Use of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA as a means of developing genus- and strain-specific Streptomyces DNA probes

We have analyzed 20 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers again st 36 Streptomyces strains, including 17 taxonomically undefined strains, 2 5 nonstreptomycete actinomycetes, and 12 outgroups consisting of gram-posit ive and -negative species. Most of the primers were useful in identifying u nique DNA polymorphisms of all strains tested, We have used RAPD techniques to develop a genus-specific probe, one not necessarily targeting the ribos omal gene, for Streptomyces, and a strain-specific probe for the biological control agent Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108. in the course of these investi gations, small-scale DNA isolations were also developed for efficiently iso lating actinomycete DNA, Various modifications of isolation procedures for soil DNA were compared, and the reliability and specificity of the RAPD met hodology were tested by specifically detecting the S, lydicus WYEC108 in DN A isolated from soil.