A broad-host-range, generalized transducing phage (SN-T) acquires 16S rRNA genes from different genera of bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Genomic analysis has revealed heterogeneity among bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences within a single species; yet the cause(s) remains uncertain. Generalized transducing bacteriophages have recently gained recognition for their abundance as well as their ability to affect lateral gene transfer and to harbor bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Here, we demonstrate the ability of broad-host-range, generalized transducing phages to acquire 16S rRNA genes and gene sequences. Using PCR and primers specific to conserved regions of the 16S rRNA gene, we have found that generalized transducing phages (D3112, UT1, and SN-T), but not specialized transducing phages (D3), acquired entire bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Furthermore, we show that the broad-host-range, generalized transducing phage SN-T is capab

SUBMITTER: Beumer A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1317401 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature