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Ribosomal RNA gene (rrn) organization in enterococci
L A Sechi1, F M Zuccon, J E Mortensen
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140.
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|July 15, 1994
Summary
Researchers analyzed Enterococcus hirae ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons using DNA probes. They found conserved ApaI sites and estimated five to six rrn operons in enterococci, aiding bacterial genetics research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Enterococci are important bacteria with complex ribosomal RNA (rrn) operon structures.
- Understanding rrn operon organization is crucial for bacterial genetics and taxonomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the organization and conservation of rrn operons in Enterococcus species.
- To estimate the copy number of rrn operons in enterococci.
Main Methods:
- A 1.8-kb DNA probe containing 3' 16S and 5' 23S ribosomal RNA genes from Enterococcus hirae was utilized.
- Analysis of various endonuclease digests of enterococcal DNA was performed.
- Southern blot hybridization was employed using the ApaI rrn probe.
Main Results:
- Remarkable conservation of ApaI restriction sites within the rrn operons of tested ATCC Enterococcus strains was observed.
- Partial conservation of EcoRI restriction sites was noted.
- The number of rrn operons in enterococci was estimated to be between five and six.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant conservation of specific restriction sites (ApaI) in enterococcal rrn operons.
- The findings provide an estimate for the number of rrn operons in enterococci, contributing to genomic understanding.
- This research offers a basis for further molecular typing and comparative genomic studies of enterococci.