Genomic Diversity among Actinomyces naeslundii Strains and Closely Related Species

The aim of this study was to investigate and clarify the ambiguous taxonomy of Actinomyces naeslundii and its closely related species using state-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing techniques, and, furthermore, to determine whether sub-clusters identified within Actinomyces oris and Actinomyces naeslundii in a previous study by multi locus sequence typing (MLST) using concatenation of seven housekeeping genes should either be classified as subspecies or distinct species. The strains in this study were broadly classified under Actinomyces naeslundii group as A. naeslundii genospecies I and genospecies II. Based on MLST data analysis, these were further classified as A. oris and A. naeslundii. The whole genome sequencing of selected strains of A. oris (n = 17) and A. naeslundii (n = 19) was carried out using Illumina Genome Analyzer IIxe and Roche 454 allowing paired-end and single-reads sequencing, respectively. The sequences obtained were aligned using CLC Genomic workbench version 5.1 and annotated using RAST (Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology) release version 59 accessible online. Additionally, genomes of seven publicly available strains of Actinomyces (k20, MG1, c505, OT175, OT171, OT170, and A. johnsonii) were also included. Comparative genomic analysis (CGA) using Mauve, Progressive Mauve, gene-by-gene, Core, and Pan Genome, and finally Digital DNA-DNA homology (DDH) analysis was carried out. DDH values were obtained using in silico genome–genome comparison. Evolutionary analysis using ClonalFrame was also undertaken. The mutation and recombination events were compared using chi-square test among A. oris and A. naeslundii isolates (analysis methods are not included in the study). CGA results were consistent with previous traditional classification using MLST. It was found that strains of Actinomyces k20, MG1, c505, and OT175 clustered in A. oris group of isolates, while OT171, OT170, and A. johnsonii appeared as separate branches. Similar clustering to MLST was observed for other isolates. The mutation and recombination events were significantly higher in A. oris than A. naeslundii, highlighting the diversity of A. oris strains in the oral cavity. These findings suggest that A. oris forms six distinct groups, whereas A. naeslundii forms three. The correct designation of isolates will help in the identification of clinical Actinomyces isolates found in dental plaque. Easily accessible online genomic sequence data will also accelerate the investigation of the biochemical characterisation and pathogenesis of this important group of micro-organisms.