分类的目的基因具有属、种、型和株特异性与灵敏性。简单的基因分离分析技术为认识病原微生物提供了更多的机会。 Abstract:To facilitate species level identification of bacteria without the requirement of presumptive identification,the paper describes a rapid identification method of bacteria by amplification and direct sequencing 16S~23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions (ISR) of the pathogens which cause the upper respiratory tract infective disease by Streptococcus and Haemophilus.Three pairs of primer targeting conserved sequences flanking the 3′ end of 16S and the 5′end of 23S rRNA were used to amplify 16S~23S rRNA ISR of 7 streptococcus strains and 8 Haemophilus strains.The PCR products were separated by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and the polymorphisms fragments were purified with the Wizard PCR Min-Prep Kit (Promega) and Protocol-SK131(Sangon).The nucleotide sequences of ISR inserts were determined by using the XEQTM DTCS Kit——Terminator Cycle Sequencing and a CEQTM 2000XL DNA Analysis system (Backman Coulter) automatic DAN sequencer.Then those sequences were compared with known seqnences on the GenBank.The alignment of nucleotide sequence,evolutionary distances and phylogenetic tress were analyzed by software DANMAN version 4.0.The PCR products were showed polymorphism patterns with agarose gel.One band was contained in streptococcus genus.The significant variation was found among the spacer sequences of different species in Streptococcus with the lengths of the spacer varying from 269 to 446bp.All the ISR of the streptococcal species had a tRNA Ala gene in the spacer and the sequence identities varied from 78 to 88% within genera.It was found that some spacer sequence blocks were highly conserved between operons of a genome,whereas the presence of others was variable,three regions showed significant spatial variation.Most of the differences between the sequences came from several bases insertions/deletions and substitutions.There are two major bands in the Haemophilus biotypes(515 and 884bp),the small ISR amplicon contained one tDNA coding for tRNAGlu.In contrast to the large one contained two tRNA genes coding for tRANAla and tRNAIle.Two regions of repeating motifs with only A or T were present in higher copy numbers between tRANAla and tRNAIle.The phylogenetic trees varied from 97.5 to 98.8%.The PCR and direct sequencing of 16S~23S rRAN ISR were successful in the pathogen species identification.     

Molecular cloning and comparative sequence analyses of rRNA operons in Streptomyces nodosus ATCC 14899.

The genome of Streptomyces nodosus contains six ribosomal RNA (rRNA) operons. Four of the rRNA operons; rrnB, rrnD, rrnE and rrnF were cloned. We have completely sequenced all four operons, including a region 750 base pairs (bp) upstream of the 16S rRNA gene. The three rRNA genes present in each operon were closely linked in the order 16S-23S-5S. A sequence comparison of the four operons showed more than 99% sequence similarity between the corresponding 16S and 23S rRNA genes, and more than 97% similarity between 5S rRNA genes. The sequence differences observed between 23S rRNA genes appeared to be localized in two specific regions. Substantial sequence differences were found in the region upstream of the 16S rRNA gene as well as in the internal transcribed spacers. No tRNA gene was found in the 16S-23S spacer regions.     

Structure and rearrangements of rRNA genes in chloroplast DNA in two strains of Euglena gracilis

Summary The organisation of the rRNA genes in the chloroplast genomes of two strains of Euglena gracilis were analyzed and compared. It was previously shown that the bacillaris strain contains three complete rrn (rRNA) operons (7) and that the Z-S strain contains one operon (21). Using heteroduplex analysis it was found that the bacillaris strain contains, apart from the three complete rrn operons, an extra 16S rRNA gene, an extra partial 23S rRNA gene sequence and an inverted duplication of a stretch within the 5S–16S spacer. In addition a short (<100 bp) inverted repeat sequence (13) which forms a stem/loop structure in single-stranded cpDNA was located between the 3-end of the extra 16S rRNA gene and the partial 23 S rRNA sequence.The Z-S strain differs from the bacillaris strain by a deletion of two units of the complete rrn operons. The region upstream of the single complete rrn operon, including the inverted repeats, the partial 23S and the extra 16S rRNA sequences is identical with the bacillaris strain.The only non-homology found in heteroduplexes between the SalI fragments of B of the two strains is the deletion-insertion loop which represents the two rrn operons. A small deletion loop was found occasionally in hetero-and in homoduplexes of both strands in the region of variable size. Apart from the deletion/insertion of two rrn operons the two genomes appear to be colinear as can be seen from partial denaturation mapping. The organisation of the rRNA genes of the two strains is compared with those of the Z strain and the bacillaris-ATCC strain.     

Variation of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions (ISRs) in Acinetobacter baylyi (strain B2) isolated from activated sludge

To determine the variability of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the newly described Acinetobacter baylyi, 88 clones containing ISR amplicons were screened and 14 chosen for further analysis. Two different sized 16S-23S rRNA ISRs were distinguished comprising five variable and four conserved nucleotide blocks. The major regions of heterogeneity between the different sized ISRs were due to blocks of substitutions with unique secondary structures interspersed with nucleotide substitutions, rather than differences caused by presence or absence of tRNA genes, which is often the case. Recombination events causing shuffling of nucleotide blocks are considered the most likely explanation for the mosaic structure observed between the different copies of the ISR. Single base differences present in the long ISR (LISR) were then exploited in attempts to detect possible heterogeneity between rrn copies in Acinetobacter baylyi but variability was not detected by RFLP analysis of LISR-specific PCR products. These primers were shown to be highly specific for 3 Acinetobacter baylyi strains based on LISR sequence homogeneity.