Comparative genomics of vesicomyid clam (Bivalvia: Mollusca) chemosynthetic symbionts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Vesicomyidae (Bivalvia: Mollusca) are a family of clams that form symbioses with chemosynthetic gamma-proteobacteria. They exist in environments such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps and have a reduced gut and feeding groove, indicating a large dependence on their endosymbionts for nutrition. Recently, two vesicomyid symbiont genomes were sequenced, illuminating the possible nutritional contributions of the symbiont to the host and making genome-wide evolutionary analyses possible.

Results

To examine the genomic evolution of the vesicomyid symbionts, a comparative genomics framework, including the existing genomic data combined with heterologous microarray hybridization results, was used to analyze conserved gene content in four vesicomyid symbiont genomes

SUBMITTER: Newton IL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2642828 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature