Comparative genome sequencing for discovery of novel polymorphisms in Bacillus anthracis

Science. 2002 Jun 14;296(5575):2028-33. doi: 10.1126/science.1071837. Epub 2002 May 9.

Abstract

Comparison of the whole-genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis isolated from a victim of a recent bioterrorist anthrax attack with a reference reveals 60 new markers that include single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), inserted or deleted sequences, and tandem repeats. Genome comparison detected four high-quality SNPs between the two sequenced B. anthracis chromosomes and seven differences among different preparations of the reference genome. These markers have been tested on a collection of anthrax isolates and were found to divide these samples into distinct families. These results demonstrate that genome-based analysis of microbial pathogens will provide a powerful new tool for investigation of infectious disease outbreaks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / microbiology
  • Bacillus anthracis / classification
  • Bacillus anthracis / genetics*
  • Bacillus anthracis / isolation & purification
  • Bacillus anthracis / pathogenicity
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • Base Sequence
  • Bioterrorism
  • Chromosome Inversion
  • Computational Biology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Minisatellite Repeats
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Plasmids
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Species Specificity
  • Transposases / genetics
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Transposases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AE011190
  • GENBANK/AE011191