Publication details
Genome differences between Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue.
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2011 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Background Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue (TPE) strains, the causative agent of yaws, are closely related to syphilis causing strains of Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA). Although clinical symptoms of both diseases differ, bacteria of both subspecies cannot be distinguished by morphology or serology and immunology testing. The whole genome fingerprinting technique identified more than 99% DNA identity between TPA and TPE strains. Objective High quality whole genome sequences of TPE strains are required to precisely define genetic differences between TPA and TPE. Methods Whole genome sequencing methods comprising pyrosequencing (454 Life Sciences), Solexa technology (Illumina), comparative genome sequencing approach (CGS, Nimblegen) and Sanger sequencing were used for sequencing of TPE genomes (SamoaD, CDC-2, Gauthier). Whole genome sequences of TPE strains were compared to sequences of TPA strains (Nichols, Fraser et al. 1998; SS14, Matějková et al. 2007; DAL-1, unpublished). Results A set of 91 annotated TPE proteins (9.3%) contained 2 or more amino acid replacements or other major sequence changes in comparison with TPA proteins. Genes encoding putative virulence factors and hypothetical proteins contained the highest percentage of sequentially divergent proteins when compared to other proteins of known or predicted function. Altogether, 13 pseudogenes were found in the TPE genomes and two TPE genes showed reverted frameshift mutations (TP0009, TP0316). Conclusions Genomic differences between TPE and TPA pathogens were defined. Divergent genes are candidates for virulence determinants of syphilitic treponemes. The specific sequence changes are suitable targets for clinical diagnostics of individual strains. |
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