In a phylogenetic tree for the order Bifidobacteriales, based on RpoB, RpoC, and DNA Gyrase B, Gardnerella vaginalis branches between different Bifidobacterium species, which makes the genus Bifidobacteriumpolyphyletic. The genus could be made monophyletic if G. vaginalis were placed within Bifidobacterium. Comparative analysis of aligned protein sequences has led to the discovery of two conserved signature indels which are specific for the order Bifidobacteriales. The first indel, a 1 amino acid deletion in ribosomal protein L13, is found in all Bifidobacteriales species and no other Actinomycetota, providing a potential molecular marker for the entire Bifidobacteriales order. The second indel that has been identified is a 1 amino acid insertion in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase found in all Bifidobacterium species and G. vaginalis, but not in any other Actinomycetota. This indel is thus characteristic of the clade consisting of Bifidobacterium species and G. vaginalis and can be used to distinguish these genera from the rest of the order Bifidobacteriales. 16 conserved signature proteins have also been identified which are unique to the order Bifidobacteriales and can be used as molecular markers for this order. Additionally, 6 conserved signature proteins which are unique to Bifidobacterium and Gardnerella have been identified, providing further evidence that species from these two genera are closely related and providing molecular markers for the clade consisting of these genera.[4]
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