Comparison of ribotyping,randomly amplified polymorphic DNA,and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for molecular typing of Vibrio tapetis

Brown ring disease, caused by Vibrio tapetis, is an important pathological problem in different species of cultured clams. In order to evaluate the genetic diversity of the pathogen, twenty-seven isolates of V tapetis with different origin were screened by ribotyping (RT), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD). Restriction with PvuII, SalI, and SmaI gave 2 RT patterns, differentiating in all cases the strain 0202RD isolated from carpet-shell clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from the other strains tested. The use of NotI generated strain specific PFGE profiles, which could be grouped in two main clusters. Cluster 1 grouped all but one strain and was subdivided into six PFGE subtypes (1a to 1f) which joined at a similarity level of 75.6%. Cluster 2 included again only the isolate 0202RD. RAPD analysis yielded the same results with three different primers, this method being able to differentiate the isolates from R. decussatus from those isolated from other clam species. Of the three techniques evaluated, PFGE was the most discriminating of the three techniques evaluated, followed in discriminating power by RAPD and RT tests. On the basis of the results obtained, we conclude that the RAPD procedure, which is more rapid and easier to perform than the other techniques, shows to be very useful to analyze large amounts of strain collections from an epidemiological monitoring stanpoint. In addition, PFGE is of great utility to evaluate the genetic diversity of strains involved in an outbreak and to study the spreading of a specific clone.     

Strain identification of probiotic Lactobacillus casei-related isolates with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis methods

Typing of reference strains and isolates identified as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei or Lactobacillus rhamnosus was carried out using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses. Strains of L. paracasei were mainly grouped in the same cluster as those of L. casei. The RAPD fingerprints of strains ATCC 393 and ATCC 15820 differ from those of the L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei/casei strains further supporting classification of these strains as a separate group. The RAPD profiling could be used for classification and discrimination of isolates belonging to the L. casei group.     

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA versus pulsed field gel electrophoresis of SmaI DNA macrorestriction fragments for typing strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Genetic typing of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) can be performed using a variety of methods, but comparative analyses of the quality of these methods are still relatively scarce. We here compare random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA macrorestriction fragments as examples of two of the recent and well-accepted molecular typing methods. For the latter method, empirical guidelines for the interpretation of the DNA fingerprints have been proposed in the international literature. Based on our experimental analyses, we define similar criteria for RAPD fingerprinting. A collection of 100 strains of VRE, comprising Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus, was assembled. Fifty isolates were Dutch, another 50 were isolated in the UK. Strains were selected on the basis of previously determined putative identity, close relatedness or uniqueness. The strains were analysed using well-standardised RAPD and PFGE protocols. Resulting fingerprints were interpreted with computerised methods involving band positioning and we show that typing of VRE by PFGE and RAPD generates highly congruent DNA fingerprint clustering. When the proposed international criteria for interpretation of PFGE fingerprints were applied in our case, 86% PFGE homology as discriminating value between close relatedness and uniqueness, a 75% homology cut-off for the comparison of the RAPD-generated DNA fingerprints revealed essentially identical strain clusters. As a spin-off it is revealed that strains from the different species can be efficiently discriminated, that strains from the UK and The Netherlands form separate clusters and that strains from veterinary origin can be identified separately as well.     

Specific identification and molecular typing analysis of Lactobacillus johnsonii by using PCR-based methods and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

A fast and reliable Multiplex-PCR assay was established to identify the species Lactobacillus johnsonii. Two opposing rRNA gene-targeted primers have been designed for this specific PCR detection. Specificity was verified with DNA samples isolated from different lactic acid bacteria. Out of 47 Lactobacillus strains isolated from different environments, 16 were identified as L. johnsonii by PCR. The same set of strains was investigated with five alternative molecular typing methods: enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR), repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (REP-PCR), amplified fragment length polymorphism, single triplicate arbitrarily primed PCR, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in order to compare the discriminatory power of these methods. The reported data strongly support the highly significant heterogeneity among all L. johnsonii isolates, potentially linked to their origin of isolation. The use of species-specific primers as well as rapid and highly powerful PCR-based molecular typing tools (namely ERIC- and REP-PCR techniques) should be respectively envisaged for identifying, differentiating and monitoring L. johnsonii strains from various environmental samples, for product monitoring, for species tracing in clinical studies as well as bacterial profiling of various microecological or gastrointestinal environments.     

Differentiation of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis strains by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Genetic diversity of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis strains isolated from naturally fermented sourdoughs of different origin was evaluated by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Computer-assisted comparison of the RAPD patterns revealed a clear separation of L. sanfranciscensis from other obligately heterofermentative Lactobacillus species closely related or normally present in sourdough. Six clusters, five of them constituted by strains of the same origin, were recognized at a similarity level of 63%. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results on strains chosen as representative were generally in good agreement with the grouping obtained by RAPD. Both techniques showed a high degree of discriminatory power and indicated the existence of a remarkable genetic polymorphism within the species. Furthermore, the chromosome size of L. sanfranciscensis was estimated by PFGE to be about 1.4 Mb.     

Structure of amplified DNA, analyzed by pulsed field gradient gel electrophoresis

Pulsed field gradient electrophoresis allows the separation of large DNA molecules up to 2,000 kilobases (kb) in length and has the potential to close the resolution gap between standard electrophoresis of DNA molecules (smaller than 50 kb) and standard cytogenetics (larger than 2,000 kb). We have analysed the amplified DNA in four cell lines containing double minute chromosomes (DMs) and two lines containing homogeneously staining regions. The cells were immobilized in agarose blocks, lysed, deproteinized, and the liberated DNA was digested in situ with various restriction endonucleases. Following electrophoretic separation by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, the DNA in the gel was analysed by Southern blotting with appropriate probes for the amplified DNA. We find that the DNA in intact DMs is larger than 1,500 kb. Our results are also compatible with the notion that the DNA in DMs is circular, but this remains to be proven. The amplified segment of wild-type DNA covers more than 550 kb in all lines and possibly up to 2,500 kb in some. We confirm that the repeat unit is heterogeneous in some of the amplicons. In two cell lines, however, with low degrees of gene amplification, we find no evidence for heterogeneity of the repeats up to 750 (Y1-DM) and 800 kb (3T6-R50), respectively. We propose that amplicons start out long and homogeneous and that the heterogeneity in the repeat arises through truncation during further amplification events in which cells with shorter repeats have a selective advantage. Even if the repeats are heterogeneous, however, pulsed field gradient gels can be useful to establish linkage of genes over relatively short chromosomal distances (up to 1,000 kb). We discuss some of the promises and pitfalls of pulsed field gel electrophoresis in the analysis of amplified DNA.     

鸡随机扩增多态性DNA最优化体系探讨

以鸡基因组DNA为模板,对RAPD反应程序中一些重要参数进行摸索和优化实验,建立了随机扩增多态性DNA分析反应体系。即反应体积为25μl,Mg^2 浓度为3．0mM,dNTP浓度为0．1mM,模板DNA最为100mg,随机引物浓度为0．3μmol,Tap酶2．0单位;反应循环过程为92℃变性30s,36℃复性40s,72℃延伸1min,共40个循环。该体系可有效地应用于鸡遗传育种研究中,重复性好。     

Comparison of ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA for typing Clostridium difficile strains

Abstract Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive sporulating anaerobic bacillus which causes pseudomembranous colitis. Nosocomial acquisition of this bacteria has proved frequent, and epidemiological markers are needed to recognize and control common-source outbreaks. We therefore compared the results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after restriction with Sma I or Nru I, random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using 3 10-mer oligonucleotides, and ribotyping to differentiate between 30 unrelated strains of C. difficile belonging to 8 serotypes. The strains were separated into 26 different types by PFGE, 25 by RAPD, but into only 18 types by ribotyping. Median percentages of similarity between strains ranged from 27 in the PFGE assay to 90 in the ribotyping assay, but there was good agreement between the 3 methods for the clustering of strains. PFGE was more time-consuming than RAPD but its patterns were easier to analyze.     

Strain typing of Lentinula edodes by random amplified polymorphic DNA assay

Abstract Single 10-base primers were used to generate randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes . Seven primers produced polymorphisms in all 15 strains tested, producing 12–19 bands ranging from 0.34 to 2.52 kb. Thirteen of the 15 strains had unique DNA fingerprints, whereas L. edodes ATCC 28759 and ATCC 28760 exhibited identical RAPD profiles for all the primers. Molecular-genetic markers obtained with the RAPD assay can be used to differentiate strains of L. edodes and have potential applications in mushroom breeding and strain improvement programs.     

小麦随机扩增多态性DNA的反应体系探索

随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)是近年来发展起来的一种DNA多态性检测技术。通过以小麦基因组DNA为模板 ,对RAPD反应程序中的一些重要参数进行摸索和优化试验 ,建立了随机扩增多态性DNA分析应用反应体系。即反应体积为 2 5μ1,Mg2 浓度为 2 0mM ,dNTP浓度为 150 μM ,模板DNA量 5ng～2 5ng ,随机引物量 30ng～ 4 5ng ,Tap酶 1单位 ;反应过程为 90℃变性 30s ,38℃结合 1min ,72℃延伸 2min(最后一个循环 10min) ,共 4 0个循环。该体系可有效地应用在小麦遗传育种研究中 ,重复性好 ,可靠性高。     

2016‒2017年辽宁省沙门菌耐药菌谱与分子分型

目的 分析2016‒2017年辽宁省沙门菌分离株的耐药特性与脉冲场凝胶电泳（PFGE）分子分型特征,为沙门菌引起的食源性疾病暴发、防控及抗生素使用提供参考数据。方法 对分离的54株沙门菌进行血清分型和药物敏感试验。根据PulseNet沙门菌标准PFGE分型技术,选取全部菌株进行PFGE分子分型分析,应用BioNumerics软件对菌株条带进行分析,确定菌株间的特征及相关性。结果 54株沙门菌血清型居首位的是肠炎沙门菌,占46.30％;其次是鼠伤寒沙门菌,占24.07％;共分为10个血清型。对13种抗生素的耐药分析显示多重耐药菌株为36株,占66.7％,其中耐3～5种的13株（24.1%）,耐6～8种的13株（24.1%）,耐9～11种的10株（18.5%）。54株沙门菌经聚类分析获得36种带型,相似度区间为49.7%～100.0％。结论 辽宁省沙门菌分离株多重耐药状况比较严重,相同血清型其PFGE带型相似度相对较高,同时具有较显著的优势带型特点;而且发现同一PFGE型菌株的耐药谱相对比较接近。     

Technical improvement to prevent DNA degradation of Leptospira spp. in pulsed field gel electrophoresis

Leptospirosis is a public health problem. Infection with pathogenic Leptospira occurs by exposure to many environments and is traditionally associated with occupational risk activities. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the epidemiological relatedness among Leptospira isolates. However, analysis by PFGE yielded inconclusive data as a result of extensive DNA degradation. This degradation can be significantly reduced by the inclusion of thiourea in the electrophoresis buffer, improving the analysis of DNA banding patterns.     

Polyphasic study of the genetic diversity of lactobacilli associated with 'Almagro' eggplants spontaneous fermentation, based on combined numerical analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns

AIMS: The goal of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the complex natural ecosystem present in the spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants by a polyphasic approach based on molecular techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were applied to 149 Lactobacillus isolates obtained from that fermentation process. Two random primers, OPL-05 and ArgDei-For, and two rare-cutting enzymes, SfiI and SmaI, chosen after preliminary testing on the basis of band intensity and distribution, were used. RAPD and PFGE generated electrophoretic patterns suitable for strain discrimination, but further discrimination was achieved when combined numerical analysis of the results from both methods and the results previously obtained by SDS-PAGE whole cell protein analysis, was carried out. The findings indicated a considerable degree of genomic diversity in the LAB microbiota studied and especially in the Lactobacillus plantarum isolates. In terms of species assignment, the polyphasic study allowed a definite and well-founded identification of 98.7% of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The combined numerical analysis of RAPD and PFGE patterns represented a useful tool to discriminate the diversity of the Lactobacillus strains responsible for the spontaneous fermentation of this pickle. The species identification and strain typing results from the polyphasic study were regarded as the most exact compromise yielding the fewest contradictions based on the available data. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Combined numerical analysis of RAPD-PCR and PFGE patterns has not yet been employed to study the genetic diversity of LAB from an ecosystem like that found in fermenting vegetables.     

Genomic diversity within the genus Pediococcus as revealed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

The genomic diversity of 33 previously assigned strains from six species within the genus Pediococcus was assessed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR and pulsed-field-gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The RAPD PCR patterns produced by two separate random primers, termed P1 (ACGCGCCCT) and P2 (ATGTAACGCC), were compared by the Pearson correlation coefficient and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages clustering algorithm. Pattern variations between repeat samples set a strain discrimination threshold of less than 70% similarity. P1 and P2 primers alone and in combination produced 14, 21, and 28 distinct patterns, respectively. When each strain was assigned with a type strain with which it shared the highest level of similarity, both primers grouped 17 of the 27 strains to their proposed species. PFGE following genomic digestion with the restriction enzymes ApaI, NotI, and AscI produced 30, 32, and 28 distinct macrorestriction patterns, respectively. Specific DNA fragments within the NotI and AscI macrorestriction patterns for each strain were observed that allowed 27 of the 33 strains to be assigned to their proposed species. For example, following digestion with AscI, all Pediococcus parvulus strains were characterized by two DNA fragments, one of approximately 220 kb and another between 700 and 800 kb. The exceptions correlated with those observed with both RAPD PCR primers and included three P. damnosus and two P. pentosaceus strains that grew at temperatures regarded as nonpermissive for their proposed species but not for those with which they grouped.     

Molecular typing of clinical Candida strains using random amplified polymorphic DNA and contour‐clamped homogenous electric fields electrophoresis

Aims: This report describes an investigation into the genetic profiles of 38 Candida albicans and 19 Candida glabrata strains collected from a dental hospital of Monastir (Tunisia) and the Laboratory of Parasitology, Farhat Hached Hospital of Sousse (Tunisia), using two typing methods: random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and contour‐clamped homogenous electric fields (CHEF). Methods and Results: The two methods (RAPD and CHEF electrophoresis) were able to identify clonal‐related isolates from different patients. RAPD method using two primers (CA1 and CA2) exhibited the highest discriminatory power by discriminating 22 genotypes for C. albicans with CA1 oligonucleotides and 19 genotypes with CA2 primer. For C. glabrata, 17 genotypes were obtained when both primers CA1 and CA2 were combined. The CHEF karyotyping of C. albicans has discriminated only 17 different karyotypes. Conclusion: The genotype of each isolate and genotypic difference among C. albicans and C. glabrata isolates were patient specific and not associated with the site of infection, geographic origin or date of isolation. Significance and Impact of the Study: Identification of relatedness between Candida species using molecular approaches with high discriminatory power is important in determining adequate measures for interruption of transmission of this yeast.     

Population differentiation in randomly amplified polymorphic DNA of red-cockaded woodpeckers Picoides borealis

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) phenotypes generated by 13 primers were scored for 101 individuals in 14 populations of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis. Although no population-specific markers were found, the frequencies of several markers differed significantly among populations. Application of the recently developedamova method (analysis of molecular variance; Excoffier, Smouse & Quattro 1992) showed that more than 90% of phenotypic variance occurred among individuals within populations; of the remaining variance, half was attributed among groups of geographically adjacent populations and half among populations within those groups. The statistical significance of these patterns was supported by Monte Carlo sampling simulations and permutation tests. Estimation of allele frequencies from phenotypes provided somewhat weaker evidence for population structure, although among-population variance in allele frequencies was detectable (F_st= 0.19; x²₁₆₉= 509.3, P < 0.0001). Upgma cluster analyses based on Rogers' (1972) genetic distance revealed grouping of some geographically proximate populations. A Mantel test indicated a positive (r = 0.16), although not significant, correlation between geographic and genetic distances. We compared a subset of our RAPD data with data from a previous study that used allozymes (Stangel, Lennartz & Smith 1992). RAPD (n= 75) and allozyme (n= 245) results based on samples from the same ten populations showed similar patterns. Our study indicates that RAPDs can be helpful in differentiating populations at the phenotypic level even when small sample sizes, estimation bias, and inability to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium complicate the genotypic interpretation. Lack of large differences among populations of red-cockaded woodpeckers may allow flexibility in overpopulation translocations, provided factors such as habitat preference, latitudinal direction of translocation, and status of donor populations are considered.     

A genetic linkage map of papaya based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers

A genetic linkage map of papaya (Carica papaya L.) was constructed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and a F₂ population derived from a University of Hawaii UH breeding line 356 x Sunrise cross. A total of 596 10-mer primers were screened, and 96 polymorphisms were detected. At LOD 4.0, 62 of these markers mapped to 11 linkage groups comprising 999.3 cM. About 80% of the markers conformed to expected Mendelian segregation ratios. We have mapped the locus that determines sex to a 14-cM region flanked by RAPD markers. The results demonstrate the usefulness of RAPD markers for developing a basic genetic linkage map in papaya.Journal series No. 4146 of the Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources     

Molecular typing of Pasteurella pneumotropica isolated from rodents by amplified 16S ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

A total of 52 isolates of Pasteurella pneumotropica obtained from rodents were examined for their genetic heterogeneity. On the basis of DNA restriction analysis, including amplified 16S ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), differences were identified among the isolates. ARDRA typing with Hae III revealed 4 different banding patterns of the P. pneumotropica isolates. Eighty-two percent of the 23 isolates identified as a-1 were derived from mice, whereas all the isolates identified as a-3 were derived from rats. Most of the isolates, which showed hemolytic activity on blood agar, obtained from mice and rats, were identified as a-2 and a-4, respectively. By restriction analysis of genomic DNA, Apa I and Not I digestion differentiated 9 variants and an undiscriminating group. However, no close relation with regard to the phenotypic characteristics was observed among the variants. The isolates identified as a-2 and a-4 could not be distinguished by PFGE analysis. DNA restriction analysis revealed that the genetic diversity of the P. pneumotropica isolates was more complex than the phenotypic characteristics among the species, and that at least the P. pneumotropica isolates were clearly differentiated into 4 groups by ARDRA typing with Hae III.     

Localization of glucoamylase genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pulsed field gel electrophoresis

The chromosomal locations of four glucoamylase-specifying genes in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae have been determined. Chromosomes were separated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and blots were probed with radiolabelledSTA2 and marker DNA from specific yeast chromosomes. The three genes encoding extracellular glucoamylases,STA1 (DEX2), STA2 (DEX1) andSTA3 (DEX3) are located on chromosomes IV, II and XIV, respectively.SGA, specifying the sporulation-specific glucoamylase, was positioned on chromosome IX.     

Genetic diversity in tilapia populations in a freshwater reservoir assayed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Genetic variation in fish stocks decreasing due to water pollution in the freshwater rivers, streams and canals. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity and polymorphism in Oreochromis niloticus collected from the Wadi Hanefah Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by using RAPD-PCR. Total thirty fish specimens were harvested from each of four pre-determined locations of the reservoir which were designated as H1, H2, H3, and H4. Five random decamer primers were used to assess the diversity in the stock of O. niloticus. In this fish stock 48 bands were polymorphic and 12 were monomorphic. The maximum polymorphism (100%) was recorded in the fish samples procured from H4, followed by 88.75, 87.33 and 76.12% of the tilapia collected from H3, H2, and H4, respectively. Nei’s genetic distance value was ranged as 0.0005 to 0.1006. Maximum and minimum genetic distance was recorded as 0.1006 and 0.005 in tilapia harvested from H1 and H2 locations. Average heterozygosity was ranged from 0.3009 to 0.3744. This information about the genetic polymorphism of O. niloticus may be used by the concerned authorities to evolve strategies to conserve the diversity of tilapia in the country.