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Genome sequence of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague

Genome sequence of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague

4 OCTOBER 2001 | J. Parkhill†, B. W. Wren†, N. R. Thomson†, R. W. Tittball†, M. T. G. Holden†, M. B. Prentice†, M. Sebaiha†, K. D. James†, C. Churcher†, K. L. Mungall†, S. Baker†, D. Basham†, S. D. Bentley†, K. Brooks†, A. M. Cerdeno-Tarraga†, T. Chillingworth†, A. Cronin†, R. M. Davies†, P. Davis†, G. Dougan†, T. Feltwell†, N. Hamlin†, S. Holroyd†, K. Jages†, A. V. Karlyshev†, S. Leather†, S. Moule†, P. C. F. Oyston†, M. Quail†, K. Rutherford†, M. Simmonds†, J. Skelton†, K. Stevens†, S. Whitehead† & B. G. Barrell†
The article reports the complete genome sequence of *Yersinia pestis* strain CO92, the causative agent of plague. The genome consists of a 4.65-Mb chromosome and three plasmids, with an unusually high number of insertion sequences and anomalies in GC base-composition bias, indicating frequent intragenomic recombination. Many genes were acquired from other bacteria and viruses, including adhesins, secretion systems, and insecticidal toxins. The genome contains around 150 pseudogenes, many of which are remnants of a redundant enteropathogenic lifestyle. The evidence of ongoing genome fluidity, expansion, and decay suggests that *Y. pestis* has undergone large-scale genetic flux, providing insights into the evolution of highly virulent pathogens. The study also highlights the horizontal gene acquisition and gene loss in *Y. pestis*, with many pseudogenes encoding surface-expressed antigens or exported proteins. The genome sequence reveals a pathogen that has undergone significant genetic changes, reflecting its transition from a gastrointestinal pathogen to a systemic and often fatal disease-causing agent.The article reports the complete genome sequence of *Yersinia pestis* strain CO92, the causative agent of plague. The genome consists of a 4.65-Mb chromosome and three plasmids, with an unusually high number of insertion sequences and anomalies in GC base-composition bias, indicating frequent intragenomic recombination. Many genes were acquired from other bacteria and viruses, including adhesins, secretion systems, and insecticidal toxins. The genome contains around 150 pseudogenes, many of which are remnants of a redundant enteropathogenic lifestyle. The evidence of ongoing genome fluidity, expansion, and decay suggests that *Y. pestis* has undergone large-scale genetic flux, providing insights into the evolution of highly virulent pathogens. The study also highlights the horizontal gene acquisition and gene loss in *Y. pestis*, with many pseudogenes encoding surface-expressed antigens or exported proteins. The genome sequence reveals a pathogen that has undergone significant genetic changes, reflecting its transition from a gastrointestinal pathogen to a systemic and often fatal disease-causing agent.
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