Comparative 16S rRNA Sequence Analysis

Abstract

Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) involved in the production of proteins appear to be identical in function since overall three-dimensional structure of all rRNAs shows only minor variation. However, the comparison of variable regions of rRNAs obtained from various microbial origins provides highly significant molecular information in sense of genetic relatedness or phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships. Comparative study of nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA has been chosen because of their appropriate length and sufficient sequence information. This review describes methods for studying genetic relatedness of microorganisms using comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis, its application in bacterial systematic identification particularly for medically important Clostridia as well as prospective research of 16S rRNA.