DNA analysis of Brucella: present and future
1985
Corbel, M.J., Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Surrey (RU). Central Veterinary Lab.
From the limited number of studies published on the DNA composition of Brucella it is known that members of the genus have a purine-pyrimidine base content of 55-58 per cent guanine + cytosine. All strains examined so far have shown more than 90 per cent homology of DNA base sequences in hybridization experiments. Attempts to demonstrate plasmids have proved unsuccessful. Further studies are indicated to (1) define genetic relationships within the genus and to identify the processes whereby genetic modification occurs and (2) to develop better methods for strain characterization. It is suggested that the following procedures would merit further investigation: (a) restriction endonuclease analysis of DNA preparations; (b) DNA hybridization analysis using DNA probes selected from a defined strain; (c) DNA-ribosomal RNA hybridization analysis; (d) DNA sequencing; (e) sequencing of 5S ribosomal RNA and 16S ribosomal RNA oligonucleotides. There is also a need for more basic information on genetic processes in Brucella and the possible role played by conjugation and transduction. Genetic mapping of selected strains should also be possible and would facilitate subsequent studies on the genus
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