Full text loading...
Abstract
Summary: The DNA homology relationships of 25 micrococci (15 strains of Micrococcus, eight strains of Sarcina and two strains of Staphylococcus) were studied by the deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization method using nuclease S1, an endonuclease specific for single-stranded DNA molecules. Nineteen of the strains were classified into three groups. Group I contained Micrococcus lysodeikticus iam1056, M. luteus iam11010, M. flavus iam12005 and iam12006, Sarcina flava iam12007 and iam12008, S. subflava iam12009, S. lutea atcc381 and atcc382, and M. luteus iam11006. Group II contained M. roseus iam1315, atcc412, atcc185 and iam1295. Group III contained S. lutea iam1099, ifo3232 and atcc383, M. varians atcc399 and Staphylococcus lactis atcc15306. Micrococcus luteus iam1097, M. varians atcc19099 and atcc19100, M. conglomeratus iam1459 and iam1470, and St. aureus iam1011 could not be assigned to any of the three groups.
The grouping corresponds to that derived from the results of differential lysis by lysozyme, ‘lytic enzyme 2’ from Cytophaga sp., or Streptomyces albus G enzyme; and to types of peptidoglycan in the cell walls and genetic transformation. The usefulness of classification based on sensitivity to various lytic enzymes was demonstrated. Group I probably coincides with M. luteus of Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (1974), and groups II and III with M. roseus and M. varians respectively.
- Received:
- Published Online: