Open AccessA phylogenetic analysis of the genus Leuconostoc based on reverse transcriptase sequencing of 16 S rRNA
Author(s) -
MartinezMurcia A.J.,
Collins M.D.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb03780.x
Subject(s) - biology , leuconostoc mesenteroides , leuconostoc , phylogenetic tree , ribosomal rna , 16s ribosomal rna , phylogenetics , bacteria , homology (biology) , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , lactic acid , amino acid , gene
The phylogenetic interrelatioships of members of the genus Leuconostoc and some heterofermentative lactobacili, which phenotypically resemble leuconostocs, were investigated by comparative analysis of their 16 S rRNA sequences. The six species, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leu. carnosum , Leu. citreum, Leu. gelidum, Leu. lactis and Leu. pseudomesenteroides exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity with each other and formed a phylogenetically coherent group, quite separate from all other lactic acid bacteria investigated. The species Leu. paramesenteroides was found to be phylogenetically distinct from the Leu. mesenteroides group of species and formed a natural grouping with the heterofermentative lactobacili, Lb. confusus, Lb. kandleri, Lb. minor and Lb. viridescens . The rRNA sequence of the acidophilic species, Leu. oenos , displayed exceptionally low levels of homology with all of the other taxa examined. The 16 S sequence of Leu. oenos showed major nucleotide differences in relatively highly conserved positions of the molecule indicating this species is phylogenetically distinct and warrants a separate genus.