Detection and variability analyses of CRISPR-like loci in the H. pylori genome

• Published in: PeerJ (San Francisco, CA) Vol. 7; p. e6221
• Main Authors: García-Zea, Jerson Alexander, de la Herrán, Roberto, Robles Rodríguez, Francisca, Navajas-Pérez, Rafael, Ruiz Rejón, Carmelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States PeerJ. Ltd 11.01.2019; PeerJ, Inc; PeerJ Inc
• Subjects: Acids; Adaptation; Bacteria; Bioinformatics; CRISPR; E coli; Evolution; Evolutionary Studies; Functional plasticity; Gastric cancer; Gene expression; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic engineering; Genetics; Genomes; Genomics; Helicobacter pylori; Pathogenesis; Pathogens; Phylogenetic marker; Phylogeny; Signal transduction; Ulcers; Variability CRISPR-like; VlpC gene; United States > US; Europe; Africa; South Africa; France; Peru; Spain; Phylogenetic marker; VlpC gene; Helicobacter pylori; Variability CRISPR-like
• ISSN: 2167-8359; 2167-8359
• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6221

is a human pathogenic bacterium with a high genomic plasticity. Although the functional CRISPR-Cas system has not been found in its genome, CRISPR-like loci have been recently identified. In this work, 53 genomes from different geographical areas are analyzed for the search and analysis of variability of this type of structure. We confirm the presence of a locus that was previously described in the VlpC gene in al lgenomes, and we characterize new CRISPR-like loci in other genomic locations. By studying the variability and gene location of these loci, the evolution and the possible roles of these sequences are discussed. Additionally, the usefulness of this type of sequences as a phylogenetic marker has been demonstrated, associating the different strains by geographical area.