Development of a highly specific diagnostic 23S rDNA oligonucleotide probe for Mycobacterium leprae.
A 21-mer DNA oligonucleotide probe targeting the 23S rRNA of Mycobacterium leprae was developed and its high specificity demonstrated by dot-blot hybridization. Even under relaxed hybridization and washing conditions (20 degrees C below Tm) the probe was highly selective in that positive signals were only detected with M. leprae, about half of the slow-growing and one of the fast-growing reference mycobacteria and Gordona bronchialis. At more stringent washing temperatures (6 degrees C below Tm) only the rRNA of Mycobacterium leprae was detectable.
Liesack
W
W
Institut für Allgemeine Mikrobiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, FRG.
Pitulle
C
C
Stackebrandt
E
E
D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D009876:Operon; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature
D015342:DNA Probes; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S