Differential patterns of acquired virulence genes distinguish Salmonella strains.
Analysis of several Salmonella typhimurium in vivo-induced genes located in regions of atypical base composition has uncovered acquired genetic elements that cumulatively engender pathogenicity. Many of these regions are associated with mobile elements, encode predicted adhesin and invasin-like functions, and are required for full virulence. Some of these regions distinguish broad host range from host-adapted Salmonella serovars and may contribute to inherent differences in host specificity, tissue tropism, and disease manifestation. Maintenance of this archipelago of acquired sequence by selection in specific hosts reveals a fossil record of the evolution of pathogenic species.
Conner
C P
CP
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Heithoff
D M
DM
Julio
S M
SM
Sinsheimer
R L
RL
Mahan
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010957:Plasmids; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012483:Salmonella Phages / Q000235:genetics; D012485:Salmonella typhi / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D013045:Species Specificity; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics*