TY - JOUR
T1 - Genome sequencing reveals widespread virulence gene exchange among human Neisseria species
AU - Marri, Pradeep Reddy
AU - Paniscus, Mary
AU - Weyand, Nathan J.
AU - Rendón, María A.
AU - Calton, Christine M.
AU - Hernández, Diana R.
AU - Higashi, Dustin L.
AU - Sodergren, Erica
AU - Weinstock, George M.
AU - Rounsley, Steven D.
AU - So, Magdalene
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Commensal bacteria comprise a large part of the microbial world, playing important roles in human development, health and disease. However, little is known about the genomic content of commensals or how related they are to their pathogenic counterparts. The genus Neisseria, containing both commensal and pathogenic species, provides an excellent opportunity to study these issues. We undertook a comprehensive sequencing and analysis of human commensal and pathogenic Neisseria genomes. Commensals have an extensive repertoire of virulence alleles, a large fraction of which has been exchanged among Neisseria species. Commensals also have the genetic capacity to donate DNA to, and take up DNA from, other Neisseria. Our findings strongly suggest that commensal Neisseria serve as reservoirs of virulence alleles, and that they engage extensively in genetic exchange.
AB - Commensal bacteria comprise a large part of the microbial world, playing important roles in human development, health and disease. However, little is known about the genomic content of commensals or how related they are to their pathogenic counterparts. The genus Neisseria, containing both commensal and pathogenic species, provides an excellent opportunity to study these issues. We undertook a comprehensive sequencing and analysis of human commensal and pathogenic Neisseria genomes. Commensals have an extensive repertoire of virulence alleles, a large fraction of which has been exchanged among Neisseria species. Commensals also have the genetic capacity to donate DNA to, and take up DNA from, other Neisseria. Our findings strongly suggest that commensal Neisseria serve as reservoirs of virulence alleles, and that they engage extensively in genetic exchange.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0011835
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0011835
M3 - Article
C2 - 20676376
AN - SCOPUS:77955644270
VL - 5
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 7
M1 - e11835
ER -