Construction of the physical maps of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Mycoplasma flocculare and the location of rRNA genes on these maps

Abstract

The genomes of Mycoplasma flocculare and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, two mycoplasmas of the porcine respiratory system, were studied. Based upon antigenic cross-reactivity and DNA-DNA hybridization, these species have given indication of a close genetic relationship. By using field-inversion gel electrophoresis and employing the restriction digest fragments obtained from the gels as the probes, physical maps of the genomes of the two species were constructed. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is similar to M. flocculare in having a single set of rRNA genes and the 5S-rRNA gene is separated from the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. Based upon the location of the rRNA genes on the physical maps in both species, the distance between the 5S and the 16S and 23S rRNA genes is at least 150 kbp. Thus, there is further evidence for the close relationship between these organisms.