The Brucellasuis genome reveals fundamental similarities between animal and plant pathogens and symbionts

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 99; no. 20; p. 13148
• Main Authors: Ian T. Paulsen, Rekha Seshadri, Karen E. Nelson, Jonathan A. Eisen, John F. Heidelberg, Timothy D. Read, Robert J. Dodson, Lowell Umayam, Lauren M. Brinkac, Maureen J. Beanan, Sean C. Daugherty, Robert T. Deboy, A. Scott Durkin, James F. Kolonay, Ramana Madupu, William C. Nelson, Bola Ayodeji, Margaret Kraul, Jyoti Shetty, Joel Malek, Susan E. Van Aken, Steven Riedmuller, Herve Tettelin, Steven R. Gill, Owen White, Steven L. Salzberg, David L. Hoover, Luther E. Lindler, Shirley M. Halling, Stephen M. Boyle, Claire M. Fraser
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Acad Sciences 01.10.2002
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.192319099

The 3.31-Mb genome sequence of the intracellular pathogen and potential bioterrorism agent, Brucella suis , was determined. Comparison of B. suis with Brucella melitensis has defined a finite set of differences that could be responsible for the differences in virulence and host preference between these organisms, and indicates that phage have played a significant role in their divergence. Analysis of the B. suis genome reveals transport and metabolic capabilities akin to soil/plant-associated bacteria. Extensive gene synteny between B. suis chromosome 1 and the genome of the plant symbiont Mesorhizobium loti emphasizes the similarity between this animal pathogen and plant pathogens and symbionts. A limited repertoire of genes homologous to known bacterial virulence factors were identified.