Adapting a diet from sugar to meat: double-dealing genes of Streptococcus pyogenes.
Intuitively, paralogues created by gene duplication should retain related functions. However, a study of the two lactose metabolic operons of Streptococcus pyogenes, reported in this issue of Molecular Microbiology, indicates that paralogues might evolve very different functions, in this case changing from a metabolic enzyme to a regulator of virulence. Divergence of paralogues could be a newly recognized theme in the metamorphosis of a bacteria from innocuous to pathogenic.
Rosch
Jason W
JW
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Tuomanen
Elaine
E
D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence
D007785:Lactose