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Microbial genome analysis: insights into virulence, host adaptation and evolution

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 1, pages 30–39 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Genome analysis of microbial pathogens has provided unique insights into their virulence, host adaptation and evolution. Common themes have emerged, including lateral gene transfer among enteric pathogens, genome decay among obligate intracellular pathogens and antigenic variation among mucosal pathogens. The advent of post-genomic approaches and the sequencing of the human genome will enable scientists to investigate the complex and dynamic interplay between host and pathogen. This wealth of information will catalyse the development of new intervention strategies to reduce the burden of microbial-related disease.

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Figure 1: Naturally occurring structural variation in Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) mediated by the intragenic homopolymeric G tract of the wlaN contingency gene16.
Figure 2: Signature-tagged mutagenesis — high-throughput analysis of in vivo-expressed genes.
Figure 3: Principles of transcriptome analysis using a DNA microarray.

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Acknowledgements

Work in the author's laboratory is supported by the BBSRC, the Wellcome Trust and Beowulf Genomics. I acknowledge Dennis Linton and Elaine Allan for helpful comments and a critical review of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK

    Brendan W. Wren

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  1. Brendan W. Wren
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Related links

Related links

GENOME PROJECTS

Borrelia burgdorferi B31

Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168

Chlamydia pneumoniae CWL029

Chlamydia pneumoniae AR39

Chlamydia trachomatis D/UW-3/Cx

Chlamydia trachomatis MoPn

Haemophilus influenzae Rd

Helicobacter pylori 26695

Helicobacter pylori J99

Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e

Mycobacterium leprae

Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

Mycoplasma genitalium G-37

Mycoplasma pneumoniae M129

Neisseria meningitidis A Z2491

Neisseria meningitidis B MC58

Rickettsia prowazekii Madrid E

Streptococcus pyogenes M1

Treponema pallidum Nichols

Vibrio cholerae N16961

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Bacillus subtilis

Yersinia pestis

Escherichia coli

FURTHER INFORMATION

TIGR

Genomes online

Sanger Centre

Pasteur Institute

Los Alamos sexually transmitted pathogens database

Genomics: a global resource

Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes

Base-peak mass spectrometry

E. coli proteome

Australian proteome analysis facility

The Brown lab microarray guide

Bacterial microarrays at St. George's

Virtual genome centre

MIPS genome annotation

Sanger sequence viewer

Wren laboratory homepage

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE SCIENCES

Immune mechanisms against extracellular pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance: control

Glossary

PATHOGEN

An organism, generally a microorganism, that can cause disease in animals and plants.

VIRULENCE FACTOR

In the strict sense, a determinant that causes damage to the host cell (for example, an exotoxin). In the broader sense, a determinant required for the survival of the pathogen in the host (for example, the ability to acquire iron).

IMMUNOGEN

An antigen that produces a significant immunological response.

LATERAL GENE TRANSFER

The transfer of DNA, frequently cassettes of genes, between organisms.

ENTERIC PATHOGEN

A pathogen that resides in the gastrointestinal tract.

COMPETENCE

The ability of bacteria to take up exogenous DNA molecules.

EXOTOXINS

Generally secreted proteins that cause damage to the host cell.

OBLIGATE INTRACELLULAR PATHOGEN

A pathogen that lives exclusively within the host, and depends on the host for survival.

FASTIDIOUS INTRACELLULAR PATHOGEN

A pathogen that lives within the host and has stringent growth requirements.

LEWIS ANTIGENS

Fucosylated carbohydrate antigens usually found on the surface of eukaryotic cells. They are structurally related to human ABH blood group systems.

MUCOSAL PATHOGEN

A pathogen that frequents the mucosal surface (for example, nose, lungs and gastrointestinal tract) of the host.

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Wren, B. Microbial genome analysis: insights into virulence, host adaptation and evolution. Nat Rev Genet 1, 30–39 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35049551

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