Abstract
Abstract : Using DNA microarrays, we have established the gene expression patterns of B. anthracis cells throughout the entire process of sporulation. Over 2,000 genes displayed growth-phase dependent gene expression, 900 of these corresponding to sporulation-specific gene expression events. In a separate study, we compared 19 strains from the B. cereus group to B. anthracis, Ames using comparative genome hybridization (CGH). This comparison indicated that horizontal gene acquisition within this group of bacteria, has strongly influenced the evolution of B. anthracis. Horizontal acquisition and diversity of gene content was more variable on the virulence plasmids compared to the chromosome. With respect to the chromosome alone, variability was more pronounced in the 1.5 Mb region flanking the replication termini. Several B. anthracis specific sequences were identified and represent potentially useful markers for discriminating B. anthracis from other related and un-related bacterial species.
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