Identification of Comamonas species using 16S rRNA gene sequence

A bacterial strain Bz02 was isolated from a water sample collected from river Gomti at the Indian city of Lucknow. We characterized the strain using 16S rRNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain formed a monophyletic clade with members of the genus Comamonas. The closest phylogenetic relative was Comamonas testosteroni with 95% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. It is proposed that the identified strain Bz02 be assigned as the type strain of a species of the genus Comamonas (Comamonas sp Bz02) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence search in Ribosomal Database Project, small subunit rRNA and large subunit rRNA databases together with the phylogenetic tree analysis. The sequence is deposted in GenBank with the accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"FJ211417","term_id":"209164434"}}FJ211417.     

16S rRNA gene sequence analyses and inter- and intrageneric relationships of Xanthomonas species and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

The nearly complete, PCR-amplified, 16S rRNA gene sequences have been determined from the representative type strains of eight xanthomonad phena, including six validly described species of the genus Xanthomonas and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Pairwise sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the xanthomonads comprise a monophyletic lineage within the γ-subclass of the Proteobacteria. Although the genus Xanthomonas was observed to comprise a cluster of very closely related species, the observed species-specific primary sequence differences were confirmed through sequencing additional strains belonging to the respective species.     

Intrageneric structure of the genus Gluconobacter analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer sequences

Forty-nine strains belonging to the genus Gluconobacter were re-examined with respect to their species identification based on the sequences of the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS). A phylogenetic tree constructed from the 16S rDNA sequences indicated the presence of five clusters corresponding, respectively, to the major five species of the genus Gluconobacter, namely G. albidus, G. cerinus, G. frateurii, G. oxydans (type species), and G. thailandicus. The type strain of G. asaii, NBRC 3276T (T=type strain) was included in the G. cerinus cluster, which is consistent with the report that G. asaii is a junior subjective synonym of G. cerinus. Existence of the G. albidus, G. cerinus, G. frateurii, G. oxydans, and G. thailandicus clusters was also recognized by the ITS sequence analysis. Both sequence analyses revealed that the G. cerinus and G. frateurii clusters were heterogeneous. The G. cerinus cluster comprised three strains of G. cerinus and one strain of G. frateurii, while the G. frateurii cluster included ten strains of G. frateurii, three of G. cerinus, and eleven of G. oxydans. These results suggest that phenotypic differences among Gluconobacter species are ambiguous and the species definition must be re-evaluated. The 16S rDNA and ITS sequences determined in this study are valuable for the identification and phylogenetic analysis of Gluconobacter species.     

Phylogenetic clustering of soil microbial communities by 16S rRNA but not 16S rRNA genes

We evaluated phylogenetic clustering of bacterial and archaeal communities from redox-dynamic subtropical forest soils that were defined by 16S rRNA and rRNA gene sequences. We observed significant clustering for the RNA-based communities but not the DNA-based communities, as well as increasing clustering over time of the highly active taxa detected by only rRNA.     

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.     

Bacterial diversity of the Inner Mongolian Baer Soda Lake as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses

Bacterial diversity associated with Baer Soda Lake in Inner Mongolia of China was investigated using a culture-independent method. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene libraries were generated using bacterial oligonucleotide primers, and 16S rRNA gene sequences of 58 clones were analyzed phylogenetically. The library was dominated by 16S rDNAs of Gram-negative bacteria (24% -Proteobacteria, 31% -Proteobacteria, 33% -Proteobacteria, and 2% -Proteobacteria), with a lower percentage of clones corresponding to Gram-positive bacteria. Forty cloned sequences were similar to that of known bacterial isolates (>97% sequence similarity), represented by the species of the genera Brevundimonas, Comamonas, Alcaligenes, Stenotrophomonas, and Klebsiella. Eighteen cloned sequences showed less affiliation with known taxa (<97% sequence similarity) and may represent novel taxa.Communicated by K. Horikoshi     

Phylogenetic position of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and the relationship among its antigenic variants by analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences

Abstract The 16S rRNA gene sequences of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia sibirica were determined by PCR and DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. sibirica is positioned in a cluster of the genus Rickettsia with a similarity value of 98.1–99.6%, whereas R. tsutsugamushi is located apart from the cluster with a similarity value of 90.2–90.6%. This evidence suggests that R. tsutsugamushi should be excluded taxonomically from the genus Rickettsia . The phylogenetic classification of six antigenic variants in R. tsutsugamushi moderately reflected their antigenic relationship known in closely and distantly related strains.     

Characterization of the genus Bifidobacterium by automated ribotyping and 16S rRNA gene sequences

In order to characterize the genus Bifidobacterium, ribopatterns and approximately 500 bp (Escherichia coli positions 27 to 520) of 16S rRNA gene sequences of 28 type strains and 64 reference strains of the genus Bifidobacterium were determined. Ribopatterns obtained from Bifidobacterium strains were divided into nine clusters (clusters I-IX) with a similarity of 60%. Cluster V, containing 17 species, was further subdivided into 22 subclusters with a similarity of 90%. In the genus Bifidobacterium, four groups were shown according to Miyake et al.: (i) the Bifidobacterium longum infantis-longum-suis type group, (ii) the B. catenulatum-pseudocatenulatum group, (iii) the B. gallinarum-saeculare-pullorum group, and (iv) the B. coryneforme-indicum group, which showed higher than 97% similarity of the 16S rRNA gene sequences in each group. Using ribotyping analysis, unique ribopatterns were obtained from these species, and they could be separated by cluster analysis. Ribopatterns of six B. adolescentis strains were separated into different clusters, and also showed diversity in 16S rRNA gene sequences. B. adolescentis consisted of heterogeneous strains. The nine strains of B. pseudolongum subsp. pseudolongum were divided into five subclusters. Each type strain of B. pseudolongum subsp. pseudolongum and B. pseudolongum subsp. globosum and two intermediate groups, which were suggested by Yaeshima et al., consisted of individual clusters. B. animalis subsp. animalis and B. animalis subsp. lactis could not be separated by ribotyping using Eco RI. We conclude that ribotyping is able to provide another characteristic of Bifidobacterium strains in addition to 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis, and this information suggests that ribotyping analysis is a useful tool for the characterization of Bifidobacterium species in combination with other techniques for taxonomic characterization.     

Benchmarking of 16S rRNA gene databases using known strain sequences

16S rRNA gene analysis is the most convenient and robust method for microbiome studies. Inaccurate taxonomic assignment of bacterial strains could have deleterious effects as all downstream analyses rely heavily on the accurate assessment of microbial taxonomy. The use of mock communities to check the reliability of the results has been suggested. However, often the mock communities used in most of the studies represent only a small fraction of taxa and are used mostly as validation of sequencing run to estimate sequencing artifacts. Moreover, a large number of databases and tools available for classification and taxonomic assignment of the 16S rRNA gene make it challenging to select the best-suited method for a particular dataset. In the present study, we used authentic and validly published 16S rRNA gene type strain sequences (full length, V3-V4 region) and analyzed them using a widely used QIIME pipeline along with different parameters of OTU clustering and QIIME compatible databases. Data Analysis Measures (DAM) revealed a high discrepancy in ratifying the taxonomy at different taxonomic hierarchies. Beta diversity analysis showed clear segregation of different DAMs. Limited differences were observed in reference data set analysis using partial (V3-V4) and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences, which signify the reliability of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences in microbiome studies. Our analysis also highlights common discrepancies observed at various taxonomic levels using various methods and databases.     

Cryptic anuran biodiversity in Bangladesh revealed by mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences

To survey the diversity of anuran species in Bangladesh, we compared mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (approximately 1.4 kbp) from 107 Bangladesh frog specimens. The results of genetic divergence and phylogenetic analyses incorporating data from related species revealed the occurrence of at least eight cryptic species. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus from two districts diverged considerably, indicating the involvement of a cryptic species. Two Fejervarya sp. (large and medium types) and Hylarana cf. taipehensis formed lineages distinct from related species and are probably new species. Microhyla cf. ornata differed from M. ornata with respect to type locality area and involved two distinct species. In addition, we found that Hylarana sp. and Microhyla sp. did not match congeners examined to date in either morphology or 16S rRNA sequence. The occurrence of M. fissipes was tentatively suggested. Consequently, at least, 19 species were found from Bangladesh in this study. These findings revealed a rich anuran biodiversity in Bangladesh, which is unexpected considering the rather simple topographic features of the country.     

Phylogenetic characterization of Centipeda periodontii, Selenomonas sputigena and Selenomonas species by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

The nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences for oral Gram-negative anaerobic motile bacteria, Centipeda periodontii, Selenomonas sputigena and Selenomonas species (formerly S. sputigena type strain), were determined in order to unveil their relationship to other oral motile bacteria. To determine the phylogenetic characterization of these bacteria, their 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and compared with those from the ribosomal sequence databases previously reported. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these bacteria were similar to those of Selenomonas ruminantium and Schwartzia succinivorans isolated from rumens, and to Pectinatus cerevisiiphilus isolated from spoiled beer. Among oral bacteria, the nucleotide sequence analysis of these bacteria revealed high nucleotide similarity to Veillonella species, whereas low similarity to oral motile bacteria such as Campylobacter species. Phylogenetic analysis clearly confirmed that C. periodontii and two Selenomonas species were classified as relatives of a group besides Selenomonas, Schwartzia, and Pectinatus species, and not as close relatives to oral motile bacteria, such as Campylobacter species. These results suggest that such oral Gram-negative anaerobic motile bacteria are close relatives of oral bacteria.     

Explorative multivariate analyses of 16S rRNA gene data from microbial communities in modified-atmosphere-packed salmon and coalfish

Modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) of foods in combination with low-temperature storage extends product shelf life by limiting microbial growth. We investigated the microbial biodiversity of MAP salmon and coalfish by using an explorative approach and analyzing both the total amounts of bacteria and the microbial group composition (both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria). Real-time PCR analyses revealed a surprisingly large difference in the microbial loads for the different fish samples. The microbial composition was determined by examining partial 16S rRNA gene sequences from 180 bacterial isolates, as well as by performing terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and cloning 92 sequences from PCR products of DNA directly retrieved from the fish matrix. Twenty different bacterial groups were identified. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression was used to relate the major groups of bacteria identified to the fish matrix and storage time. A strong association of coalfish with Photobacterium phosphoreum was observed. Brochothrix spp. and Carnobacterium spp., on the other hand, were associated with salmon. These bacteria dominated the fish matrixes after a storage period. Twelve Carnobacterium isolates were identified as either Carnobacterium piscicola (five isolates) or Carnobacterium divergens (seven isolates), while the eight Brochothrix isolates were identified as Brochothrix thermosphacta by full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Principal-component analyses and PLS analysis of the growth characteristics (with 49 different substrates) showed that C. piscicola had distinct substrate requirements, while the requirements of B. thermosphacta and C. piscicola were quite divergent. In conclusion, our explorative multivariate approach gave a picture of the total microbial biodiversity in MAP fish that was more comprehensive than the picture that could be obtained previously. Such information is crucial in controlled food production when, for example, the hazard analysis of critical control points principle is used.     

Phylogenetic relationship of 16 Oedipodidae species （Insecta： Orthoptera） based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences

The sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of 16 Oedipodidae species were amplified and sequenced. All sequences were aligned and analyzed and the phylogenetic relationships were inferred. The properties of 16S gene in Oedipodidae showed typical patterns of many insects such as a high A＋T content and variable distance-dependent transition/transversion ratios. The 0.2 weight for sites of loops may be advisable for phylogeny reconstruction using the maximum parsimony method. The phylogenetic analysis results do not support the current subfamily classification systems of Oedipodidae. Bryodemellinae and Bryodeminae are closely related and should be merged as one subfamily. The status of Oedipodinae and Locustinae is also problematic.     

Phylogenetic studies of the rRNA group II pseudomonads based on 16S rRNA gene sequences

Nearly complete sequences of 16S rRNA genes were determined for eight bacterial strains representing five species of the rRNA homology group II pseudomonads that are members of the beta subclass of the class Proteobacteria. Comparative analysis with published sequence data indicated that Pseudomonas andropogonis, Ps. caryophylli, Ps. gladioli pv. gladioli and Ps. cepacia aggregate in one coherent cluster at 94·2% sequence similarity; Ps. solanacearum and Ps. pickettii shared 95·3% and 92·8% similarity with Alcaligenes eutrophus in another cluster. Both clusters joined at 87·8% similarity, which is similar to that for genera in this subclass of Proteobacteria. Based on this study and on comparison with other works we suggest that these species are separated from authentic pseudomonads and constitute a new genus or possibly two related genera accommodating Ps. andropogonis, Ps. caryophylli, Ps. gladioli, Ps. cepacia, and Ps. solanacearum, Ps. pickettii and A. eutrophus, respectively. Four strains of Ps. solanacearum representing Biovars 1, 2, 3 and 4 were subdivided into two clusters at 99·1% sequence similarity, in agreement with other published phenotypic and genotypic studies. The two clusters may be potentially regarded as subspecies.     

Dispersal and phylogenetic diversity of nonmarine picocyanobacteria,inferred from 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA-intergenic spacer sequence analyses

More than 20 Synechococcus and Cyanobium isolates were obtained from central European subalpine lakes and sequenced for their 16S rRNA gene and part of the phycocyanin operon (cpc), specifically the intergenic spacer (IGS) between cpcB and cpcA, and corresponding flanking regions (cpcBA-IGS). Maximum-likelihood analyses revealed the existence of at least six to seven clusters of nonmarine picocyanobacteria within the picophytoplankton clade and support the conjecture of global dispersal for some closely related picocyanobacterial genotypes.     

拟诺卡氏菌16S rRNA,gyrB,sod和rpoB基因的系统发育分析

为了更好地了解拟诺卡氏菌属(Nocardiopsis)各物种间的系统发育关系,该属现有有效描述种的gyrB,sod和rpoB基因的部分序列被测定,结合16S rRNA基因,对拟诺卡氏菌属进行了系统发育重建。研究发现拟诺卡氏菌属gyrB,sod和rpoB基因的平均相似性分别为87.7%、87.3%和94.1%,而16S rRNA基因的平均相似性则达到96.65%,3个看家基因均比16S rRNA具有更高的分歧度。比较基于不同基因的系统树发现,由gyrB基因得到的系统树拓扑结构与16S rRNA得到的结构在亚群上基本一致。因此,gyrB基因在拟诺卡氏菌属的系统分类上比16S rRNA基因更具优越性。