Retracing the path of evolution: polymorphisms of <i>aspA</i> codon 363 shape the fitness of <i>Yersinia pestis</i>.

ABSTRACT: Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, is a genetically monomorphic pathogen. By screening 1085 published Y. pestis genomes, we identified an unusual mutation hotspot within codon 363 of the aspartate ammonia-lyase gene aspA with at least six alleles in the population. Our investigation delves into the significance of the polymorphism at the aspA codon 363 and its impact on the fitness of Y. pestis strains. Notably, we found that the dominating TTG allele (L363), resulting in AspA inactivation, confers a fitness advantage to Y. pestis when competing with other bacteria inhabiting a similar niche, due to elevated expression of pesticin. However, the TTG strain exhibits fitness deficits under various stress conditions compared to the GTG str

SUBMITTER: Song K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12291239 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature