title: Genome sequence of a proteolytic (Group I) Clostridium botulinum strain Hall A and comparative analysis of the clostridial genomes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Mohammed
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authors.lastname: Sebaihia
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: Nigel P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Minton
authors.forename: Nicholas R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Matthew T G
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: Wilfrid J
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authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Andrew T
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authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Lisa
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authors.lastname: Crossman
authors.forename: Catherine J
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authors.forename: Alasdair
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authors.lastname: Ivens
authors.forename: Marjon H J
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authors.lastname: Wells-Bennik
authors.forename: Ian J
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authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cerdeño-Tárraga
authors.forename: Carol
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authors.lastname: Churcher
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Quail
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chillingworth
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feltwell
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goodhead
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hance
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jagels
authors.forename: Natasha
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authors.lastname: Larke
authors.forename: Mark
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authors.lastname: Maddison
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moule
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mungall
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Norbertczak
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rabbinowitsch
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simmonds
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whithead
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parkhill
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004270:DNA, Circular; D004798:Enzymes; D009498:Neurotoxins; D001905:Botulinum Toxins