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Genetic relationship in the ‘ Bacillus cereus group’ by rep‐PCR fingerprinting and sequencing of a Bacillus anthracis ‐specific rep‐PCR fragment
Author(s) -
Cherif A.,
Brusetti L.,
Borin S.,
Rizzi A.,
Boudabous A.,
KhyamiHorani H.,
Daffonchio D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2003.01945.x
Subject(s) - cereus , bacillus anthracis , bacillus cereus , biology , bacillus thuringiensis , genetics , dna profiling , primer (cosmetics) , genetic relationship , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillaceae , genetic diversity , bacteria , dna , chemistry , population , demography , organic chemistry , sociology , bacillus subtilis
Abstract Aims: To evaluate the genetic relationship in the Bacillus cereus group by rep‐PCR fingerprinting. Methods and Results: A collection of 112 strains of the six species of the B. cereus group was analysed by rep‐PCR fingerprinting using the BOX‐A1R primer. A relative genetic distinctness was found among the species. Cluster analysis of the rep‐PCR patterns showed clusters of B. thuringiensis strains quite separate from those of B. cereus strains. The B. anthracis strains represented an independent lineage in a B. cereus cluster. The B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides and B. weihenstephanensis strains were clustered into three groups at some distance from the other species. Comparison of sequences of AC‐390, a typical B. anthracis rep‐PCR fragment, from 27 strains of B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis and B. weihenstephanensis, representative of different clusters identified by rep‐PCR fingerprinting, confirmed that B. anthracis diverges from its related species. Conclusions: The genetic relationship deduced from the rep‐PCR patterns indicates a relatively clear separation of the six species, suggesting that they can indeed be considered as separate units. Significance and Impact of the Study: rep‐PCR fingerprinting can make a contribution in the clarification of the genetic relationships between the species of the B. cereus group.