title: Restriction fragment length polymorphism of rRNA operons for discrimination and intergenic spacer sequences for cataloging of Bacillus subtilis sub-groups.
abstract: Restriction fragment length polymorphism of rRNA operons (RFLP) and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic region (ISR) sequences of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis, B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii, and B. atrophaeus were compared. ISR sequences of the B. subtilis subspecies were extremely similar (W23 versus 168 rrn H, J, G,W; 96.8%; rrn D, E; 98.4%; rrnB; 97.9%) and, therefore, not useful for their differentiation. However, RFLP of rRNA operons of the B. subtilis subspecies were distinct in terms of numbers and organization within the genome (e.g. the 168 sub-group generally contained 8.3- and 8.0-kb fragments absent in the W23 sub-group). The more distantly related B. atrophaeus was distinct from both B. subtilis subspecies in terms of ISR sequence and rRNA operon number and organization. RFLP of rRNA operons discriminates the two sub-groups of Bacillus subtilis that are indistinguishable by ISR sequence. However, ISR sequence defines the relatedness of B. subtilis to other species (e.g. B. atrophaeus) within the genus Bacillus.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors: Yevette J
authors: YJ
authors: Shaver
authors: Madan L
authors: ML
authors: Nagpal
authors: Rivka
authors: R
authors: Rudner
authors: L K
authors: LK
authors: Nakamura
authors: Karen F
authors: KF
authors: Fox
authors: Alvin
authors: A
authors: Fox
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000032:analysis*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics; D021521:Ribotyping; D012407:rRNA Operon / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S