Divergence of the SigB regulon and pathogenesis of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group currently includes seven species (B. cereus, B. anthracis, B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides, B. thuringiensis, B. weihenstephanensis and B. cytotoxicus) that recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses suggest are likely a single species, despite their varied phenotypes. Although horizontal gene transfer and insertion-deletion events are clearly important for promoting divergence among these genomes, recent studies have demonstrated that a major basis for phenotypic diversity in these organisms may be differential regulation of the highly similar gene content shared by these organisms. To explore this hypothesis, we used an in silico approach to evaluate the relationship of pathogenic potential and the divergence of the SigB-dependent

SUBMITTER: Scott E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3485630 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature