DNA FINGERPRINTING OF SOME HERBICIDE-TOLERANT STREPTOMYCES SPECIES AND PCR-ISOLATION OF BAR GENE

Abstract

In this study, differentiation between five identified Streptomyces species was carried out
on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of DNA using random amplified polymorphisms of DNApolymerase
chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique. Results revealed that these species differed in
their DNA sequence as indexed by differences in numbers, sizes and unique amplified fragments.
Such dissimilarities could be considered as an additional proof that identified isolates were
different species of Streptomyces. In addition, the herbicide resistance (bar) gene was
isolated by PCR technique in the DNA extracts of the five identified Streptomyces
isolates (Streptomyces albosporeus subsp abilomycaticus, S. herbaricolor and S.
aureomonopodiales) to be available for using as a selectable marker in the transformation
of the transgenic plants using the Basta herbicide. It is the first evidence to detect this gene
in local Streptomyces species in Egypt.