Characterization of the unlinked 16S rDNA and 23S-5S rRNA operon of Wolbachia pipientis, a prokaryotic parasite of insect gonads.

The rRNA-encoding genes (rDNAs) have been cloned and characterized from Wolbachia pipientis (Wp), the gonadial bacteria-like parasite of the mosquito Culex pipiens (Cp) and the moth Ephestia cautella (Ec). In Wp from both insect species the rDNAs are organized in a way which appears to be very unusual. The rRNAs are encoded by two unlinked transcription units, each present in a single copy per genome. One contains the 16S rDNA only, while the other is an operon encoding both the 23S and 5S rDNAs. Each transcription unit contains two putative upstream promoters, and downstream a Rho-independent terminator. The 16S rDNA, as well as the 23S-5S rRNA operon are not linked to any tRNA-encoding sequence and lack the antitermination boxes which are usually present immediately downstream from eubacterial promoters of rDNAs. Wp infecting Ec and Cp are highly similar taking as criteria the rDNAs and their flanking sequences. However, it clearly appears that each insect species harbours a different and specific Wp strain, or even subspecies. Phylogenetic relationships deduced from the complete sequences of their rDNAs undoubtedly confirm that Wp from Cp and Ec belong to the alpha-group of Proteobacteria, and are closely related to the Rickettsia.