IDENTIFICATION OF PROKARYOTIC REPETITIVE DNA SUITABLE FOR USE AS FINGERPRINTING PROBES

We have developed a method which enables the cloning and identificatio n of procaryotic repetitive DNA suitable for use as DNA fingerprinting probes. The method involves shotgun cloning of restricted genomic DNA with subsequent selection of clones containing repetitive DNA by reve rse-probed genomic hybridizations, in which the plasmid DNA clones are probed with labelled genomic DNA. Confirmation that the clones contai ned repeated sequences was by Southern hybridization, gene copy equiva lence, and DNA sequencing. The sequences were used for highly specific and sensitive detection of bacteria and as target sequences for the m ediation of chromosomal integration of reporter gene constructs.