16S RDNA GENOTYPING USING PCR RFLP (RESTRICTION-FRAGMENT-LENGTH-POLYMORPHISM) ANALYSIS AMONG THE FAMILY VIBRIONACEAE/

The 16S rDNA genotypes among the family Vibrionaceae were determined u sing PCR/RFLP analysis. Five tetrameric restriction enzymes (HhaI, Dde I, RsaI, Sau3AI and MspI) were used for RFLP analysis and adequate num bers of informative bands wen obtained from each enzyme. Twenty-seven genotyyes were obtained from 49 type and reference strains including 3 5 species. Nineteen species could be assigned to specific 16S rDNA gen otypes, supporting the application of this analysis for identification . Trees constructed using five endonucleases resolved groups almost id entical to those inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequencing. However, the branch lengths and detailed relationships among strains within a group differed from those inferred from sequence comparisons. The results o f this study should be useful for genotyping, identification and appro ximate classification of natural isolates belonging to the family Vibr ionaceae.