Genomic insights into an obligate epibiotic bacterial predator: Micavibrio aeruginosavorus ARL-13.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although bacterial predators play important roles in the dynamics of natural microbial communities, little is known about the molecular mechanism of bacterial predation and the evolution of diverse predatory lifestyles.

Results

We determined the complete genome sequence of Micavibrio aeruginosavorus ARL-13, an obligate bacterial predator that feeds by "leeching" externally to its prey. Despite being an obligate predator depending on prey for replication, M. aeruginosavorus encodes almost all major metabolic pathways. However, our genome analysis suggests that there are multiple amino acids that it can neither make nor import directly from the environment, thus providing a simple explanation for its strict dependence on prey. Remarkably, despite apparent genome red

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3189940 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature