The bacterial pan-genome: a new paradigm in microbiology

Authors

  • Alex Mira Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health (CSISP), Valencia, Spain
  • Ana B. Martín-Cuadrado Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain
  • Giuseppe D’Auria Joint Unit of Research in Genomics and Health, Centre for Public Health Research (CSISP) and Cavanilles Institute for Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. CIBER on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBEResp)
  • Francisco Rodríguez-Valera Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain

Keywords:

bacterial pan-genome, bacterial species, bacterial evolution

Abstract

Bacterial strains belonging to the same species vary considerably in gene content. Thus, the genetic repertoire of a given species (its “pan-genome”) is much larger than the gene content of individual strains. These variations in DNA material, together with differences in genomic structure and nucleotide polymorphisms among strains, confer upon prokaryotic species a phenomenal adaptability. Although the approach of sequencing multiple strains from a single species remains the main and often easiest way to study the pan-genome, feasible alternatives include those related to DNA hybridization. In other cases, the use of metagenomic sequences is already applicable by data mining from the growing metagenomic databases. Eventually, the single-cell genome approach might be the ideal solution. The pan-genome concept has important consequences for the way we understand bacterial evolution, adaptation, and population structure, as well as for more applied issues such as vaccine design or the identification of virulence genes. [Int Microbiol 2010; 13(2):45-57]

Author Biographies

Alex Mira, Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health (CSISP), Valencia, Spain

Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health (CSISP), Valencia, Spain

Ana B. Martín-Cuadrado, Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain

Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain

Giuseppe D’Auria, Joint Unit of Research in Genomics and Health, Centre for Public Health Research (CSISP) and Cavanilles Institute for Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. CIBER on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBEResp)

Joint Unit of Research in
Genomics and Health, Centre for Public Health Research (CSISP) and Cavanilles Institute for Biodiversity and
Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. CIBER on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBEResp).

Francisco Rodríguez-Valera, Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain

Evolutionary Genomics Group, Miguel Hernandez University, San Juan, Alicante, Spain

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Published

2010-09-20

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2010)

Section

Review Articles

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