Coordinated phenotype switching with large-scale chromosome flip-flop inversion observed in bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Genome inversions are ubiquitous in organisms ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Typical examples can be identified by comparing the genomes of two or more closely related organisms, where genome inversion footprints are clearly visible. Although the evolutionary implications of this phenomenon are huge, little is known about the function and biological meaning of this process. Here, we report our findings on a bacterium that generates a reversible, large-scale inversion of its chromosome (about half of its total genome) at high frequencies of up to once every four generations. This inversion switches on or off bacterial phenotypes, including colony morphology, antibiotic susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and expression of dozens of genes. Quantitative measurements and mathematical

SUBMITTER: Cui L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3382547 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature