The genome of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Genome sequencing of the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar ovis 1002 The genus Corynebacterium belongs to a suprageneric group of actinomycetes, which also includes the genera Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Rhodococcus. These gram-positive bacteria (termed the CMN group) constitute a very heterogeneous group; however the various species share particular characteristics, such as: (i) mycolic acid-containing cell walls; and (ii) high G+C content (50-72%). The genomes of several species of this group have already been completely sequenced; this fact reflects the considerable medical, veterinary and biotechnological importance of these organisms. C. pseudotuberculosis, an important animal pathogen, is the etiological agent of a disease that is commonly called caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) or cheesy gland. This disease is found in all the world’s major sheep and goat production areas, causing significant economic losses worldwide, mainly due to the reduction of wool, meat and milk yields, decreased reproductive efficiencies of affected animals and condemnation of carcasses and skins in abattoirs. In some cases, the infection produces few obvious clinical signs in the animal, remaining unrecognized until a post-mortem examination has been carried out and, making it difficult to obtain definitive data about prevalence of the disease. Noteworthy, despite its importance for animal health, this bacterium is poorly characterized. Only three virulence factors have been identified in C. pseudotuberculosis: (i) cell wall toxic lipids, related to abscess formation; (ii) phospholipase D, a sphingomyelin-degrading exotoxin; and (iii) 40-kDa serine protease, an immunogenic protein. Furthermore, few genes involved on the mechanisms employed by C.pseudotuberculosis during infection are currently known. Once its complete genome sequence becomes available, it will be possible to better understand the molecular and genetic basis of virulence of this bacterium. We are sequencing the genome using a combination of Sanger sequencing on 96 cappilary MegaBace systems and of 454 shotgun reads. * The C. pseudotuberculosis strain 1002 came from the microorganism collection of the Institute of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Bahia and was isolated from goat caseous granulomas found in Bahia state, confirmed by biochemical tests (API CORYNE, Bio-Merieux SA, France). Links of interest The Genomes Online database - GOLD Corynebacterium diphtheriae genome Corynebacterium efficiens YS-314 genome Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 Kitasato Genome Page TubercuList World-Wide Web Server C. pseudotuberculosis at the LGCM - UFMG web page Papers of interest A Sangerpyrosequencing hybrid approach for the generation of high-quality draft assemblies of marine microbial Genomes. PDF Construction and partial characterization of a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacterial artificial chromosome library through genomic survey sequencing. Link to the article. Review on C. pseudotuberculosis. PDF Transformation of C. pseudotuberculosis. PDF Distinctive Actinobacteria proteins. PDF Sheep and goat farming in Minas Gerais and the Northeastern region. PDF |
