Value of recN sequences for species identification and as a phylogenetic marker within the family “Leuconostocaceae” Authors David R. R. Arahal Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Ester Sánchez Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain M. Carmen Macián Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Esperanza Garay Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Keywords: Leuconostoc, Oenococcus, Weissella, gene recN, phylogeny Abstract The genera Leuconostoc, Oenococcus, and Weissella (family “Leuconostocaceae”) constitute a group of lactic acid bacteria of great interest in food microbiology. From the taxonomic point of view, they are considered phylogenetically coherent according to their 16S rRNA gene sequences and other macromolecules. These three genera were the focus of the present study; specifically, the resolution and discriminatory power of recN (encoding a DNA repair and genetic recombination protein) as a molecular marker at the species level were investigated. For this purpose, partial sequences (about 1200 nt) were obtained from 23 type strains and from several additional strains following direct amplification of recN and subsequent sequencing. Phylogeny was evaluated according to different treeing methods (neighbor joining, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony) and the inclusion of variability filters. The results showed that recN, used either alone or in combination with 16S rRNA data, can serve as a phylogenetic marker as well as a tool for species identification.[Int Microbiol 2008; 11(1): 33-39] Author Biographies David R. R. Arahal, Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Ester Sánchez, Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain M. Carmen Macián, Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Esperanza Garay, Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain Downloads PDF Published 2010-01-19 Issue Vol. 11 No. 1 (2008) Section Research Articles License Submission of a manuscript to International Microbiology implies: that the work described has not been published before, including publication in the World Wide Web (except in the form of an Abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that all the coauthors have agreed to its publication. The corresponding author signs for and accepts responsability for releasing this material and will act on behalf of any and all coauthors regarding the editorial review and publication process.If an article is accepted for publication in International Microbiology, the authors (or other copyright holder) must transfer to the journal the right–not exclusive–to reproduce and distribute the article including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature. Nevertheless, all article in International Microbiology will be available on the Internet to any reader at no cost. The journal allows users to freely download, copy, print, distribute, search, and link to the full text of any article, provided the authorship and source of the published article is cited. The copyright owner's consent does not include copying for new works, or resale. In these cases, the specific written permission of International Microbiology must first be obtained.Authors are requested to create a link to the published article on the journal's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The original publication is available on LINK at <http://www.im.microbios.org>. Please use the appropiate URL for the article in LINK. Articles disseminated via LINK are indexed, abstracted, and referenced by many abstracting and information services, bibliographic networks, subscription agencies, library networks, and consortia.