Molecular characterization of DNA encoding 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions and 16S rRNA of pectolytic Erwinia species

Sequences of 16S rDNAs and the intergenic spacer (IGS) regions between the 16S and 23S rDNA of bacterial strains from genus Erwinia were determined. Comparison of 16S rDNA sequences from different species and subspecies clearly revealed intraspecies-subspecies homology and interspecies heterogeneity. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA sequence data revealed that Erwinia spp. formed a discrete monophyletic clade with moderate to high bootstrap values. PCR amplification of the 16S-23S rDNA regions using primers complementary to the 3' end of 16S and 5' end of 23S rRNA genes generated two DNA fragments. The small 16S-23S rDNA IGS regions of Erwinia spp. examined in this study varied considerably in size and nucleotide sequence. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of small IGS sequence data showed a consistent relationship among the test strains that was roughly in agreement with the 16S rDNA data that reflected the accepted species and subspecies structure of the taxon. Sequence data derived from the large IGS resolved the strains into coherent groups; however, the sequence information would not allow any phylogenetic conclusion, because it failed to reflect the accepted species structure of the test strains.     

Characterization of Rhizobium 'hedysari' by RFLP analysis of PCR amplified rDNA and by genomic PCR fingerprinting

The taxonomic and discriminatory power of RFLP analysis of PCR amplified parts of rhizobial rrn operons was compared to those of genomic PCR fingerprinting with arbitrary and repetitive primers. For this purpose, the two methods were applied for characterization of a group of bacterial isolates referred to as Rhizobium 'hedysari'. As outgroups, representatives of the family Rhizobiaceae, belonging to the Rhizobium galegae, Rhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium leguminosarum and Agrobacterium tumefaciens species were used. By the RFLP analysis of the PCR products corresponding to the variable 5'-half of the 23S rRNA gene and of the amplified spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes all Rh. 'hedysari' strains studied were tightly clustered together while the outgroups were placed in an outer position. The PCR products of the 3' end parts of the 23S rDNA did not show significant RFL polymorphism and no species differentiation on their basis was possible. In parallel, analysis of the same strains was performed by PCR amplification of their total DNA with 19, 18 and 10 bp long arbitrary primers (AP-PCR) as well as with single primers corresponding to several bacterial repetitive sequences (rep-PCR). By both AP and rep-PCR an identification of every particular strain was achieved. In general, all primers provided taxonomic results that are in agreement with the species and group assignments based on the RFLP analysis of the rrn operons. On the basis of the results presented here it can be concluded that AP and rcp-PCR are more informative and discriminative than rDNA and RFLP analysis of the rhizobial strains studied.     

Participation of DnaK in expression of genes involved in virulence of Listeria monocytogenes

The 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions of the acetic acid bacteria were sequenced and evaluated for molecular identification of these bacteria. All the sequenced spacers contained genes for tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala), and the antitermination element. The sequences revealed 56.8-78.3% similarity. By PCR amplification of the spacers from 57 strains of acetic acid bacteria, single products of similar sizes were produced. Digestion of the spacers by HaeIII and HpaII restriction enzymes resulted in 12 distinct groups of restriction types. All the restriction profiles obtained after analysis of microbial populations from vinegar matched one of the 12 groups.     

Differentiation of bacterial strains by thermal gradient gel electrophoresis using non-GC-clamped PCR primers for the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region

The method for DNA fingerprinting of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region was modified to increase resolution of bacterial strains by thermal gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) analysis. By utilizing the high melting temperature region of the tRNA gene located in the middle of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region as an internal clamp for TGGE, multiple melting domain problems were solved. PCR primers lacking a stretch of GC-rich sequences (GC-clamp) amplified the intergenic spacer region more efficiently than GC-clamped primers. Therefore, PCR artifacts were avoided by using low, 17-cycle, PCR. The method was successfully applied to diverse bacterial species for strain differentiation by TGGE without requiring a special PCR primer set.     

Discrimination of Rhizobium tropici and R. leguminosarum strains by PCR-specific amplification of 16S-23S rDNA spacer region fragments and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)

With the aim of detecting Rhizobium species directly in the environment, specific PCR primers for Rh. tropici and Rh. leguminosarum were designed on the basis of sequence analysis of 16S-23S rDNA spacer regions of several Rh. tropici, Rh. leguminosarum and Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains. Primer specificity was checked by comparison with available rDNA spacer sequences in databases, and by PCR using DNA from target and reference strains. Sequence polymorphisms of rDNA spacer fragments among strains of the same species were detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The specific PCR primers designed in this study could be applied to evaluate the diversity of Rh. tropici and Rh. leguminosarum by analysing the polymorphisms of 16S-23S spacer rDNA amplified from either whole-cell or soil-extracted DNA.     

Chemolithotrophic Bacteria in Copper Ores Leached at High Sulfuric Acid Concentration

Extensive bacterial growth was observed when copper sulfide ores were leached with 0.6 N sulfuric acid. The bacterial population developed in this condition was examined by characterization of the spacer regions between the 16S and 23S rRNA genetic loci obtained after PCR amplification of the DNA extracted from the leached ore. The spacers observed had the sizes found in strains of "Leptospirillum ferrooxidans" and Thiobacillus thiooxidans, except for a larger one, approximately 560 bp long, that was not observed in any of the strains examined, including those of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. The bacteria with this last spacer were selected after culturing in mineral and elemental sulfur media containing 0.7 N sulfuric acid. The spacer and the 16S ribosomal DNA of this isolate were sequenced and compared with those in species commonly found in bioleaching processes. Though the nucleotide sequence of the spacer showed an extensive heterologous region with T. thiooxidans, the sequence of its 16S rDNA gene indicated a close relationship (99.85%) with this species. These results indicate that a population comprised of bacterial strains closely related to T. thiooxidans and of another strain, possibly related to "L. ferrooxidans," can develop during leaching at high sulfuric acid concentration. Iron oxidation in this condition is attributable to "L. ferrooxidans" and not T. ferrooxidans, based on the presence of spacers with the "L. ferrooxidans" size range and the absence of spacers characteristic of T. ferrooxidans.     

Design and evaluation of an oligonucleotide-microarray for the detection of different species of the genus Kitasatospora

An oligonucleotide-microarray method was developed for the detection of Kitasatospora species in soil samples. The 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of these antibiotics-producing actinomycetes was applied to design short oligonucleotide probes. Two different 26-mers were synthesized, specific to each species used. Additionally, four oligonucleotide probes were designed to evaluate the system. The oligonucleotides were spotted onto slides of the ArrayTube microarray system and examined with a new silver-labeling detection technique. Prior to hybridization analysis, the 16S-23S rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction both from bacterial cells and environmental samples using two actinomycetes specific primers containing a 5' biotin labeling. The type strains of eight Kitasatospora species included in this study were K. phosalacinea DSM 43860, K. setae DSM 43861, K. cochleata DSM 41652, K. cystarginea DSM 41680, K. azatica DSM 41650, K. mediocidica DSM 43929, K. paracochleata DSM 41656, and K. griseola DSM 43859. The actinomycetes-specific primers were shown to amplify the entire 16S-23S rDNA ITS region from all tested strains. More importantly, the described technique allows the detection of Kitasatospora strains from soil samples by extracting metagenomic DNA followed by a PCR amplification step. This indicates that the oligonucleotide-microarray method developed in this study is a reliable tool for the detection of Kitasatospora species in environmental samples.     

Molecular evidence supporting the existence of two major groups in uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract Molecular methods allow an extremely fine strain typing that can be used to establish the population structure of bacterial species. This methodology has been used to characterize a collection of 74 uropathogenic Escherichia coli obtained from three hospitals located in geographically distant towns in Spain, some representatives of the ECOR collection and other reference strains. Genomic DNA was analyzed by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) that can characterize a bacterial strain to the level of defining individual clones. The 16S rDNA-23S rDNA spacers were amplified by PCR and submitted to restriction analysis. Finally, the presence or absence of G adhesins in Escherichia coli as well as the type of adhesin (three types are known) have been shown by PCR amplification followed by digestion with restriction enzymes. As expected a wide diversity was shown by RAPD and identical patterns were only found in the case of strains isolated from the same individual, an obvious case of relapse. Analysis of the spacers' restriction patterns showed the presence of two markedly differentiated clusters that we have named α and ß. Both RAPD and spacer restriction patterns originated similar clusters of strains showing a consistency in the evolution of the global genome with the sequence variation of the ribosomal spacers. Furthermore, most of the strains having G-adhesin, with only a few exceptions, corresponded to the α rRNA spacer group. The two spacer types detected were also consistent with some phenotypic markers such as sucrose and raffinose utilization. The α and β clusters could be intraspecific groups produced by partial sexual isolation or other barriers that are originating a divergent evolution.     

Multiple displacement amplification of DNA from human colon and rectum biopsies: bacterial profiling and identification of Helicobacter pylori-DNA by means of 16S rDNA-based TTGE and pyrosequencing analysis

Amplifying bacterial DNA by PCR from human biopsy specimens has sometimes proved to be difficult, mainly due to the low amount of bacterial DNA present. Therefore, nested or semi-nested 16S rDNA PCR amplification has been the method of choice. In this study, we evaluate the potential use of whole genome amplification of total DNA isolated from human colon and rectum biopsy specimens, followed by 16S rDNA PCR amplification of multiple displacement amplified (MDA)-DNA. Subsequently, a H. pylori-specific 16S rDNA variable V3 region PCR assay was applied directly on MDA-DNA and, combined with pyrosequencing analysis; the presence of H. pylori in some biopsies from colon in patients with microscopic colitis was confirmed. Furthermore, temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) of 16S rDNA amplicons using primers flanking variable regions V3, V4, and V9, was used to establish bacterial profiles from individual biopsies. A variation of the bacterial profiles in the colonic mucosa in microscopic colitis and in normal rectal mucosa was observed. In conclusion we find the MDA technique to be a useful method to overcome the problem of insufficient bacterial DNA in human biopsy specimens.     

2株创伤弧菌的16S-23S rDNA间区的克隆、测序及分析

根据细菌的16SrDNA3’端和23SrDNA5’端的高度保守区设计引物,PCR扩增了2株创伤弧菌（Vibrio vulnificus）的16S-23SrDNA间区（Intergenic spacer,IGS）,克隆到pGEM-T载体上,测序。用BLAST和DNA star软件对16S-23SrDNA间区序列及其内的tRNA基因进行比较分析。结果表明,2株创伤弧菌共测出9条16S-23SrDNA间区序列,其中ZSU006测出5条,间区类型分别为：IGS^GLAV、IGS^GLV、IGS^LA、IGS^A和IGS^G.其中IGS^GLAv最大,包含tRNA^Glu、tRNA^Lys、tRNA^Ala。和tRNA^Val基因;IGS^GLV包含tRNA^Glu、tRNA^Lys。和tRNA^Val基因;IGS^LA,则包含tRNA^Ile和tRNA^Ala基因;IGS^G包含tRNA^Glu基因;而IGS^A仅包含tRNA^Ala基因。菌株CG021测出的16S-23SrDNA IGS序列有4条,除缺少IGS^A外,其余的IGS类型均与ZSU006的相同。与GenBank内的创伤弧菌ATCC27562的IGS序列比较,发现创伤弧菌所有类型的IGS的tRNA基因两端的非编码区具有较高的种内同源性。16S-23SrDNA间区结构的差异为建立一种新的创伤弧菌检测方法奠定了基础。     

Culture-independent metagenomic approach to characterize the surface and subsurface soil bacterial community in the Brahmaputra valley,Assam, North-East India,an Indo-Burma mega-biodiversity hotspot

Soil bacterial communities, which contain the highest level of prokaryotic diversity of any natural environment, are important for ecosystem functioning. A culture-independent metagenomic approach was employed in the present investigation to characterize the diversity of soil bacterial community composition in five geochemically and hydrologically different surface and subsurface soil habitats of Brahmaputra valley, Assam, North-East India, an Indo-Burma mega-biodiversity hotspot. The diversity of soil bacterial community was determined through sequence analysis of 16S–23S intergenic spacer regions (ISR). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) universal primers, 1406F (5′-TGYACACACCGCCCGT-3′) and 155r (5′-GGGTTBCATTCRG-3′) were used for amplification of 16S–23S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacers of bacteria. Amplification resulted in an intense array of PCR products approximately ranging in size from 200 to 900 bp. Clear banding patterns were observed in analysed samples using the primer set in combination. A clear change in microbial ISR profile was observed on visual analysis of gel electrophoresis profiles. Fast alignment database searches of PCR amplicons of 16S–23S ISR sequence data revealed that the isolated sequences resembled five major phylogenetic groups of bacteria, namely α-, β- and γ-subdivisions of Proteobacteria, Acidobacterium and Comamonadaceae.     

DNA sequence of the 16S rRNA/23S rRNA intercistronic spacer of two rDNA operons of the archaebacterium Methanococcus vannielii

The DNA sequence of the spacer (plus flanking) regions separating the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes of two presumptive rDNA operons of the archaebacterium Methanococcus vannielii was determined. The spacers are 156 and 242 base pairs in size and they share a sequence homology of 49 base pairs following the 3' terminus of the 16S rRNA gene and of about 60 base pairs preceding the 5' end of the 23S rRNA gene. The 242 base pair spacer, in addition contains a sequence which can be transcribed into tRNAAla, whereas no tRNA-like secondary structure can be delineated from the 156 base pair spacer region. Almost complete sequence homology was detected between the end of the 16S rRNA gene and the 3' termini of either Escherichia coli or Halobacterium halobium 16S rRNA, whereas the putative 5' terminal 23S rRNA sequence shared partial homology with E. coli 23S rRNA and eukaryotic 5.8S rRNA.     

Molecular analysis of 16S–23S spacer regions ofAcetobacter species

16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) similarities were determined in 8 Acetobacter and 1 Gluconacetobacter strains. ITS-PCR amplification of the 16S-23S spacers showed 2 products of similar size in 7 strains; only 1 product of similar size was found in the 2 remaining strains. Analysis of the PCR products using restriction endonucleases HaeIII, HpaII and AluI revealed 3 different restriction groups of A. pasteurianus for AluI and HaeIII, and 4 restriction groups for HpaII. ITS nucleotide sequences of all studied strains exhibited a 52-98% similarity.     

Mathematical modeling of 16S ribosomal DNA amplification reveals optimal conditions for the interrogation of complex microbial communities with phylogenetic microarrays

MOTIVATION: Many current studies of complex microbial communities rely on the isolation of community genomic DNA, amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) and subsequent examination of community structure through interrogation of the amplified 16S rDNA pool by high-throughput sequencing, phylogenetic microarrays or quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Here we describe the development of a mathematical model aimed to simulate multitemplate amplification of 16S ribosomal DNA sample and subsequent detection of these amplified 16S rDNA species by phylogenetic microarray. Using parameters estimated from the experimental results obtained in the analysis of intestinal microbial communities with Microbiota Array, we show that both species detection and the accuracy of species abundance estimates depended heavily on the number of PCR cycles used to amplify 16S rDNA. Both parameters initially improved with each additional PCR cycle and reached optimum between 15 and 20 cycles of amplification. The use of more than 20 cycles of PCR amplification and/or more than 50 ng of starting genomic DNA template was, however, detrimental to both the fraction of detected community members and the accuracy of abundance estimates. Overall, the outcomes of the model simulations matched well available experimental data. Our simulations also showed that species detection and the accuracy of abundance measurements correlated positively with the higher sample-wide PCR amplification rate, lower template-to-template PCR bias and lower number of species in the interrogated community. The developed model can be easily modified to simulate other multitemplate DNA mixtures as well as other microarray designs and PCR amplification protocols.     

Bacterial 16S rRNA Gene Analysis Revealed That Bacteria Related to Arcobacter spp. Constitute an Abundant and Common Component of the Oyster Microbiota (Tiostrea chilensis)

To explore the bacterial microbiota in Chilean oyster (Tiostrea chilensis), a molecular approach that permits detection of different bacteria, independently of their capacity to grow in culture media, was used. Bacterial diversity was assessed by analysis of both the 16S rDNA and the 16S-23S intergenic region, obtained by PCR amplifications of DNA extracted from depurated oysters. RFLP of the PCR amplified 16S rDNA showed a prevailing pattern in most of the individuals analyzed, indicating that a few bacterial species were relatively abundant and common in oysters. Cloning and sequencing of the 16S rDNA with the prevailing RFLP pattern indicated that this rRNA was most closely related to Arcobacter spp. However, analysis by the size of the amplified 16S-23S rRNA intergenic regions revealed not Arcobacter spp. but Staphylococcus spp. related bacteria as a major and common component in oyster. These different results may be caused by the absence of target for one of the primers employed for amplification of the intergenic region. Neither of the two bacteria species found in large abundance was recovered after culturing under aerobic, anaerobic, or microaerophilic conditions. This result, however, is expected because the number of bacteria recovered after cultivation was less than 0.01% of the total. All together, these observations suggest that Arcobacter-related strains are probably abundant and common in the Chilean oyster bacterial microbiota.     

Bacterial populations in samples of bioleached copper ore as revealed by analysis of DNA obtained before and after cultivation.

The composition of bacterial populations in copper bioleaching systems was investigated by analysis of DNA obtained either directly from ores or leaching solutions or after laboratory cultures. This analysis consisted of the characterization of the spacer regions between the 16 and 23S genes in the bacterial rRNA genetic loci after PCR amplification. The sizes of the spacer regions, amplified from DNAs obtained from samples, were compared with the sizes of those obtained from cultures of the main bacterial species isolated from bioleaching systems. This allowed a preliminary assessment of the bacterial species present in the samples. Identification of the bacteria was achieved by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes adjacent to the spacer regions. The spacer regions observed in DNA from columns leached at different iron concentrations indicated the presence of a mixture of different bacteria. The spacer region corresponding to Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was the main product observed at high ferrous iron concentration. At low ferrous iron concentration, spacer regions of different lengths, corresponding to Thiobacillus thiooxidans and "Leptospirillum ferrooxidans" were observed. However, T. ferrooxidans appeared to predominate after culture of these samples in medium containing ferrous iron as energy source. Although some of these strains contained singular spacer regions, they belonged within previously described groups of T. ferrooxidans according to the nucleotide sequence of the neighbor 16S rRNA. These results illustrate the bacterial diversity in bioleaching systems and the selective pressure generated by different growth conditions.