Determination of the rpoB gene sequences of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana for phylogenic analysis

Using the Genome Walker(TM) procedure, which allows PCR amplification of ge nomic DNA using a single gene-specific primer and direct automated sequenci ng methodology, we obtained the nucleotide sequence of the RNA polymerase b eta subunit (rpoB) from Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana. A phyl ogenetic tree constructed from these data and other rpoB sequences availabl e in GenBank is, in part, consistent with those previously derived from 16S rRNA gene sequences and confirms the position of Bartonella within the a s ubdivision of Proteobacteria. In fact, this analysis showed that rpoB data are similar to 16S rRNA data for the alpha, beta and gamma subdivisions of Proteobacteria. In contrast, concerning other bacteria included in our stud y, the topologies of phylogenetic trees were different. Based on the bootst rap values derived from rpoB phylogenic analysis, we believe that this mole cule should contribute to better understanding the evolutionary process. (C ) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.