Phylogenetic analysis of Streptomyces spp. isolated from potato scab lesions in Korea on the basis of 16S rRNA gene and 16S–23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer sequences

The 16S rRNA gene sequences for 34 strains, including 11 isolates, were determined to classify scab-causing Streptomyces spp. and relatives isolated from potato scab lesions collected in Jeju, Korea. The 16S-23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were determined to investigate whether the 16S-23S ITS region is useful for analysing intra- and interspecific relationships in these bacteria. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, most of the isolates were classified as Streptomyces scabiei and Streptomyces acidiscabies. Isolate KJO61 was placed in an ambiguous taxonomic position between Streptomyces reticuliscabiei and Streptomyces turgidiscabies. 16S-23S ITS region sequence analysis showed that tRNA genes were not found in this region of Streptomyces spp. The 16S-23S ITS regions of Streptomyces spp. exhibited various lengths and highly variable sequence similarities (35-100%) within strains as well as intra- and interspecies. It was revealed that Streptomyces europaeiscabiei could be clearly differentiated from Streptomyces scabiei. However, it was clarified that ITS regions are not useful in phylogenetic analysis of Streptomyces spp.