How to become a uropathogen: Comparative genomic analysis of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0603038103
• Publication Date: 2006-08-16T02:48:21Z
• Authors: Elzbieta Brzuszki...; Holger Brüggemann; Heiko Liesegang; Melanie Emmerth; Tobias Ölschläger; Gábor Nagy; Kaj Albermann; Christian Wagner; Carmen Buchrieser; Levente Emődy; Gerhard Gottschalk; Jörg Hacker; Ulrich Dobrindt
• Keywords: Strain (injury); Pathogenicity island; Genomic island; Comparative Genomics

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain 536 (O6:K15:H31) is one of the model organisms extraintestinal pathogenic E. (ExPEC). To analyze this strain's genetic basis urovirulence, we sequenced entire genome and compared data with sequence UPEC CFT073 (O6:K2:H1) to available genomes nonpathogenic MG1655 (K-12) enterohemorrhagic coli. The approximately 292 kb smaller than that CFT073. Genomic differences between both are mainly restricted large pathogenicity islands, parts which unique or Genome comparison underlines repeated insertions deletions in certain contribute evolution. Furthermore, 427 432 genes only present UPEC, respectively. majority latter encoded within horizontally acquired DNA regions scattered all over genome. Several these involved increasing pathogens' fitness adaptability. Analysis virulence-associated traits expressed two O6 strains, together comparison, demonstrate marked phenotypic variability among UPEC. ability accumulate express a variety distinguishes ExPEC from many commensals forms for individual virulence potential ExPEC. Accordingly, instead common mechanism, different ways exist cause disease.