Comparison of the small 16S to 23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the rRNA operons of some Escherichia coli strains of the ECOR collection and E. coli K-12

16S-23S rRNA Gene Intergenic Spacer Region Variability Helps Resolve Closely Related Sphingomonads

Sphingomonads comprise a physiologically versatile group many of which appear to be adapted to oligotrophic environments, but several also had features in their genomes indicative of host associations. In this study, the extent variability of the 16S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer (ITS) sequences of 14 ATCC reference sphingomonad strains and 23 isolates recovered from drinking water was investigated through PCR amplification and sequencing. Sequencing analysis of the 16S–23S rRNA gene ITS region revealed that the ITS sizes for all studied isolates varied between 415 and 849 bp, while their G+C content was 42.2–57.9 mol%. Five distinct ITS types were identified: ITS^none (without tRNA genes), ITS^Ala(TGC), ITS^{Ala(TGC)+Ile(GAT)}, ITS^{Ile(GAT)+Ala(TGC)}, and ITS ^{Ile(GAT)+Pseudo}. All of the identified tRNA^Ala(TGC) molecules consisted of 73 bases, and all of the tRNA^Ile(GAT) molecules consisted of 74 bases. We also detected striking variability in the size of the ITS region among the various examined isolates. Highest variability was detected within the ITS-2. The importance of this study is that this is the first comparison of the 16S–23S rDNA ITS sequence similarities and tRNA genes from sphingomonads. Collectively the data obtained in this study revealed the heterogeneity and extent of variability within the ITS region compared to the 16S rRNA gene within closely related isolates. Sequence and length polymorphisms within the ITS region along with the ITS types (tRNA-containing or lacking and the type of tRNA) and ITS-2 size and sequence similarities allowed us to overcome the limitation we previously encountered in resolving closely related isolates based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence.

Identification and genetic characterization of Piscirickettsia salmonis in native fish from southern Chile

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the etiological agent of piscirickettsiosis, a severe disease causing high mortalities in salmonids. This bacterium has been previously identified and isolated in all cultivated salmonids in Chile and worldwide, including Salmo salar, Oncorhynchus kisutch, and O. mykiss, in addition to being found in non-salmonid species such as Dicentrarchus labrax and Atractoscion nobilis. In this study, the 16S rRNA gene and intergenic spacer ITS-1 of P. salmonis were amplified by PCR from DNA samples extracted from the native Chilean fish species Eleginops maclovinus, Odontesthes regia, Sebastes capensis, and Salilota australis. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences from O. regia demonstrated a close phylogenetic relationship with the 16S rRNA gene in the Chilean EM-90 strain. The 16S rRNA sequences from E. maclovinus, S. capensis, and S. australis were related to the Chilean LF-89 sequence and Scottish strains. To confirm these findings, analysis of P. salmonis ITS-1 sequences obtained from the 4 sampled native species demonstrated a high degree of identity and a close phylogenetic relationship with Chilean P. salmonis sequences, including LF-89 and EM-90. These results suggest a strong relationship between the nucleotide sequences from the 16S rRNA and ITS-1 genes amplified from native fish with those sequences described in the first P. salmonis strains to be identified and isolated in Chile.

MLSA barcoding of Marichromatium spp. and reclassification of Marichromatium fluminis (Sucharita et al., 2010) as Phaeochromatium fluminis gen. nov. comb. nov

Thirty-one members of the genus Marichromatium were analysed based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four concatenated protein-coding genes (fusA, pufM, dnaK, recA) along with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS; 16S-23S rRNA) region and 16S rRNA gene. The restriction patterns obtained from the in silico analysis of the concatenated sequences were good barcodes for the identification of Marichromatium spp. Distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular differences allowed the separation of Marichromatium fluminis JA418(T) into a new genus in the family Chromatiaceae, for which we propose the name Phaeochromatium fluminis gen. nov. comb. nov.

Paenibacillus larvae 16S-23S rDNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) regions: DNA fingerprinting and characterization

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood in honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae. PCR amplification of the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, and agarose gel electrophoresis of the amplified DNA, was performed using genomic DNA collected from 134 P. larvae strains isolated in Connecticut, six Northern Regional Research Laboratory stock strains, four strains isolated in Argentina, and one strain isolated in Chile. Following electrophoresis of amplified DNA, all isolates exhibited a common migratory profile (i.e., ITS-PCR fingerprint pattern) of six DNA bands. This profile represented a unique ITS-PCR DNA fingerprint that was useful as a fast, simple, and accurate procedure for identification of P. larvae. Digestion of ITS-PCR amplified DNA, using mung bean nuclease prior to electrophoresis, characterized only three of the six electrophoresis bands as homoduplex DNA and indicating three true ITS regions. These three ITS regions, DNA migratory band sizes of 915, 1010, and 1474 bp, signify a minimum of three types of rrn operons within P. larvae. DNA sequence analysis of ITS region DNA, using P. larvae NRRL B-3553, identified the 3' terminal nucleotides of the 16S rRNA gene, 5' terminal nucleotides of the 23S rRNA gene, and the complete DNA sequences of the 5S rRNA, tRNA(ala), and tRNA(ile) genes. Gene organization within the three rrn operon types was 16S-23S, 16S-tRNA(ala)-23S, and l6S-5S-tRNA(ile)-tRNA(ala)-23S and these operons were named rrnA, rrnF, and rrnG, respectively. The 23S rRNA gene was shown by I-CeuI digestion and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA to be present as seven copies. This was suggestive of seven rrn operon copies within the P. larvae genome. Investigation of the 16S-23S rDNA regions of this bacterium has aided the development of a diagnostic procedure and has helped genomic mapping investigations via characterization of the ITS regions.

Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease

Gut microbiota is an assortment of microorganisms inhabiting the length and width of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. The composition of this microbial community is host specific, evolving throughout an individual's lifetime and susceptible to both exogenous and endogenous modifications. Recent renewed interest in the structure and function of this “organ” has illuminated its central position in health and disease. The microbiota is intimately involved in numerous aspects of normal host physiology, from nutritional status to behavior and stress response. Additionally, they can be a central or a contributing cause of many diseases, affecting both near and far organ systems. The overall balance in the composition of the gut microbial community, as well as the presence or absence of key species capable of effecting specific responses, is important in ensuring homeostasis or lack thereof at the intestinal mucosa and beyond. The mechanisms through which microbiota exerts its beneficial or detrimental influences remain largely undefined, but include elaboration of signaling molecules and recognition of bacterial epitopes by both intestinal epithelial and mucosal immune cells. The advances in modeling and analysis of gut microbiota will further our knowledge of their role in health and disease, allowing customization of existing and future therapeutic and prophylactic modalities.

The internal transcribed spacer region, a new tool for use in species differentiation and delineation of systematic relationships within the Campylobacter genus

The Campylobacter genus consists of a number of important human and animal pathogens. Although the 16S rRNA gene has been used extensively for detection and identification of Campylobacter species, there is currently limited information on the 23S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region that lies between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. We examined the potential of the 23S rRNA gene and the ITS region to be used in species differentiation and delineation of systematic relationships for 30 taxa within the Campylobacter genus. The ITS region produced the highest mean pairwise percentage difference (35.94%) compared to the 16S (5.34%) and 23S (7.29%) rRNA genes. The discriminatory power for each region was further validated using Simpson's index of diversity (D value). The D values were 0.968, 0.995, and 0.766 for the ITS region and the 23S and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. A closer examination of the ITS region revealed that Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter showae, and Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus harbored tRNA configurations not previously reported for other members of the Campylobacter genus. We also observed the presence of strain-dependent intervening sequences in the 23S rRNA genes. Neighbor-joining trees using the ITS region revealed that Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains clustered in subgroups, which was not observed in trees derived from the 16S or 23S rRNA gene. Of the three regions examined, the ITS region is by far the most cost-effective region for the differentiation and delineation of systematic relationships within the Campylobacter genus.

High-throughput identification of clinically important bacterial pathogens using DNA microarray

Rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria is important for the treatment of patients with suitable antibiotics. Here we report the development of a diagnostic DNA microarray for the high-throughput identification of 39 pathogenic bacteria selected based on their high prevalence rate and/or difficulty of cultivation. The 23S ribosomal DNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region were used as target DNAs for pathogen detection. Universal- and species-specific probes were designed based on the unique and common sites within the target DNA sequences. New target DNA sequences were determined for the detection of 19 bacterial pathogens. The usefulness of the designed probes was validated using 39 reference bacteria and also with 515 clinical isolates from various clinical samples including blood, stool, pus, sputum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The DNA microarray developed in this study allowed efficient detection of bacterial pathogens with the specificities of 100%. The sensitivities were 100% as well except for the two pathogens, Enterobacter cloacae (75%) and Enterococcus faecium (85%). These results suggest that the DNA microarray-based assay developed in this study outperforms current diagnostic systems with respect to sensitivity, specificity, and high-throughput detection, and thus should be useful in pathogen diagnosis in the clinical setting.

Effect of anoxic selector configuration on sludge volume index control and bacterial population fingerprinting

The effect of single-stage and 4-stage anoxic selectors and an anoxic/aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on the removal of readily biodegradable chemical oxygen demand (rbCOD) and slowly biodegradable COD (sbCOD) and on filamentous growth and sludge settleability was studied. Microbial community fingerprinting in the three selector configurations was done using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Nostocoida limicola II and type 1851 filamentous bacteria were observed in all systems. The diluted sludge volume index (DSVI) decreased with increased selector staging. The rbCOD was almost completely removed in all selectors, and the lower DSVI values with increased selector staging were the result of greater sbCOD removal in the selector. The plug-flow kinetics in the SBR aerobic phase also improved DSVI. The bacteria community composition in the 4-stage selector system was found to be more similar to that for the SBR than for the single-stage selector.

Molecular genetic basis of ribotyping

Nearly 2,000 ribotyping-based studies exist, ranging from epidemiology to phylogeny and taxonomy. None precisely reveals the molecular genetic basis, with many incorrectly attributing detected polymorphisms to rRNA gene sequences. Based on in silico genomics, we demonstrate that ribotype polymorphisms result from sequence variability in neutral housekeeping genes flanking rRNA operons, with rRNA gene sequences serving solely as conserved, flank-linked tags. We also reveal that from such an informatics perspective, it is readily feasible a priori to design an interpretable ribotyping scheme for a genomically sequenced microbial species, and we discuss limitations to the basic restriction fragment length polymorphism-based method as well as alternate PCR ribotyping-based schemes.

An effect of 16S rRNA intercistronic variability on coevolutionary analysis in symbiotic bacteria: molecular phylogeny of Arsenophonus triatominarum

The genes of ribosomal RNA are the most popular and frequently used markers for bacterial phylogeny and reconstruction of insect-symbiont coevolution. In primary symbionts, such as Buchnera and Wigglesworthia, genome economization leads to the establishment of a single copy of these sequences. In phylogenetic studies, they provide sufficient information and yield phylogenetic trees congruent with host evolution. In contrast, other symbiotic lineages (e.g., the genus Arsenophonus) carry a higher number of rRNA copies in their genomes, which may have serious consequences for phylogenetic inference. In this study, we show that in Arsenophonus triatominarum the degree of heterogeneity can affect reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships and mask possible coevolution between the symbiont and its host. Phylogenetic arrangement of individual rRNA copies was used, together with a calculation of their divergence time, to demonstrate that the incongruent 16S rDNA trees and low nucleotide diversity in the secondary symbiont could be reconciled with the coevolutionary scenario.

Source tracking of Escherichia coli by 16S-23S intergenic spacer region denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the rrnB ribosomal operon

This research validates a novel approach for source tracking based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of DNA extracted from Escherichia coli isolates. Escherichia coli from different animal sources and from river samples upstream from, at, and downstream of a combined sewer overflow were subjected to DGGE to determine sequence variations within the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the rrnB ribosomal operon. The ISR was analyzed to determine if E. coli isolates from various animal sources could be differentiated from each other. DNA isolated from the E. coli animal sources was PCR amplified to isolate the rrnB operon. To prevent amplification of all 7 E. coli ribosomal operons by PCR amplification using universal primers, sequence-specific primers were utilized for the rrnB operon. Another primer set was then used to prepare samples of the 16S-23S ISR for DGGE. Comparison of PCR-DGGE results between human and animal sources revealed differences in the distribution and frequency of the DGGE bands produced. Human and Canada Goose isolates had the most unique distribution patterns and the highest percent of unique isolates and were grouped separately from all other animal sources. Method validation suggests that there are enough host specificity and genetic differences for use in the field. Field results at and around a combined sewer overflow indicate that this method can be used for microbial source tracking.

Characterization of true-branching cyanobacteria from geothermal sites and hot springs of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is at the centre of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot. Little is known about cyanobacteria from this region so far. Here, four isolates of the order Stigonematales (section V) were characterized in a polyphasic approach. All strains were isolated from geothermal sites and hot springs of Costa Rica. However, one of them, identified as Westiellopsis sp. Ar73, did not grow at more than 40 degrees C. Based on its identical 16S rRNA to several previously isolated Westiellopsis sp. and Fischerella muscicola strains, a ubiquitous distribution throughout tropical and subtropical regions can be implied. In contrast, the isolates MV9, MV11 and RV14 grew well up to 50-55 degrees C. Based on morphologic, ultrastructural, molecular and physiologic data, MV9, MV11 and RV14 were identified to belong to the genus Fischerella. Two distinct intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) types, with or without tRNA genes, were detected for all Stigonematales analysed here, indicating ITS polymorphism as a characteristic feature of heterocystous cyanobacteria. In phylogenetic trees, these Fischerella spp. formed a new and distinct clade within the wider lineage of thermophilic Fischerella (Mastigocladus cf. laminosus), which might represent a geographic lineage. Thus, geographic isolation may be an underestimated aspect of microbial evolution. The strains presented here are suitable as new models to study this group of cyanobacteria.

Application of horizontal staircase electrophoresis in agarose minigels to the random intergenic spacer analysis of clinical samples

The random intergenic spacer analysis is a recently developed technique for the study of microbial populations. The bacterial intergenic spacer (ITS) is located between 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes and presents different length and sequence among bacterial species. Therefore, the amplicons can be separated by electrophoresis commonly performed at low voltage during several hours. Although this technique is especially useful for unculturable microorganisms, it has not been applied before to clinical sample analysis. As these samples have a limited number of bacterial species, the size of the gels may be reduced to facilitate their handling and to reduce the running time. To obtain maximum separation among the ITS bands, we analysed in this work different electrophoretical conditions including staircase electrophoresis, a technique based on the application of several voltage steps. The results obtained showed a different behaviour of the electrical resistance during the performance of submarine horizontal and vertical staircase electrophoresis. In the first case the resistance decreased during most of the running time whereas in the second case it increased. Here, we show that the performance of horizontal staircase electrophoresis reduces the running time more than 80% with respect to conventional electrophoresis at low voltages. This procedure was applied to the separation of ITS bands from bacterial DNA present in a tissue from a vocal cord biopsy. The sequencing of these bands allowed their identification. This new procedure may be very useful in the rapid diagnosis of bacteria present in human, animal and plant tissues.

DNA microarray-based detection of nosocomial pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii

Infection by nosocomial pathogenic bacteria is increasingly becoming a major threat to the patients in the hospital. We have developed a diagnostic DNA microarray for the detection of two important nosocomial pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The diagnostic DNA microarray contains the species-specific probes of 15mer oligonucleotides designed based on the sequences of 23S ribosomal DNA. The performance of DNA microarray in diagnosing P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii was evaluated using reference bacteria as well as clinical specimens such as blood, stool, pus, sputum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Using this DNA microarray, A. baumannii could be successfully detected in 11 out of 13 clinical specimens, thus giving the sensitivity of 84.6% with the specificity of 100% and the positive predictive value of 100%. P. aeruginosa could also be detected in 25 out of 26 clinical specimens, showing the sensitivity of 96.2%, the specificity of 100%, and the positive predictive value of 100%. These results suggest that two nosocomial pathogens, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, can be efficiently diagnosed by using the DNA microarray developed in this study.

Method for rapid identification and differentiation of the species of the Mycobacterium chelonae complex based on 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer PCR-restriction analysis

Members of the Mycobacterium chelonae complex (MCC), including M. immunogenum, M. chelonae, and M. abscessus, have been associated with nosocomial infections and occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to metalworking fluid (MWF) exposures. In order to minimize these health hazards, an effective and rapid assay for detection of MCC species and differentiation of MCC species from other species of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) and from one another is warranted. Here we report such a method, based on the variable 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Mycobacterium genus-specific primers derived from highly conserved sequences in the ITS region and the flanking 16S rRNA gene were used. Specificity of the primers was verified using the MCC member species, 11 non-MCC RGM species, 3 slow-growing mycobacterial (SGM) species (two strains each), and 19 field isolates, including 18 MCC isolates (from in-use MWF) and one non-MCC isolate (from reverse osmosis water). The ITS amplicon size of M. immunogenum varied from those of M. chelonae and M. abscessus. Sequencing of the approximately 250-bp-long ITS amplicons of the three MCC member species showed differences in 24 to 34 bases, thereby yielding variable deduced restriction maps. ITS PCR-restriction analysis using the in silico-selected restriction enzyme MaeII or HphI differentiated the three MCC members from one another and from other RGM and SGM species without sequencing. The enzyme MaeII discriminated all three member species; however, HphI could only differentiate M. immunogenum from M. chelonae and M. abscessus. Use of an optimized rapid DNA template preparation step based on direct cell lysis in the PCR tube added to the simplicity and adaptability of the developed assay.

Characterization of Paenibacillus popilliae rRNA operons

The terminal 39 nucleotides on the 3' end of the 16S rRNA gene, along with the complete DNA sequences of the 5S rRNA, 23S rRNA, tRNA(Ile), and tRNA(Ala) genes were determined for Paenibacillus popilliae using strains NRRL B-2309 and Dutky 1. Southern hybridization analysis with a 16S rDNA hybridization probe and restriction-digested genomic DNA demonstrated 8 copies of the 16S rRNA gene in P. popilliae strains KLN 3 and Dutky 1. Additionally, the 23S rRNA gene in P. popilliae strains NRRL B-2309, KLN 3, and Dutky 1 was shown by I-CeuI digestion and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA to occur as 8 copies. It was concluded that these 3 P. popilliae strains contained 8 rrn operons. The 8 operon copies were preferentially located on approximately one-half of the chromosome and were organized into 3 different patterns of genes, as follows: 16S-23S-5S, 16S-ala-23S-5S, and 16S-5S-ile-ala-23S-5S. This is the first report to identify a 5S rRNA gene between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes of a bacterial rrn operon. Comparative analysis of the nucleotides on the 3' end of the 16S rRNA gene suggests that translation of P. popilliae mRNA may occur in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.

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.

Inter- and intraspecies variations of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of various streptococcal species

The 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions (ISR) of different streptococcal species and subspecies were amplified with primers derived from the highly conserved flanking regions of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes. The single sized amplicons showed a uniform pattern for S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (serogroup C), S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (serogroup G), S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (serogroup L), S. canis, S. phocae, S. uberis, S. parauberis, S. pyogenes and S. equi subsp. equi, respectively. The amplicons of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, S. porcinus and S. suis appeared with 3, 5 and 3 different sizes, respectively. ISR of selected strains of each species or subspecies investigated were sequenced and multiple aligned. This allowed a separation of ISR into regions, with 7 regions for S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (serogroup C), S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (serogroup G), S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (serogroup L), S. canis, S. phocae, S. pyogenes and S. suis, 8 regions for S. uberis and S. parauberis and mostly 9 regions for S. equi subsp. equi, S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. porcinus. Region 4, encoding the transfer RNA for alanine (tRNA(Ala)), was present and identical for all isolates investigated. The size and sequence of ISR appears to be a unique marker for streptococci of various species and subspecies and could be used for bacterial identification. In addition the size and sequence variations of ISR of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, S. porcinus and S. suis allows a molecular typing of isolates of these species possibly useful in epidemiological aspects.

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.

Is the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region a good tool for use in molecular systematics and population genetics? A case study in cyanobacteria

We amplified, TA-cloned, and sequenced the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions from single isolates of several cyanobacterial species, Calothrix parietina, Scytonema hyalinum, Coelodesmium wrangelii, Tolypothrix distorta, and a putative new genus (isolates SRS6 and SRS70), to investigate the potential of this DNA sequence for phylogenetic and population genetic studies. All isolates carried ITS regions containing the sequences coding for two tRNA molecules (tRNA and tRNA). We retrieved additional sequences without tRNA features from both C. parietina and S. hyalinum. Furthermore, in S. hyalinum, we found two of these non-tRNA-encoding regions to be identical in length but different in sequence. This is the first report of ITS regions from a single cyanobacterial isolate not only different in configuration, but also, within one configuration, different in sequence. The potential of the ITS region as a tool for studying molecular systematics and population genetics is significant, but the presence of multiple nonidentical rRNA operons poses problems. Multiple nonidentical rRNA operons may impact both studies that depend on comparisons of phylogenetically homologous sequences and those that employ restriction enzyme digests of PCR products. We review current knowledge of the numbers and kinds of 16S-23S ITS regions present across bacterial groups and plastids, and we discuss broad patterns congruent with higher-level systematics of prokaryotes.

Strain-specific differentiation of environmental Escherichia coli isolates via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied to the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) as a means to evaluate strain level differences in Escherichia coli. The ISRs of 81 environmental E. coli isolates obtained from bovine, poultry, and human sources yielded a total of 41 unique DGGE banding patterns, with identical patterns and common bands within each source and no overlapping patterns among sources. An additional 51 isolates from two nearby streams yielded 45 unique banding patterns with no overlap between sites. However, two of the isolates from the streams had identical banding patterns to those from two of the source isolates, resulting in a total of 84 unique DGGE banding patterns out of 132 isolates identified in this study. These results revealed high diversity among environmental E. coli isolates, which made it difficult to unambiguously ascribe strains found in water samples to specific host organisms.

Screening of intestinal microflora for effective probiotic bacteria

Increasing consumer awareness of health-promoting intestinal bacteria has fueled the addition of viable probiotic bacteria as functional ingredients in certain foods. However, to effectively market the enhanced attributes of these foods, the added probiotic bacteria need to have scientific credibility. The scientific rationale for using many of the strains of probiotic bacteria currently on the market is weak. Furthering the current understanding of what features a bacterium needs to have for effective probiotic functionality will enable the selection of strains with a more credible scientific rationale. To screen for effective strains, one must understand the microbial diversity in the intestines of healthy individuals. The advent of molecular tools has greatly enhanced our ability to accomplish this. These tools comprise genetic fingerprinting, specific probes, molecular speciation, and techniques for the in situ analysis of specific microbial groups in the intestine. This review will detail these scientific approaches and how their impact will improve criteria for selection of probiotic bacteria.

Typing of clinical and environmental Aeromonas veronii strains based on the 16S-23S rDNA spacers

Genetic relationships of Aeromonas veronii strains isolated from human and environmental sources were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified intergenic spacer region (ISR) flanked by the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. When using endonucleases AluI, HinfI and CfoI the 16S-23S rDNA-RFLP patterns showed considerable overall similarity, although most strains yielded specific profiles. Several intra-specific lines of descent comprised clinical strains linked to isolates from environmental sources. Strains having identical patterns may be individuals derived from highly similar, if not the same, microorganism. Results suggest that the ISR sequence-based method can be used to demonstrate colonization of a public water supply with a particular microorganism. In addition it could be very useful for tracing recurrent episodes of diarrhea and Aeromonas infection outbreaks.

Antibiotic resistance in the ECOR collection: integrons and identification of a novel aad gene

The 72 Escherichia coli strains of the ECOR collection were examined for resistance to 10 different antimicrobial agents including ampicillin, tetracycline, mercury, trimethoprim, and sulfonamides. Eighteen strains were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested, and nearly 20% (14 of 72) were resistant to two or more. Several of the resistance determinants were shown to be carried on conjugative elements. The collection was screened for the presence of the three classes of integrons and for the sul1 gene, which is generally associated with class 1 integrons. The four strains found to carry a class 1 integron also had Tn21-encoded mercury resistance. One of the integrons encoded a novel streptomycin resistance gene, aadA7, with an attC site (or 59-base element) nearly identical to the attC site associated with the qacF gene cassette found in In40 (M.-C. Ploy, P. Courvalin, and T. Lambert, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 42:2557-2563, 1998). The conservation of associated attC sites among unrelated resistance cassettes is similar to arrangements found in the Vibrio cholerae superintegrons (D. Mazel, B. Dychinco, V. A. Webb, and J. Davies, Science 280:605-608, 1998) and supports the hypothesis that resistance cassettes are picked up from superintegron pools and independently assembled from unrelated genes and related attC sites.

Growth phase-coupled changes of the ribosome profile in natural isolates and laboratory strains of Escherichia coli

The growth phase-dependent change in sucrose density gradient centrifugation patterns of ribosomes was analyzed for both laboratory strains of Escherichia coli and natural isolates from the ECOR collection. All of the natural isolates examined formed 100S ribosome dimers in the stationary phase, and ribosome modulation factor (RMF) was associated with the ribosome dimers in the ECOR strains as in the laboratory strain W3110. The ribosome profile (70S monomers versus 100S dimers) follows a defined pattern over time during lengthy culture in both the laboratory strains and natural isolates. There are four discrete stages: (i) formation of 100S dimers in the early stationary phase; (ii) transient decrease in the dimer level; (iii) return of dimers to the maximum level; and (iv) dissociation of 100S dimers into 70S ribosomes, which are quickly degraded into subassemblies. The total time for this cycle of ribosome profile change, however, varied from strain to strain, resulting in apparent differences in the ribosome profiles when observed at a fixed time point. A correlation was noted in all strains between the decay of 100S ribosomes and the subsequent loss of cell viability. Two types of E. coli mutants defective in ribosome dimerization were identified, both of which were unable to survive for a prolonged period in stationary phase. The W3110 mutant, with a disrupted rmf gene, has a defect in ribosome dimerization because of lack of RMF, while strain Q13 is unable to form ribosome dimers due to a ribosomal defect in binding RMF.

Automated approach for ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis of microbial diversity and its application to freshwater bacterial communities

An automated method of ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) was developed for the rapid estimation of microbial diversity and community composition in freshwater environments. Following isolation of total community DNA, PCR amplification of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region in the rRNA operon was performed with a fluorescence-labeled forward primer. ARISA-PCR fragments ranging in size from 400 to 1,200 bp were next discriminated and measured by using an automated electrophoresis system. Database information on the 16S-23S intergenic spacer was also examined, to understand the potential biases in diversity estimates provided by ARISA. In the analysis of three natural freshwater bacterial communities, ARISA was rapid and sensitive and provided highly reproducible community-specific profiles at all levels of replication tested. The ARISA profiles of the freshwater communities were quantitatively compared in terms of both their relative diversity and similarity level. The three communities had distinctly different profiles but were similar in their total number of fragments (range, 34 to 41). In addition, the pattern of major amplification products in representative profiles was not significantly altered when the PCR cycle number was reduced from 30 to 15, but the number of minor products (near the limit of detection) was sensitive to changes in cycling parameters. Overall, the results suggest that ARISA is a rapid and effective community analysis technique that can be used in conjunction with more accurate but labor-intensive methods (e.g., 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing) when fine-scale spatial and temporal resolution is needed.

Use of the 16S--23S ribosomal genes spacer region in studies of prokaryotic diversity

The description of microbial diversity by molecular culture-independent techniques most often involves the amplification of the 16S rRNA by PCR gene and either analysis of the diversity of amplified molecules (community fingerprinting) that allows the simultaneous study of many samples or the cloning and sequencing of a significant amount of amplification products. The fact that between the 16S and the 23S genes in the ribosomal operon there is a spacer extremely variable in both sequence and length provides an excellent tool to simplify both approaches. The spacer can be amplified almost as easily as the 16S rDNA taking advantage of conserved nucleotide stretches at the 5' end of the 23S gene and the amplicon can contain different amounts of the 16S rDNA choosing primers at the different conserved areas within this gene. Identified by the acronym RISA (rDNA internal spacer analysis), the spacer addition provides a marker of highly variable size allowing standard separation of the amplification products and the sequence of this hypervariable region is useful in the fine discrimination of operational taxonomic units.

Intraspecific diversity of the 23S rRNA gene and the spacer region downstream in Escherichia coli

The molecular microevolution of the 23S rRNA gene (rrl) plus the spacer downstream has been studied by sequencing of different operons from some representative strains of the Escherichia coli ECOR collection. The rrl gene was fully sequenced in six strains showing a total of 67 polymorphic sites, a level of variation per nucleotide similar to that found for the 16S rRNA gene (rrs) in a previous study. The size of the gene was highly conserved (2902 to 2905 nucleotides). Most polymorphic sites were clustered in five secondary-structure helices. Those regions in a large number of operons were sequenced, and several variations were found. Sequences of the same helix from two different strains were often widely divergent, and no intermediate forms existed. Intercistronic variability was detected, although it seemed to be lower than for the rrs gene. The presence of two characteristic sequences was determined by PCR analysis throughout all of the strains of the ECOR collection, and some correlations with the multilocus enzyme electrophoresis clusters were detected. The mode of variation of the rrl gene seems to be quite similar to that of the rrs gene. Homogenization of the gene families and transfer of sequences from different clonal lines could explain this pattern of variation detected; perhaps these factors are more relevant to evolution than single mutation. The spacer region between the 23S and 5S rRNA genes exhibited a highly polymorphic region, particularly at the 3' end.

Geographic distribution and genetic diversity of Ceanothus-infective Frankia strains

Little is known about Ceanothus-infective Frankia strains because no Frankia strains that can reinfect the host plants have been isolated from Ceonothus spp. Therefore, we studied the diversity of the Ceonothus-infective Frankia strains by using molecular techniques. Frankia strains inhabiting root nodules of nine Ceanothus species were characterized. The Ceanothus species used represent the taxonomic diversity and geographic range of the genus; therefore, the breadth of the diversity of Frankia strains that infect Ceanothus spp. was studied. DNA was amplified directly from nodular material by using the PCR. The amplified region included the 3' end of the 16S rRNA gene, the intergenic spacer, and a large portion of the 23S rRNA gene. A series of restriction enzyme digestions of the PCR product allowed us to identify PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) groups among the Ceanothus-infective Frankia strains tested. Twelve different enzymes were used, which resulted in four different PCR-RFLP groups. The groups did not follow the taxonomic lines of the Ceanothus host species. Instead, the Frankia strains present were related to the sample collection locales.