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The genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis Ames and comparison to closely related bacteria

Author

Listed:
  • Timothy D. Read

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute)

  • Scott N. Peterson

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    The George Washington University)

  • Nicolas Tourasse

    (University of Oslo
    The Biotechnology Center of Oslo)

  • Les W. Baillie

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
    Defence Science Technology Laboratory)

  • Ian T. Paulsen

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Karen E. Nelson

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Hervé Tettelin

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Derrick E. Fouts

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Jonathan A. Eisen

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Steven R. Gill

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Erik K. Holtzapple

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Ole Andreas Økstad

    (University of Oslo
    The Biotechnology Center of Oslo)

  • Erlendur Helgason

    (University of Oslo
    The Biotechnology Center of Oslo)

  • Jennifer Rilstone

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Martin Wu

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • James F. Kolonay

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Maureen J. Beanan

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Robert J. Dodson

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Lauren M. Brinkac

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Michelle Gwinn

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Robert T. DeBoy

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Ramana Madpu

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Sean C. Daugherty

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • A. Scott Durkin

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Daniel H. Haft

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • William C. Nelson

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Jeremy D. Peterson

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Mihai Pop

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Hoda M. Khouri

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Diana Radune

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Jonathan L. Benton

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Yasmin Mahamoud

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Lingxia Jiang

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Ioana R. Hance

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Janice F. Weidman

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Kristi J. Berry

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Roger D. Plaut

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Alex M. Wolf

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Kisha L. Watkins

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • William C. Nierman

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Alyson Hazen

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Robin Cline

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Caroline Redmond

    (University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute)

  • Joanne E. Thwaite

    (University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute)

  • Owen White

    (The Institute for Genomic Research)

  • Steven L. Salzberg

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Brendan Thomason

    (University of Michigan Medical School
    Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School)

  • Arthur M. Friedlander

    (US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases)

  • Theresa M. Koehler

    (University of Texas–Houston Health Science Center Medical School, University of Texas)

  • Philip C. Hanna

    (University of Michigan Medical School
    Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School)

  • Anne-Brit Kolstø

    (University of Oslo
    The Biotechnology Center of Oslo)

  • Claire M. Fraser

    (The Institute for Genomic Research
    The George Washington University
    The George Washington University)

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis is an endospore-forming bacterium that causes inhalational anthrax1. Key virulence genes are found on plasmids (extra-chromosomal, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules) pXO1 (ref. 2) and pXO2 (ref. 3). To identify additional genes that might contribute to virulence, we analysed the complete sequence of the chromosome of B. anthracis Ames (about 5.23 megabases). We found several chromosomally encoded proteins that may contribute to pathogenicity—including haemolysins, phospholipases and iron acquisition functions—and identified numerous surface proteins that might be important targets for vaccines and drugs. Almost all these putative chromosomal virulence and surface proteins have homologues in Bacillus cereus, highlighting the similarity of B. anthracis to near-neighbours that are not associated with anthrax4. By performing a comparative genome hybridization of 19 B. cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis strains against a B. anthracis DNA microarray, we confirmed the general similarity of chromosomal genes among this group of close relatives. However, we found that the gene sequences of pXO1 and pXO2 were more variable between strains, suggesting plasmid mobility in the group. The complete sequence of B. anthracis is a step towards a better understanding of anthrax pathogenesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy D. Read & Scott N. Peterson & Nicolas Tourasse & Les W. Baillie & Ian T. Paulsen & Karen E. Nelson & Hervé Tettelin & Derrick E. Fouts & Jonathan A. Eisen & Steven R. Gill & Erik K. Holtzapple, 2003. "The genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis Ames and comparison to closely related bacteria," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6935), pages 81-86, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:423:y:2003:i:6935:d:10.1038_nature01586
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01586
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