Macrophage Responses to B. Anthracis

Abstract

Using DNA microarrays, we have established the gene expression patterns of B. anthracis cells throughout the entire process of sporulation. Over 2,000 genes displayed growth-phase dependent gene expression, 900 of these corresponding to sporulation-specific gene expression events. In a separate study, we compared 19 strains from the B. cereus group to B. anthracis, Ames using comparative genome hybridization (CGH). This comparison indicated that horizontal gene acquisition within this group of bacteria, has strongly influenced the evolution of B. anthracis. Horizontal acquisition and diversity of gene content was more variable on the virulence plasmids compared to the chromosome. With respect to the chromosome alone, variability was more pronounced in the 1.5 Mb region flanking the replication termini. Several B. anthracis specific sequences were identified and represent potentially useful markers for discriminating B. anthracis from other related and un-related bacterial species.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 29, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428855

Entities

People

  • Scott N. Peterson

Organizations

  • J. Craig Venter Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acquisition
  • Bacteria
  • Cells
  • Detection
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Dna Microarrays
  • Gene Expression
  • Hybridization
  • Infection
  • Macrophages
  • Pathogenic Bacteria
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Proteins
  • Sequences
  • Virulence
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.