Differentially Evolved Genes of Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands: Insights into the Mechanism of Host Specificity in Salmonella
2008

Understanding Host Specificity in Salmonella

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Eswarappa Sandeepa M., Janice Jessin, Nagarajan Arvindhan G., Balasundaram Sudhagar V., Karnam Guruswamy, Dixit Narendra M., Chakravortty Dipshikha

Primary Institution: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

Hypothesis

The genes that confer host specificity in Salmonella enterica must have evolved differentially in different serovars in response to the differential influences of their specific hosts.

Conclusion

The study identifies six genes that play important roles in conferring host specificity to different serovars of Salmonella enterica.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study identified six differentially evolved genes that contribute to host specificity.
  • Genes encoding translocon proteins of SPI-1 and SPI-2 are differentially evolved.
  • Human adapted serovars have evolved unique versions of these genes.

Takeaway

Some types of Salmonella bacteria are better at infecting certain animals than others, and this study found specific genes that help them do that.

Methodology

A molecular evolution and phylogenetics based approach was used to identify differentially evolved genes in various Salmonella serovars.

Limitations

The approach may not yield an exhaustive list of genes that underlie host specificity.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003829

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication