Genome sequencing reveals widespread virulence gene exchange among human Neisseria species.
Commensal bacteria comprise a large part of the microbial world, playing important roles in human development, health and disease. However, little is known about the genomic content of commensals or how related they are to their pathogenic counterparts. The genus Neisseria, containing both commensal and pathogenic species, provides an excellent opportunity to study these issues. We undertook a comprehensive sequencing and analysis of human commensal and pathogenic Neisseria genomes. Commensals have an extensive repertoire of virulence alleles, a large fraction of which has been exchanged among Neisseria species. Commensals also have the genetic capacity to donate DNA to, and take up DNA from, other Neisseria. Our findings strongly suggest that commensal Neisseria serve as reservoirs of virulence alleles, and that they engage extensively in genetic exchange.
Marri
Pradeep Reddy
PR
The BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America. pradeepm@email.arizona.edu
Paniscus
Mary
M
Weyand
Nathan J
NJ
Rendón
María A
MA
Calton
Christine M
CM
Hernández
Diana R
DR
Higashi
Dustin L
DL
Sodergren
Erica
E
Weinstock
George M
GM
Rounsley
Steven D
SD
So
Magdalene
M
D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal / Q000235:genetics*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009343:Neisseria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D042806:Neisseria lactamica / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics*