Multiple-locus sequence typing and analysis of toxin genes in Bacillus cereus food-borne isolates.
In the present study we characterized 47 food-borne isolates of Bacillus cereus using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Newly determined sequences were combined with sequences available in public data banks in order to produce the largest data set possible. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on a total of 296 strains for which MLST sequence information is available, and three main lineages--I, II, and III--within the B. cereus complex were identified. With few exceptions, all food-borne isolates were in group I. The occurrence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among various strains was analyzed by several statistical methods, providing evidence of widespread lateral gene transfer within B. cereus. We also investigated the occurrence of toxin-encoding genes, focusing on their evolutionary history within B. cereus. Several patterns were identified, indicating a pivotal role of HGT in the evolution of toxin-encoding genes. Our results indicate that HGT is an important element in shaping the population structure of the B. cereus complex. The results presented here also provide strong evidence of reticulate evolution within the B. cereus complex.
Cardazzo
Barbara
B
Department of Public Health, Comparative Pathology and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy. barbara.cardazzo@unipd.it
Negrisolo
Enrico
E
Carraro
Lisa
L
Alberghini
Leonardo
L
Patarnello
Tomaso
T
Giaccone
Valerio
V
D000465:Algorithms; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000382:microbiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005399:Fishes / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins