Identification of bacterial pathogenic gene classes subject to diversifying selection
Loading...
Date
2009
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Availability of genome sequences for numerous bacterial species comprising of different bacterial strains allows elucidation of species and strain specific adaptations that facilitate their survival in widely fluctuating micro-environments and enhance their pathogenic potential. Different bacterial species use different strategies in their pathogenesis and the pathogenic potential of a bacterial species is dependent on its genomic complement of virulence factors. A bacterial virulence factor, within the context of this study, is defined as any endogenous protein product encoded by a gene that aids in the adhesion, invasion, colonization, persistence and pathogenesis of a bacterium within a host. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bacterial virulence genes are undergoing diversifying evolution to counteract the rapid adaptability of its host’s immune defences. Genome sequences of pathogenic bacterial species and strains provide unique opportunities to study the action of diversifying selection operating on different classes of bacterial genes.
Description
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Biotechnology)
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria meningitidis, Vibrio Cholerae, Positive Selection, Virulence Gene, Nucleotide Diversity, Statistical Enrichment, Functional Annotation, Biological Processes, Metabolic Pathways