Evolutionary origins and sequence of the Escherichia coli O4 O-antigen gene cluster.
Escherichia coli express many types of O antigen, present in the outer membrane of the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall. O-Antigen biosynthesis genes are clustered together and differences seen in O-antigen types are due to genetic variation within this gene cluster. Sequencing of the E. coli O4 O-antigen gene cluster revealed a similar gene order and high levels of similarity to that of E. coli O26; indicating a common ancestor. These lateral transfer events observed within O-antigen gene clusters may occur as part of the evolution of the pathogenic clones.
D'Souza
Jocelyne M
JM
School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Samuel
Gabrielle N
GN
Reeves
Peter R
PR
D001483:Base Sequence; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D019081:O Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D019081:O Antigens