Do Salmonella carry spare tyres?
Trends Microbiol
; 16(4): 142-8, 2008 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18375124
ABSTRACT
Salmonellae are enterobacteria that have the unique ability to change their flagellar composition by switching expression among two loci that encode the major flagellin protein. This property is not available to all Salmonella, but is species, subspecies and serotype specific. Curiously, the subsequent loss of the second locus in some lineages of Salmonella has apparently been tolerated and, indeed, has led to considerable success for some lineages. We discuss here an evolutionary model for maintenance of this unique function and the possible evolutionary advantages of loss or preservation of this mechanism. We hypothesize that the second flagellin locus is a genetic 'spare tyre' used in particular environmental circumstances.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Salmonella
/
Variação Genética
/
Evolução Biológica
/
Flagelina
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trends Microbiol
Assunto da revista:
MICROBIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos