Cereulide synthetase gene cluster from emetic Bacillus cereus: Structure and location on a mega virulence plasmid related to Bacillus anthracis toxin plasmid pXO1
2006
Cereulide Synthetase Gene Cluster in Bacillus Cereus
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Monika Ehling-Schulz, Martina Fricker, Harald Grallert, Petra Rieck, Martin Wagner, Siegfried Scherer
Hypothesis
The study aims to sequence and characterize the genetic locus responsible for cereulide synthesis in Bacillus cereus.
Conclusion
The cereulide synthetase gene cluster is located on a pXO1-like virulence plasmid and is restricted to emetic toxin producers.
Supporting Evidence
- The cereulide synthetase gene cluster encodes the enzymatic machinery required for the biosynthesis of cereulide.
- The ces gene locus is flanked by genetic regions with high homology to virulence plasmids of B. cereus and related species.
- PFGE and Southern hybridization showed that the ces genes are restricted to emetic B. cereus.
Takeaway
This study found the genes that make a harmful toxin in some bacteria, showing they are on a special piece of DNA that helps the bacteria cause sickness.
Methodology
The complete sequence of the cereulide synthetase gene cluster was dissected using module jumping and inverse PCR.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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