Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #87459
Title: GENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS W23 AND 168

Author
item Nakamura, Lawrence
item ROBERTS, M - WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
item COHAN, F - WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Previously, limited phylogenetic studies based on inferred DNA sequences of polC, rpoB, and gyrA genes suggested that Bacillus subtilis is a composite of two closely related taxa. The possibility of genetic heterogeneity was evaluated by studying 27 newly isolated strains from desert soils. Significant sexual isolation values (as related to Bacillus subtilis 168 [NRRL B-14819]) were noted for 17 (group 1) of 27 strains; this group included B. subtilis W23 (NRRL B-14820). The remaining ten strains (group 2) were compatible with strain 168. In a phylogenetic tree based on inferred DNA sequences of the three genes measurements, the two groups separated into two distinct clusters. DNA reassociation values between the two groups ranged from 55 to 70%. Intragroup DNA relatedness ranged from 75 to 100%; group 2 strains were highly related to the B. subtilis type strain. Interestingly, about 99.5% similarity was observed between the 16S gene sequences of the group 1, group 2 and B. subtilis type strain. These observations revealed two closely related but genetically distinct groups within Bacillus subtilis; these correspond to two historically important strains, namely, W23 and 168.