Bacterial genome adaptation to niches: divergence of the potential virulence genes in three Burkholderia species of different survival strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Two closely related species Burkholderia mallei (Bm) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) are serious human health hazards and are potential bio-warfare agents, whereas another closely related species Burkholderia thailandensis (Bt) is a non-pathogenic saprophyte. To investigate the genomic factors resulting in such a dramatic difference, we first identified the Bm genes responsive to the mouse environment, and then examined the divergence of these genes in Bp and Bt.

Results

The genes down-expressed, which largely encode cell growth-related proteins, are conserved well in all three species, whereas those up-expressed, which include potential virulence genes, are less well conserved or absent notably in Bt. However, a substantial number of up-expressed genes is stil

SUBMITTER: Kim HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1343551 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature