Identification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using species-specific 16S rDNA primers

The purpose of this study was to develop species-specific PCR primers for use in the identification and detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. These primers target variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA coding gene (rDNA). We assessed the specificity of the primers against 9 A. actinomycetemcomitans strains and 11 strains (3 species) of the Haemophilus genus. Primer sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of the purified genomic DNAs of A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 33384T. Our obtained data revealed that we had obtained species-specific amplicons for all of the tested A. actinomycetemcomitans strains, and that none of these amplicons occurred in any of the other species. Our PCR protocol proved able to detect as little as 4 fg of A. actinomycetemcomitans chromosomal DNA. Our findings suggest that these PCR primers are incredibly sensitive, and should prove suitable for application in epidemiological studies, as well as the diagnosis and monitoring of periodontal pathogens after treatment for periodontitis.     

基于16S rDNA序列的Wolbachia的检测及分型

Wolbachia是广泛分布于节肢动物体内的一类共生细菌。采用16S rDNA特异片段的PCR-RFLP方法对烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius）不同生物型及米蛾Corcyra cephalonica （Stainton）共生菌Wolbachia进行了检测与分型分析。基于wsp基因对烟粉虱共生菌B组Wolbachia以及米蛾共生菌Wolbachia进行了系统树分析,并对相应的Wolbachia16S rDNA特异片段进行了克隆、测序以及序列比对。结果表明:16S rDNA的特异片段经NheⅠ酶切后RFLP图谱可有效检测与鉴别Wolbachia。烟粉虱共生菌Wolbachia的16S rDNA特异片段经VspⅠ酶切后可得到预期RFLP图谱,而米蛾共生菌B组Wolbachia （基于wsp序列分析为B组）则产生不同的RFLP图谱。序列分析表明,Nauru型烟粉虱体内B组Wolbachia的16S rDNA片段序列与已知B组Wolbachia对应序列（DQ278884）同源性为100%;米蛾体内B组Wolbachia 16S rDNA特异片段有碱基变异,并存在于VspⅠ识别位点内,这是导致VspⅠ酶切后RFLP图谱不同的原因。结果提示,B组Wolbachia 16S rDNA特异片段经VspⅠ酶切的RFLP图谱存在多态性。本研究结果可为今后Wolbachia的检测与分型提供借鉴。     

The phylogeny of the genus Yersinia based on 16S rDNA sequences

Abstract The unique antibacterial properties of Fe-protoporphyrin (haemin) on Staphylococcus aureus , compared to Co-protoprophyrin (Co-PP), Mg-protoporphyrin (Mg-PP) and Zn-protoporphyrin (Zn-PP) are described. Only haemin (20 μM) exhibits a strong light-independent antibacterial effect on S. aureus ; the other metalloporphyrins, Co-PP, Mg-PP or Zn-PP, have no antibacterial effect in the dark. Only light photosensitization of Mg-PP-treated cells resulted in the inhibition of the bacterial growth, while Co-PP or Zn-PP were photodynamically inactive. A notable effect of haemin on inactivation of S. aureus was the induction of immediate ion fluxes as determined by X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) of fast-frozen cells. A marked efflux of K (96%) and Cl (94%) was expressed immediately as determined by X-ray microanalysis of S. aureus cells treated with haemin for 5 min. Only 48% loss of Na was detected in the cells under these treatment conditions, while P content was increased by 150%. Electron microscopy analysis revealed the appearance of a mesosome-like structure connected to the new septa, filmentous chromosome and arrays of aggregated ribosomes in the cytoplasm. We propose that haemin has multiple cellular targets for its oxidative effect in S. aureus .     

Diversity of streptomycetes in water-damaged building materials based on 16S rDNA sequences

AIMS: The diversity of streptomycetes in two different types of water-damaged building materials was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct PCR amplification of 16S rDNA from DNA isolated from building materials, cloning of the fragments and sequence analysis were used. In the phylogenetic analysis of the variable gamma region of the PCR amplification products, the sequences affiliated with five groups. CONCLUSIONS: Several different sequences were found in both materials, suggesting the presence of several species. Also, previously unknown sequences were detected, although all the sequences clustered together with sequences of known species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Streptomycetes are known as indicators for moisture and mould damage in buildings and potential health risk, but their diversity in indoor environments is still unknown.     

Phyto‐specific 16S rDNA PCR primers for recovering algal and plant sequences from mixed samples

Molecular environmental sampling of the phototrophic complexity in a given environment may be important in a number of research disciplines. Because of the broad evolutionary diversity of photosynthetic organisms, however, primers that can recover sequences from all phototrophs also target other organisms, often preferentially. Therefore, PCR primers that selectively amplify genes of phototrophs over those of other prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms could prove extremely useful. Here we report two such primers that target 16S rDNA from Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic plastids, but do not amplify genes from abundant Bacteria in a mixed sample.     

Quantitative PCR with 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers for analysis of human intestinal bifidobacteria

A highly sensitive quantitative PCR detection method has been developed and applied to the distribution analysis of human intestinal bifidobacteria by combining real-time PCR with Bifidobacterium genus- and species-specific primers. Real-time PCR detection of serially diluted DNA extracted from cultured bifidobacteria was linear for cell counts ranging from 10(6) to 10 cells per PCR assay. It was also found that the method was applicable to the detection of Bifidobacterium in feces when it was present at concentrations of >10(6) cells per g of feces. Concerning the distribution of Bifidobacterium species in intestinal flora, the Bifidobacterium adolescentis group, the Bifidobacterium catenulatum group, and Bifidobacterium longum were found to be the three predominant species by examination of DNA extracted from the feces of 46 healthy adults. We also examined changes in the population and composition of Bifidobacterium species in human intestinal flora of six healthy adults over an 8-month period. The results showed that the composition of bifidobacterial flora was basically stable throughout the test period.     

Total bacterial and species-specific 16S rDNA micro-array quantification of complex samples

AIMS: We describe a novel DNA-micro-array-based method that targets 16S rDNA to quantify changes in both the total bacterial DNA and the species-specific DNA composition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Quantifications were achieved by combining competitive PCR for quantifying total bacterial DNA with quantification of species-specific DNA composition based on signature 16S rDNA sequences. We constructed 11 different probes, which were evaluated on 21 different strains, in addition to complex samples. The signals obtained with sequence-specific labelling of the probes corresponded well with what should be expected based on 16S rDNA phylogenetic reconstruction. The quantification of species-specific DNA composition showed that the micro-array approach could be used to accurately determine differential growth of bacteria in mixed samples. We analysed samples containing mixtures of Lactococcus lactis and different species of propionibacteria during a 2-week incubation period. Lactococcus lactis grew fast, reaching a maximum after 12 h, Propionibacterium acidipropionici and Propionibacterium freudenreichii reached a maximum after 48 h, whereas Propionibacterium jensenii showed a slow increase during the whole growth period. The 16S rDNA total bacterial DNA quantification was compared with real-time PCR, absorbance measurements (ABS600) and colony forming units (CFU). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the array approach was in the same range or better than the alternative techniques. The potential of the 16S rDNA micro-array method was further demonstrated using a liquid cheese model. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is to our knowledge the first time quantification of the total bacterial DNA and the species-specific DNA compositions of mixed populations have been achieved in the same assay.     

Identification of bacteria using two degenerate 16S rDNA sequencing primers.

Two degenerate 16S rDNA primers have been designed for broad-range identification of eubacteria by PCR and automated sequencing. Using a simple method, the primers have proven useful in identification of proteobacteria (Campylobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Helicobacter, Klebsiella), gram-positive bacteria (Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus) and spirochetes (Borrelia) derived from clinical samples. In several cases, the samples could be identified at the species level.     

应用16S rDNA序列探讨斑腿蝗科的单系性及其亚科的分类地位

本文测定了斑腿蝗科10亚科20种蝗虫和其他蝗科3种蝗虫的线粒体16S rDNA部分序列,并从GenBank中下载了15种蝗亚目昆虫的16S rRNA基因相应序列片段。比对后的序列长度是397 bp,其中有196个变异位点,157个简约信息位点,A+T平均含量为71.7%,C+G平均含量为28.3%。以序列差异比值为横坐标,以碱基转换数和颠换数为纵坐标作散点图,结果表明颠换多于转换,且随着差异程度的增加,转换明显出现了饱和。以蚱总科的日本蚱Tetrix japonica和卡尖顶蚱Teredorus carmichaeli作外群,用ME、等权MP、加权MP及贝叶斯法重建系统发生树。分子系统树表明,斑腿蝗科并非是一单系群,该科的切翅蝗亚科与稻蝗亚科也均不是一单系群;卵翅蝗、伪稻蝗和稻蝗三者有很近的亲缘关系;支持将黑蝗亚科和秃蝗亚科合为一个亚科——秃蝗亚科;现行的稻蝗亚科并非一单系群,而是一多系群。分子系统学研究结果和传统的基于形态特征的斑腿蝗科的分类体系有很大的不同。     

Phylogenetic analysis of southern hemisphere flat oysters based on partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene sequences

Oysters are among the most familiar, best studied, and morphologically variable of all marine invertebrate taxa. However, our knowledge of oyster phylogeny and systematics is rudimentary, especially for the subfamily Ostreinae (flat oysters). It is unclear, for instance, whether the predominant flat oysters occurring between latitudes 35 and 50 degrees S constitute a single circumglobal species, or multiple, phylogenetically distinct, regional taxa. We have performed the first DNA molecular phylogenetic analysis of ostreinid taxa to distinguish among competing phylogenetic and systematic hypotheses for Southern Hemisphere Ostreinae. An approximately 450-nucleotide fragment of the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit (16S) was sequenced for 41 individual oysters, representing 14 taxa of brooding oysters: 5 Southern Hemisphere Ostreinae, 5 Northern Hemisphere Ostreinae, and 4 outgroup species of the subfamily Lophinae. Phylogenetic analyses of the resulting data set yielded consensus tree topologies that are comprehensively incongruent with prevailing morphologically based interpretations of systematic relationships among the Ostreinae. Three ostreinid mitochondrial clades were evident, each containing representatives of Southern Hemisphere regional ostreinid taxa, some of which robustly cocluster with Northern Hemisphere taxa. These three clades represent the first well-supported phylogenetic framework for this ecologically prominent and commercially important oyster subfamily.     

Group-specific PCR primers for the phylum Acidobacteria designed based on the comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences

We performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the phylum Acidobacteria and developed novel, group-specific PCR primers for Acidobacteria and its class-level subgroups. Acidobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences deposited in the RDP database were used to construct a local database then subsequently analyzed. A total of 556 phylotypes were observed and the majority of the phylotypes belonged to five major subgroups (subgroups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6), which comprised > 80% of the acidobacterial sequences in the RDP database. Phylum-specific and subgroup-specific primers were designed from the consensus sequences of the phylotype sequences, and the specificities of the designed primers were evaluated both in silico and empirically for coverage and tolerance. The phylum-specific primer ACIDO, which was designed in this study, showed increased coverage for Acidobacteria, as compared to the previous phylum-specific primer 31F. However, the tolerance of the primer ACIDO for non-target sequences was slightly higher than that of the primer 31F. We also developed subgroup-specific PCR primers for the major subgroups of Acidobacteria, except for subgroup 4. Subgroup-specific primers S1, S2, and S3, which targeted subgroups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, showed high coverage for their target subgroups and low tolerance for non-target sequences. However, the primer S6 targeting subgroup 6 showed a lower specificity in its empirical evaluation than expected from the in silico results. The subgroup-specific primers, as well as the phylum-specific primer designed in this study, will be valuable tools in understanding the phylogenetic diversity and ecological niche of the phylum Acidobacteria and its subgroups.     

PCR amplification of species specific sequences of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region for identification of Streptococcus phocae

Streptococcus phocae, a bacterial pathogen of seals, could reliably be identified by PCR amplification using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species specific segments of the previously sequenced 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of this species. The PCR mediated assay allowed an identification of S. phocae isolated from harbor and gray seals and from Atlantic salmons. No cross-reaction could be observed with 13 different other streptococcal species and subspecies and with Lactococcus garvieae strains investigated for control purposes.     

Signature region within the 16S rDNA sequences of Aeromonas popoffii

To identify a group of eight Aeromonas strains of our collection showing ribotyping patterns similar to those described for the species Aeromonas popoffii, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed. Results were in agreement with the DNA binding values, and allowed the identification of a 'signature region' differentiating the A. popoffii strains from all other members of the genus Aeromonas.     

Phenotypic characterization of Astragalus glycyphyllos symbionts and their phylogeny based on the 16S rDNA sequences and RFLP of 16S rRNA gene

In this study, the nitrogen fixing Astragalus glycyphyllos symbionts were characterized by phenotypic properties, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequences of 16S rDNA. The generation time of A. glycyphyllos rhizobia in yeast extract mannitol medium was in the range 4–6 h. The studied isolates exhibited a low resistance to antibiotics, a moderate tolerance to NaCl, assimilated di- and trisaccharides, and produced acid in medium containing mannitol as a sole carbon source. In the cluster analysis, based on 86 phenotypic properties of A. glycyphyllos symbionts and the reference rhizobia, examined isolates and the genus Mesorhizobium strains were placed on a single branch, clearly distinct from other lineages of rhizobial genera. By the comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and 16S rDNA–RFLP, A. glycyphyllos nodulators were also identified as the members of the genus Mesorhizobium. On the 16S rDNA sequence phylogram, the representatives of A. glycyphyllos nodule isolates formed a robust, monophyletic cluster together with the Mesorhizobium species at 16S rDNA sequence similarity of these bacteria between 95 and 99 %. Similarly, the cluster analysis of the combined RFLP–16S rDNA patterns, obtained with seven restriction endonucleases, showed that A. glycyphyllos rhizobia are closely related to the genus Mesorhizobium bacteria. The taxonomic approaches used in this paper allowed us to classify the studied bacteria into the genus Mesorhizobium.     

Selection of primers for optimal taxonomic classification of environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences

Microbial community profiling using 16S rRNA gene sequences requires accurate taxonomy assignments. ‘Universal'' primers target conserved sequences and amplify sequences from many taxa, but they provide variable coverage of different environments, and regions of the rRNA gene differ in taxonomic informativeness—especially when high-throughput short-read sequencing technologies (for example, 454 and Illumina) are used. We introduce a new evaluation procedure that provides an improved measure of expected taxonomic precision when classifying environmental sequence reads from a given primer. Applying this measure to thousands of combinations of primers and read lengths, simulating single-ended and paired-end sequencing, reveals that these choices greatly affect taxonomic informativeness. The most informative sequence region may differ by environment, partly due to variable coverage of different environments in reference databases. Using our Rtax method of classifying paired-end reads, we found that paired-end sequencing provides substantial benefit in some environments including human gut, but not in others. Optimal primer choice for short reads totaling 96 nt provides 82–100% of the confident genus classifications available from longer reads.     

基于16S rDNA部分序列探讨中国近海30种石斑鱼类的分子系统进化关系

石斑鱼因其种类繁多、分布广泛及缺乏显著的形体特征,使其系统分类的研究颇为困难。为探讨中国近海石斑鱼类的系统进化关系,通过PCR扩增获得了石斑鱼亚科(Epinephelinae)6属30个种类的线粒体16SrDNA基因片段序列。采用多个生物软件对序列变异和碱基组成进行分析,计算了Kimura2parameter遗传距离、转换/颠换比等遗传信息指数,并结合GenBank石斑鱼属的同源序列,以多纹长尾(Pronotogrammusmultifasciatus)和皮氏叫姑鱼(Johniusbelengerii)为外群构建NJ、MP和ML系统树。根据所得分子依据并结合形态学特征,推论如下:1)在本研究的30种石斑鱼中,鳃棘鲈属(Plectropomus)最先分化,并呈明显单系性;九棘鲈属(Cephalopholis)是一个单系群,并且较石斑鱼属(Epinephelus)原始;侧牙鲈属(Variola)的进化地位介于鳃棘鲈属与九棘鲈属之间;2)宽额鲈(Promicropslanceolatus)可以归入石斑鱼属,而驼背鲈(Cromileptesaltivelis)也与石斑鱼属有很近的亲缘关系,甚至可能是石斑鱼属内的特化类群;3)石斑鱼属内部存在两个平行进化的姐妹分支,分支内部的种类组成与地理分布无关,暗示了石斑鱼属早期的分化模式。     

Specific detection of an oil-degrading bacterium, Corynebacterium sp. IC10, in sand microcosms by PCR using species-specific primers based on 16S rRNA gene sequences

A species-specific PCR technique to detect an oil-degrading bacterium, Corynebacterium sp. IC10, released into sand microcosms is described. PCR primers, specific to strain IC10, were designed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and tested against both closely and distantly related bacterial strains using four primer combinations involving two forward and two reverse primers. Two sets of them were specific to the strain IC10 and Corynebacterium variabilis and one set was selected for further analysis. The PCR amplification was able to detect 1 pg template DNA of strain IC10 and 1.2×10⁴ c.f.u. of IC10 ml wet sand^–1 in the presence of 3×10⁸ Escherichia coli cells. In non-sterile sand microcosms seeded with the strain IC10, the sensitivity of detection decreased to 9.6×10⁵ c.f.u. ml wet sand^–1. The detection sensitivity thus depends on the complexity of background heterogeneous DNA of environmental samples. The assay is suitable for detection of Corynebacterium sp. IC10 in laboratory microcosms, however, cross reaction with non-oil degrading coryneforms may prohibit its use in uncharacterized systems.     

16S rDNA directed PCR primers and detection of methanogens in the bovine rumen

AIMS: To assess the diversity of ruminal methanogens in a grazing cow, and develop PCR primers targeting the predominant methanogens. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA was extracted from rumen contents collected from a cow grazing pasture. Archaeal 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR using two pairs of archaea-specific primers, and clone libraries prepared. Selected clones were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that for one primer pair, most sequences clustered with Methanobrevibacter spp. whereas with the other primer pair most clustered with Methanosphaera stadtmanae. One sequence belonged to the Crenarcheota. PCR primers were designed to detect Msp. stadtmanae and differentiate between Mbb. ruminantium and Mbb. smithii and successfully tested. CONCLUSIONS: The ruminal methanogens included Mbb. ruminantium, Mbb. smithii, Mbb. thaueri and methanogens similar to Msp.stadtmanae. The study showed that apparent methanogen diversity can be affected by selectivity from the archaea-specific primers used to create clone libraries. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study revealed a greater diversity of ruminal methanogens in grazing cows than previously recognized. It also shows the need for care in interpreting methanogen diversity using PCR-based analyses. The new PCR primers will enable more information to be obtained on Msp. stadtmanae and Methanobrevibacter spp. in the rumen.     

Development and evaluation of specific 16S rDNA primers for marine Cytophaga–Flavobacteria cluster

Through multiple alignment analysis of 16S rDNA sequences from all known genera of Cytophaga–Flavobacteria (CF) cluster, a new primer pair specifically targeting this cluster was developed, greatly facilitating their diversity and function's exploration in marine ecosystems. Compared with previously reported primers, the new primer pair could theoretically retrieve broader CF diversity without decreasing specificity. The effectiveness for field samples was further evaluated by testing the community DNA samples from various marine environments using the optimal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions established in this work. The results showed its robustness and high specificity for amplifying CF cluster's 16S rDNA fragments from complex marine environments.