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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 2001, p. 3779-3784, Vol. 67, No. 9
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0   DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.9.3779-3784.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Distribution and Diversity of Symbiotic Thermophiles, Symbiobacterium thermophilum and Related Bacteria, in Natural Environments

Kenji Ueda, Michiyo Ohno, Kaori Yamamoto, Hanae Nara, Yujiro Mori, Masafumi Shimada, Masahiko Hayashi, Hanako Oida, Yuko Terashima, Mitsuyo Nagata, and Teruhiko Beppu*

Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan

Received 29 January 2001/Accepted 18 June 2001

Symbiobacterium thermophilum is a tryptophanase-positive thermophile which shows normal growth only in coculture with its supporting bacteria. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) indicated that the bacterium belongs to a novel phylogenetic branch at the outermost position of the gram-positive bacterial group without clustering to any other known genus. Here we describe the distribution and diversity of S. thermophilum and related bacteria in the environment. Thermostable tryptophanase activity and amplification of the specific 16S rDNA fragment were effectively employed to detect the presence of Symbiobacterium. Enrichment with kanamycin raised detection sensitivity. Mixed cultures of thermophiles containing Symbiobacterium species were frequently obtained from compost, soil, animal feces, and contents in the intestinal tracts, as well as feeds. Phylogenetic analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of the specific 16S rDNA amplicons revealed a diversity of this group of bacteria in the environment.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa 252-8510, Japan. Phone: 81-466-84-3931. Fax: 81-466-84-3935. E-mail: beppu{at}brs.nihon-u.ac.jp.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 2001, p. 3779-3784, Vol. 67, No. 9
0099-2240/01/$04.00+0   DOI: 10.1128/AEM.67.9.3779-3784.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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