Genome sequence of a proteolytic (Group I) Clostridium botulinum strain Hall A and comparative analysis of the clostridial genomes.
Clostridium botulinum is a heterogeneous Gram-positive species that comprises four genetically and physiologically distinct groups of bacteria that share the ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin, the most poisonous toxin known to man, and the causative agent of botulism, a severe disease of humans and animals. We report here the complete genome sequence of a representative of Group I (proteolytic) C. botulinum (strain Hall A, ATCC 3502). The genome consists of a chromosome (3,886,916 bp) and a plasmid (16,344 bp), which carry 3650 and 19 predicted genes, respectively. Consistent with the proteolytic phenotype of this strain, the genome harbors a large number of genes encoding secreted proteases and enzymes involved in uptake and metabolism of amino acids. The genome also reveals a hitherto unknown ability of C. botulinum to degrade chitin. There is a significant lack of recently acquired DNA, indicating a stable genomic content, in strong contrast to the fluid genome of Clostridium difficile, which can form longer-term relationships with its host. Overall, the genome indicates that C. botulinum is adapted to a saprophytic lifestyle both in soil and aquatic environments. This pathogen relies on its toxin to rapidly kill a wide range of prey species, and to gain access to nutrient sources, it releases a large number of extracellular enzymes to soften and destroy rotting or decayed tissues.
Sebaihia
Mohammed
M
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom;
Peck
Michael W
MW
Minton
Nigel P
NP
Thomson
Nicholas R
NR
Holden
Matthew T G
MT
Mitchell
Wilfrid J
WJ
Carter
Andrew T
AT
Bentley
Stephen D
SD
Mason
David R
DR
Crossman
Lisa
L
Paul
Catherine J
CJ
Ivens
Alasdair
A
Wells-Bennik
Marjon H J
MH
Davis
Ian J
IJ
Cerdeño-Tárraga
Ana M
AM
Churcher
Carol
C
Quail
Michael A
MA
Chillingworth
Tracey
T
Feltwell
Theresa
T
Fraser
Audrey
A
Goodhead
Ian
I
Hance
Zahra
Z
Jagels
Kay
K
Larke
Natasha
N
Maddison
Mark
M
Moule
Sharon
S
Mungall
Karen
K
Norbertczak
Halina
H
Rabbinowitsch
Ester
E
Sanders
Mandy
M
Simmonds
Mark
M
White
Brian
B
Whithead
Sally
S
Parkhill
Julian
J
D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000235:genetics; D001906:Botulism; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004270:DNA, Circular / Q000235:genetics; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D023281:Genomics; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004270:DNA, Circular; D004798:Enzymes; D009498:Neurotoxins; D001905:Botulinum Toxins