M-protein and other intrinsic virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes are encoded on an ancient pathogenicity island.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increasing number of completely sequenced bacterial genomes allows comparing their architecture and genetic makeup. Such new information highlights the crucial role of lateral genetic exchanges in bacterial evolution and speciation.

Results

Here we analyzed the twelve sequenced genomes of Streptococcus pyogenes by a naïve approach that examines the preferential nucleotide usage along the chromosome, namely the usage of G versus C (GC-skew) and T versus A (TA-skew). The cumulative GC-skew plot presented an inverted V-shape composed of two symmetrical linear segments, where the minimum and maximum corresponded to the origin and terminus of DNA replication. In contrast, the cumulative TA-skew presented a V-shape, which segments were interrupted by several steep s

SUBMITTER: Panchaud A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2683870 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature