Bacteria Genomes - MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM
Mycoplasma
genitalium was the first and smallest sequenced
genome, it causes reproductive-tract infections
M. genitalium is a
Gram-positive parasitic
bacterium. It adheres to host cells by means of adhesin
proteins.
Mycoplasmas are members of the class Mollicutes
and comprise a large group of bacteria which lack
a cell wall, have small genomes, and a characteristically
low G + C content. Because there is no cell wall they
were at first thought to be virus, but are now considered
primitive bacteria. Wall-less bacteria are much more
difficult to kill because they lack the lipid layer
surrounding them.
These
diverse organisms are parasites for a wide range of
hosts including humans, animals, insects, plants,
and cells grown in tissue culture. Aside from their
role as pathogens, mycoplasmas are of interest because
they are believed to represent a minimal life form.
The
Mycoplasma genitalium genome is the smallest
known genome of any free-living organism and was the
first genome to be sequenced.
Mycoplasma
genitalium, is believed to be the cause of non-gonococcal
urethritis (NGU) and that the urogenital tract may
be the primary site of infection.
References:
Science
270 (5235):397-403 (1995)
http://www.er.doe.gov/feature_articles_2001/June/Decades/77-pf.html
http://www.tigr.org/CMR2/BackGround/gmg.html
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