Intra-Species Diversity between Seven Bifidobacterium adolescentis Strains Identified by Genome-Wide Tiling Array Analysis

Six Bifidobacterium adolescentis strains, JCM1275, JCM1251, JCM7044, JCM7045, JCM7046, and 9-124, were analyzed using a tiling array designed according to the full genome sequence of ATCC15703. The results demonstrated deletion clusters along with single-gene mutations and deletions. Most deletions concerned genes involved in polysaccharide and cell-surface biogenesis. A dendrogram illustrating the deletions and mutations is presented and the evolution of B. adolescentis is discussed.