A genomic survey of Reb homologs suggests widespread occurrence of R-bodies in proteobacteria.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria and eukaryotes are involved in many types of interaction in nature, with important ecological consequences. However, the diversity, occurrence, and mechanisms of these interactions often are not fully known. The obligate bacterial endosymbionts of Paramecium provide their hosts with the ability to kill sensitive Paramecium strains through the production of R-bodies, highly insoluble coiled protein ribbons. R-bodies have been observed in a number of free-living bacteria, where their function is unknown. We have performed an exhaustive survey of genes coding for homologs of Reb proteins (R-body components) in complete bacterial genomes. We found that reb genes are much more widespread than previously thought, being present in representatives of major Proteobacterial subdivisions, in

SUBMITTER: Raymann K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3583457 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature