Title: Comparative genomics of two Leptospira interrogans serovars reveals novel insights into physiology and pathogenesis

Author(s):  Nascimento ALTO, Ko AI, Martins EAL, Monteiro-Vitorello CB, Ho PL, Haake DA, Verjovski-Almeida S, Hartskeerl RA, Marques MV, Oliveira MC, Menck CFM, Leite LCC, Carrer H, Coutinho LL , Degrave WM, Dellagostin OA, El-Dorry H, Ferro ES, Ferro MIT, Furlan LR, Gamberini M, Giglioti EA, Goes-Neto A, Goldman GH, Goldman MHS, Harakava R, Jeronimo SMB, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM, Kimura ET, Kuramae EE, Lemos EGM, Lemos MVF, Marino CL, Nunes LR, de Oliveira RC, Pereira GG, Reis MS, Schriefer A, Siqueira WJ, Sommer P, Tsai SM, Simpson AJG, Ferro JA, Camargo LEA, Kitajima JP, Setubal JC, Van Sluys MA

Source:  JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY 186 (7): 2164-2172 APR 2004

Document Type:  Article

Language:  English

Abstract:  Leptospira species colonize a significant proportion of rodent populations worldwide and produce life-threatening infections in accidental hosts, including humans. Complete genome sequencing of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and comparative analysis with the available Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai genome reveal that despite overall genetic similarity there are significant structural differences, including a large chromosomal inversion and extensive variation in the number and distribution of insertion sequence elements. Genome sequence analysis elucidates many of the novel aspects of leptospiral physiology relating to energy metabolism, oxygen tolerance, two-component signal transduction systems, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. A broad array of transcriptional regulation proteins and two new families of afimbrial adhesins which contribute to host tissue colonization in the early steps of infection were identified. Differences in genes involved in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide 0 side chains between the Copenhageni and Lai serovars were identified, offering an important starting point for the elucidation of the organism's complex polysaccharide surface antigens. Differences in adhesins and in lipopolysaccharide might be associated with the adaptation of serovars Copenhageni and Lai to different animal hosts. Hundreds of genes encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins and transmembrane outer membrane proteins were identified as candidates for development of vaccines for the prevention of leptospirosis.

KeyWords Plus:  PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA; TREPONEMA-PALLIDUM; ESCHERICHIA-COLI; MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION; SUPEROXIDE REDUCTASE; NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE; SYPHILIS SPIROCHETE; XYLELLA-FASTIDIOSA; PROTEIN; IDENTIFICATION

Addresses:  Nascimento ALTO (reprint author), Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biotechnol, Inst Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil 1500, Sao Paulo, SP BR-05503900 Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biotechnol, Inst Butantan, Sao Paulo, SP BR-05503900 Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Sao Paulo, BR-05508 Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biol, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agrarias & Vet, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Ctr Ciencias Agrarias, Araras, Brazil
Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, BR-14049 Brazil
Univ Mogi Cruzes, Fac Ciencias Agron, Mogi Cruzes, Brazil
Univ Mogi Cruzes, Inst Biociencias, Mogi Cruzes, Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP Brazil
Univ Mogi Cruzes, Nucleo Integrado Biotecnol, Mogi Das Cruzes, Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Genet & Evolucao, Campinas, SP Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Computacao, Campinas, SP Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Agron Campinas, Campinas, SP Brazil
Univ Estadual Paulista, Ctr Biol Mol & Engn Genet, Campinas, SP Brazil
Univ Fed Bahia, Serv Immunol, Salvador, BA BR-41170290 Brazil
UEFS, LAPEM, Dept Ciencias Biol, Feira De Santana, BA Brazil
Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Dept Bioquim & Biol Mol, Rio De Janeiro, BR-20001 Brazil
Univ Fed Pelotas, Ctr Biotechnol, Pelotas, Brazil
Univ Fed Rio Grande Norte, Ctr Biociencias, Natal, RN BR-59072970 Brazil
Cornell Univ, Weill Med Coll, Div Int Med & Infect Dis, New York, NY USA
Ludwig Inst Canc Res, New York, NY USA
Univ Calif Los Angeles, Sch Med, Los Angeles, CA USA
Vet Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Syst, Div Infect Dis, Los Angeles, CA USA
Koninklin Inst Tropen, Royal Trop Inst, KIT Biomed Res, Amsterdam, Netherlands

E-mail Addresses: tabet@usp.br Publisher:  AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY, 1752 N ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-2904 USA

Subject Category:  MICROBIOLOGY IDS Number:  805JS

ISSN:  0021-9193