Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for discrimination of Escherichia strains possessing highly conserved ribosomal RNA gene sequences

Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(3):430-2. doi: 10.1248/bpb.34.430.

Abstract

We evaluated the capability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to discriminate twelve Escherichia strains: E. blattae, E. fergusonii, E. hermanii and nine E. coli, whose ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence homologies are in the range of 96-100%. Similarities obtained by MALDI-TOF MS were found to be 78-92% among the E. coli strains, and 74% between E. coli and E. fergusonii. E. blattae and E. hermanii showed only 32% similarity when compared to the other species. Thus, MALDI-TOF MS provides capability of distinguishing bacterial species or even strains possessing highly conserved rRNA gene sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Typing Techniques / methods*
  • Base Sequence*
  • DNA, Bacterial*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Genes, rRNA*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Sequence Homology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial