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Spontaneous changes in the reading frame of translation are rare (frequency of [10.sup.-3] to [10.sup.-4] per codon) (1), but can be induced by specific features in the messenger RNA (mRNA). In the presence of mRNA secondary structures, a heptanucleotide 'slippery sequence' usually defined by the motif X XXY YYZ, and (in some prokaryotic cases) mRNA sequences that base pair with the 3' end of the 16S ribosomal rRNA (internal Shine-Dalgarno sequences), there is an increased probability that a specific programmed change of frame occurs, wherein the ribosome shifts one nucleotide backwards into an overlapping reading frame (-1 frame) and continues by translating a new sequence of amino acids (2,3). Despite extensive biochemical and genetic studies, there is no clear mechanistic description for frameshifting. Here we apply single-molecule fluorescence to track the compositional and conformational dynamics of individual ribosomes at each codon during translation of a frameshift-inducing mRNA from the dnaX gene in Escherichia coli. Ribosomes that frameshift into the -1 frame are characterized by a tenfold longer pause in elongation compared to non-frameshifted ribosomes, which translate through unperturbed. During the pause, interactions of the ribosome with the mRNA stimulatory elements uncouple EF-G catalysed translocation from normal ribosomal subunit reverse-rotation, leaving the ribosome in a non-canonical intersubunit rotated state with an exposed codon in the aminoacyl-tRNA site (A site). [tRNA.sup.Lys] sampling and accommodation to the empty A site and EF-G action either leads to the slippage of the tRNAs into the -1 frame or maintains the ribosome into the 0 frame. Our results provide a general mechanistic and conformational framework for -1 frameshifting, highlighting multiple kinetic branchpoints during elongation., Despite detailed biochemical and genetic studies, the mechanism of -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) remains poorly understood, with at least three groups of models attempting to explain frameshifting (2,4- 11). [...]

Chlamydia trachomatis is spread by close social contact or sexual activity. Worldwide, C. trachomatis is the leading preventable cause of blindness and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Various typing techniques [...]

Sequencing 16S rRNA genes (SSU) cloned from Aeromonas strains revealed that strains contained up to six copies differing by [less than or equal to] 1.5%. The SSU copies from Aeromonas veronii LMG13695 clustered with sequences from four Aeromonas species. These results demonstrate intragenomic heterogeneity of SSU and suggest caution when using SSU to identify aeromonads.

The ranks higher than the species in the prokaryotic taxonomy are primarily designated based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, but no definite standards exist for the absolute relatedness (measured by 16S rRNA or other means) between the ranks. Accordingly, it remains unknown how comparable the ranks are between different organisms. To gain insights into this question, we studied the relationship between shared gene content and genetic relatedness for 175 fully sequenced strains, using as a robust measure of relatedness the average amino acid identity (AAI) of the shared genes. Our results reveal that adjacent ranks (e.g., phylum versus class) frequently show extensive overlap in terms of genetic and gene content relatedness of the grouped organisms, and hence, the current system is of limited predictive power in this respect. The overlap between nonadjacent ranks (e.g., phylum versus family) is generally limited and attributable to clear inconsistencies of the taxonomy. In addition to providing means for standardizing taxonomy, our AAI-based approach provides a means to evaluate the robustness of alternative genetic markers for phylogenetic purposes. For instance, the 23S rRNA gene was found to be as good a marker as the 16S rRNA gene, while several of the widely distributed protein-coding genes, such as the RNA polymerase and gyrase subunits, show a strong phylogenetic signal, albeit less strong than the rRNA genes (0.78 > [R.sup.2] > 0.69 for the protein-coding genes versus [R.sup.2] = 0.84 for the rRNA genes). The AAI approach outlined here could contribute significantly to a genome-based taxonomy for all microbial organisms.

Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences has become the primary method for determining prokaryotic phylogeny. Phylogeny is currently the basis for prokaryotic systematics. Therefore, the validity of 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analyses is of fundamental importance for prokaryotic systematics. Discrepancies between 16S rRNA gene analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotypic analyses have been noted in the genus Helicobacter. To clarify these discrepancies, we sequenced the 23S rRNA genes for 55 helicobacter strains representing 41 taxa (>2,700 bases per sequence). Phylogenetic-tree construction using neighbor-joining, parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods for 23S rRNA gene sequence data yielded stable trees which were consistent with other phenotypic and genotypic methods. The 16S rRNA gene sequence-derived trees were discordant with the 23S rRNA gene trees and other data. Discrepant 16S rRNA gene sequence data for the helicobacters are consistent with the horizontal transfer of 16S rRNA gene fragments and the creation of mosaic molecules with loss of phylogenetic information. These results suggest that taxonomic decisions must be supported by other phylogenetically informative macromolecules, such as the 23S rRNA gene, when 16S rRNA gene-derived phylogeny is discordant with other credible phenotypic and genotypic methods. This study found Wolinella succinogenes to branch with the unsheathed-flagellum cluster of helicobacters by 23S rRNA gene analyses and whole-genome comparisons. This study also found intervening sequences (IVSs) in the 23S rRNA genes of strains of 12 Helicobacter species. IVSs were found in helices 10, 25, and 45, as well as between helices 31' and 27'. Simultaneous insertion of IVSs at three sites was found in H. mesocricetorum.

The 23S rRNA methyltransferase RrmJ (FtsJ) is responsible for the 2'-O methylation of the universally conserved U2552 in the A loop of 23S rRNA. This 23S rRNA modification appears to be critical for ribosome stability, because the absence of functional RrmJ causes the cellular accumulation of the individual ribosomal subunits at the expense of the functional 70S ribosomes. To gain insight into the mechanism of substrate recognition for RrmJ, we performed extensive site-directed mutagenesis of the residues conserved in RrmJ and characterized the mutant proteins both in vivo and in vitro. We identified a positively charged, highly conserved ridge in RrmJ that appears to play a significant role in 23S rRNA binding and methylation. We provide a structural model of how the A loop of the 23S rRNA binds to RrmJ. Based on these modeling studies and the structure of the 50S ribosome, we propose a two-step model where the A loop undocks from the tightly packed 50S ribosomal subunit, allowing RrmJ to gain access to the substrate nucleotide U2552, and where U2552 undergoes base flipping, allowing the enzyme to methylate the 2'-O position of the ribose.

The nature in variation of the 16S rRNA gene of members of the Streptococcus anginosus group was investigated by hybridization and DNA sequencing. A collection of 708 strains was analyzed by reverse line blot hybridization. This revealed the presence of distinct reaction patterns representing 11 different hybridization groups. The 16S rRNA genes of two strains of each hybridization group were sequenced to near-completion, and the sequence data confirmed the reverse line blot hybridization results. Closer inspection of the sequences revealed mosaic-like structures, strongly suggesting horizontal transfer of segments of the 16S rRNA gene between different species belonging to the Streptococcus anginosus group. Southern blot hybridization further showed that within a single strain all copies of the 16S rRNA gene had the same composition, indicating that the apparent mosaic structures were not PCR-induced artifacts. These findings indicate that the highly conserved rRNA genes are also subject to recombination and that these events may be fixed in the population. Such recombination may lead to the construction of incorrect phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA genes.

Plasmid analysis of isolates from a small Paracoccus population revealed that all 15 representatives carried at least one endogenous plasmid of 23 or 15 kb in size, in addition to further plasmids of different sizes. It was shown by restriction analysis and hybridization that the 23 and 15 kb plasmids from the different isolates were identical or very similar to each other. By partial sequencing of pOL18/23, one of the 23 kb plasmids, a complete rrn operon with the structural genes for 16S, 23S and 5S rRNA, two genes for [tRNA.sub.Ile] and [tRNA.sub.Ala] within the spacer between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, and a final [tRNA.sub.fMet] at the end of the operon were discovered. Expression of a green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) after insertion of a DNA fragment from the region upstream of the rRNA genes into a promoter-probe vector demonstrated that the rrn promoter region is functional. The rrn operon encoded by plasmid pOL18/23 is the first complete rrn operon sequenced from a strain of the genus Paracoccus, and only the second example of an rrn operon on a small plasmid.

The availability of an ever increasing number of complete genome sequences of diverse prokaryotic taxa has led to the introduction of novel approaches to infer phylogenetic relationships among bacteria. In the present study the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and nine housekeeping genes were compared with the fraction of shared putative orthologous protein-encoding genes, conservation of gene order, dinucteotide relative abundance and codon usage among 11 genomes of species belonging to the lactic acid bacteria. In general there is a good correlation between the results obtained with various approaches, although it is clear that there is a stronger phylogenetic signal in some datasets than in others, and that different parameters have different taxonomic resolutions. It appears that trees based on different kinds of information derived from whole-genome sequencing projects do not provide much additional information about the phylogenetic relationships among bacterial taxa compared to more traditional alignment-based methods. Nevertheless, it is expected that the study of these novel forms of information will have its value in taxonomy, to determine which genes are shared, when genes or sets of genes were lost in evolutionary history, to detect the presence of horizontally transferred genes and/or confirm or enhance the phylogenetic signal derived from traditional methods. Although these conclusions are based on a relatively small dataset, they are largely in agreement with other studies and it is anticipated that similar trends will be observed when comparing other genomes.

To examine the flexibility of rRNA operons with respect to fundamental organization, transcription, processing, and assembly of ribosomes, operon variations were introduced by a plasmid into an Escherichia coli strain that has deletions of all chromosomal copies of rRNA genes. In the reconstructed operons, a Salmonella intervening sequence (IVS) from 23S helix 45 was introduced into the E. coli 23S gene at the same position. Three different constructs of the E. coli 16S gene were then placed wholly within the IVS sequence, and the 16S gene was deleted from its normal position. The resulting plasmids thus had the normal operon promoters and the leader region followed by the 5' one-third of the 23S gene, the entire 16S gene within the IVS, the last two-thirds of the 23S gene, and the normal end of the operon. The three constructs differed in the amount of 16S leader and spacer regions they contained. Only two of the three constructs, those with redundant leader and spacer antiterminator signals, resulted in viable cultures of the rrn deletion strain. Electron micrographs of the variant operon suggest that the 23S rRNA is made in two separate parts which then must form subassemblies before assembling into a functional 50S subunit. Cells containing only the reshuffled genes were debilitated in their growth properties and ribosome contents. The fact that such out of the ordinary manipulation of rRNA sequences in E. coli is possible paves the way for detailed analysis of ribosome assembly and evolution.

The detection of specific DNA sequences using electrochemical readout would permit the rapid and inexpensive detection and identification of bacterial pathogens. A new assay developed for this purpose is described that harnesses a sensitive electrocatalytic process to monitor DNA hybridization. Two sequences belonging to the pathogenic microbe Helicobacter pylori are used to demonstrate the versatility and specificity of the assay: one that codes for an unique H. pylori protein and one that represents a small portion of the 23S rRNA from this organism. Both sequences can be monitored into the nanomolar concentration range. Target sequences introduced to the electrode surface as synthetic oligonucleutides, PCR products, and RNA transcripts are all detected with highly spesificity. In addition to reporting the presence of pathogen-related sequences, this assay can accurately resolve single-base changes in target sequences. An A2143C substitution within the H. pylori rRNA that confers antibiotic resistance significantly attenuates hybridization to an immobilized probe corresponding to the WT sequence. The single-base mismatch introduced by this mutation slows the kinetics of hybridization and permits discrimination of the two sequences when short hybridization times are employed. The remarkable sensitivity of this label-free assay to small sequence changes may provide the basis of a new method for the detection and genotyping of infectious bacteria using electrochemical methods.

The non-LTR retrotransposons R1 and R2 insert into the 28S rRNA genes of arthropods. Comparisons among Drosophila lineages have shown that these elements are vertically inherited, while studies within species have indicated a rapid turnover of individual copies (elimination of old copies and the insertion of new copies). To better understand the turnover of R1 and R2, 200 retrotranspositions and nearly 100 eliminations have been scored in the Harwich mutation-accumulation lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Because the rDNA arrays in D. melanogaster are present on the X and Y chromosomes and no exchanges were detected in these lines, it was possible to show that R1 retrotranspositions occur predominantly in the male germ line, while R2 retrotranspositions were more evenly divided between the germ lines of both sexes. The rate of elimination of elements from the Y rDNA array was twice that of the X rDNA array with both chromosomal loci containing regions where the rate of elimination was on average eight times higher. Most R1 and R2 eliminations appear to occur by large intrachromosomal events (i.e., loop-out events) that involve multiple rDNA units. These findings are interpreted in light of the known abundance of R1 and R2 elements in the X and Y rDNA loci of D. melanogaster.

Previous work identified swoC1 as a single-gene mutant with defects in polarity establishment. In this study swoC1 was shown to have defects in endocytosis, compartmentation, nuclear distribution, and conidiation. Temperature-shift experiments showed that the swoC1 mutant establishes multiple random sites of germ tube emergence. Surprisingly, these experiments also showed that even a slight delay in polarity establishment causes defects in later vegetative growth and asexual reproduction. The swoC gene was mapped to the centromere of chromosome III and cloned by complementation of the temperature-sensitive phenotype. The predicted SwoCp is homologous to rRNA pseudouridine synthases of yeast (Cbf5p) and humans (Dkc1p). However, neither rRNA pseudouridine synthesis nor rRNA processing appears to be affected in the swoC1 mutant. The swoC1 mutation occurs in the putative RNA-binding domain upstream of the C terminus, leaving the N-terminal TRUB catalytic domain intact. Interestingly, while deletion of the swoC gene was lethal in A. nidulans, the C terminus, including NLS, microtubule-binding, and coiled-coil domains, was dispensable for growth. SwoCp likely plays an important role in polar growth and nuclear distribution in A. nidulans, functions not yet described for its homologs.

Genetic relatedness of phytoplasmas is commonly defined on the basis of differences in the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene, which may not resolve closely related phytoplasmas. An example of this is the closely related tomato big bud (TBB) and sweet potato little leaf strain V4 (SPLL-V4) phytoplasmas, which cannot easily be differentiated by their 16S rRNA gene sequences. This study aimed to identify genes on the TBB phytoplasma chromosome which could be used to examine genetic variation between these two closely related phytoplasmas. Random clones generated from TBB phytoplasma genomic DNA were sequenced and characterized by database analysis. Twenty-three genes were identified within 19 random clones, which contained approximately 18.0 kbp of TBB phytoplasma genomic DNA. Half of the TBB phytoplasma genes identified were involved in DNA replication, transcription and translation. The remaining TBB phytoplasma genes were involved in protein secretion, cellular processes and energy metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis of representative genes showed that the TBB phytoplasma grouped with the mycoplasmas with the exception of the TBB phytoplasma secaA gene, which grouped with the onion yellows phytoplasma. PCR primers were designed based on the new genes and tested on isolates of the TBB and SPLL-V4 phytoplasmas. Most primers amplified a product from TBB and SPLL-V4 phytoplasma samples. When amplified products were subjected to RFLP analysis, the restriction patterns were the same as the respective original clones. This result confirmed that the same sequence had been amplified by PCR and showed that these isolates were indistinguishable using the new genes. This study showed that in fact the TBB and SPLL-V4 phytoplasmas are closely related even with the analysis of new genes. These new genes have, however, provided insight into the biology of the TBB and SPLL-V4 phytoplasmas.

Here, a rapid and reliable two-step multiplex POR assay for identifying 14 Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) species originally classified in the genus Peptostreptococcus (Anaerococcus hydrogenalis, Anaerococcus lactolyticus, Anaerococcus octavius, Anaerococcus prevotii, Anaerococcus tetradius, Anaerococcus vaginalis, Finegoldia magna, Micromonas micros, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus, Peptoniphilus harei, Peptoniphilus indolicus, Peptoniphilus ivorii and Peptoniphilus lacrimalis) is reported. Fourteen type strains representing 14 GPAC species were first identified to the genus level by multiplex PCR (multiplex PCR-G). Since three of these genera (Finegoldia, Micromonas and Peptostreptococcus) contain only a single species, F. magna, M. micros and P. anaerobius, respectively, these organisms were identified to the species level directly by using the multiplex PCR-G. Then six species of the genus Anaerococcus (A. hydrogenalis, A. lactolyticus, A. octavius, A. prevotii, A. vaginalis and A. tetradius) were further identified to the species level using multiplex PCR assays (multiplex PCR-la and multiplex PCR-Ib). Similarly, five species of the genus Peptoniphilus (Pn. asaccharolyticus, Pn. harei, Pn. indolicus, Pn. ivorii and Pn. lacrimalis) were identified to the species level using multiplex PCR-Ila and multiplex POR-IIb. The established two-step multiplex PCR identification scheme was applied to the identification of 190 clinical isolates of GPAC species that had been identified previously to the species level by 16S rRNA sequencing and phenotypic tests. The identification obtained from multiplex PCR assays showed 100 % agreement with 16S rDNA sequencing identification, but only 65 % (123/190) agreement with the identification obtained by phenotypic tests. The multiplex PCR scheme established in this study is a simple, rapid and reliable method for the identification of GPAC species. It will permit a more accurate assessment of the role of various GPAC species in infection and of the degree of antimicrobial resistance in each of the group members.

INTRODUCTION In rapidly growing bacteria, the synthesis of ribosomes accounts for the cell's single largest expenditure of biosynthetic energy. Under these conditions, the cell contains about 70,000 ribosomes, each of [...]

A sensitive and specific real-time PCR assay capable of identifying Legionella pneumophila and simultaneously differentiating it from other non-L. pneumophila species by melting curve analysis is established by employing fluorescent resonance energy transfer probes targeting the 16S rRNA gene. A procedure for identification of non-L. pneumophila spp. based on mip sequencing is also presented.

Research has been conducted on nonmarine picocyanobacteria. The authors have sequenced Synechococcus and Cyanobium isolates for their 16S rRNA gene and phycocyanin operon, and they report the existence of the clusters of nonmarine picocyanobacteria within the picoplankton clade.

Research has been conducted on rRNA. The authors describe the application of DNA and peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons for detection and quantification of rRNA in whole cells and in solution, and demonstate the use of peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons in quantitative FISH for rRNA degradation investigation.

Research has been conducted on eukaryotes. The authors describe the application of the 18S rRNA approach to the anoxic evironment of Cariaco Basin (Caribbean Sea), and report the discovery of the protistan lineages which may retain traits of the early eukaryotic ancestors.

Research has been conducted on protist endosymbionts from the acid mine drainage. The authors have investigated these endosymbionts via the use of culture-independent approaches.

The authors have investigated bacterial communities from filamentous microbial mats from sulfidic cave springs. They have identified distinct epsilonproteobacterial filament groups within the microbial mats in the cave via the use of the full-cycle rRNA approach including quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Research has been conducted on common airborne fungi. The authors have developed oligonucleotide probes used for detection of these fungi at the genus and species level.

The authors have investigated intergenic transcribed spacers between the 16S and 23S rRNA genetic loci used in PCR fingerprinting for bacterial strain discimination. The polymorphisms' molecular nature in intergenic transcribed spacer-PCR fingerprinting of low+G+C-content spore-forming Bacillus bacteria has been studied, and the results have demonstrated that homoduplex fragments amplified by PCR form both polymorphisms and heteroduplex products.

Research has been conducted on Roseobacter clade strains from different marine habitats. The diversity of these strains has been investigated via the use of 16S rRNA gene as a phylogenetic marker in the effort to correlate phylogeny with ecology, and the results are discussed.

The authors have investigated the source-specific Escherichia coli fingerprints as genotypic markers for raw sewage, cows, dogs, gulls and horses. They have evaluated E. coli isolates as tools for identification nonpoint fecal sources via the use of repetitive-PCR and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region PCR analyses.

Research has been conducted on Escherichia coli 16S rRNA. The authors have compared the in situ accessibility of this rRNA for Cy3-labeled oligonucleotide probes with the 30S ribosomal subunit's 3D-structure model, and describe the effect of fixation methods and hybridization procedures on 16S rRNA in situ accessibility fo E. coli.

Research has been conducted on DNA restriction endonucleases. The authors have evaluated these endonucleases for the use in terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and report that this evaluation has been carried out via the use of richness and density indices and computer simulations for bacterial small-subunit rRNA gene sequencing.

Research has been conducted on Cyclospora and Eimeria species. The authors describe the nested-PCR protocol and MAMA PCR concepts applied for detection of these species, and report the development of the multiplex PCR assay for the differentiation between Cyclospora and Eimeria species.

Research has been conducted on beta-subgroup of Proteobacteria. The authors describe the study of this subgroup in biofilms of polluted rivers via the use of molecular 16S rRNA techniques.

Research has been conducted on rotating biological contactor biomass. The authors have investigated microbial and physiological characteristics of this biomass developed from different kinds of biocatalyst after operation on a synthetic wastewater devoid of organic carbon.

Research has been conducted on biofilms discovered in dental unit water systems. The authors describe different methods used in investigating microbial diversity of these biofilms.

Research has been conducted on relatioship between the antibiotic resistance analysis libraries and their representativeness. The authors describe the efforts to determine whether the libraries from different watersheds can be merged to create multiwatershed libraries which are temporally stable and georgaphically representative.