Publication details
Whole genome sequence of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum strain Mexico A
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| Year of publication | 2011 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| Citation | |
| Description | Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA) is the causative agent of syphilis and is known as stealth pathogen for its ability to avoid immune response. A major advancement in research of this enigmatic bacterium was determination of whole genome sequence of TPA strain Nichols. Up to this date another two sequences of TPA strains were revealed. In parallel, genomes of Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue (TPE) strains have been sequenced. TPE is the causative agent of yaws. Although syphilis and yaws are diseases with distinct clinical manifestations, genomic differences between TPA and TPE strains are minimal (0.02%). Here we present whole genome sequence of TPA strain Mexico A, which in some areas combines sequences from both TPA and TPE strains. The Mexico A genome was sequenced by Illumina (Solexa), a new generation sequencing method, and by Sanger sequencing. The length of Mexico A genome was determined to 1 140 041 bp, being the largest TPA genome. Whole genome sequence of TPA strain Mexico A was compared with genomes of TPA (Nichols, SS14 and Chicago) and TPE (Samoa D, Gauthier, CDC-2) strains. There are two mosaic genes in the Mexico A genome – TP0326 and TP0488. TP0326 encodes outer membrane protein, which is essential for membrane biogenesis, and TP0488 encodes methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein. Both proteins are significantly expressed during experimental rabbit infection and belong to small group of treponemal outer membrane proteins. Mosaic character of these genes is probably caused by accepting part of DNA from TPE strain during syphilis and yaws co-infection. It is the first documented evidence of horizontal gene transfer in Treponema pallidum species. |
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