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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #182562
Title: VSH-1, A PROPHAGE-LIKE, GENE TRANSFER AGENT OF BRACHYSPIRA HYODYSENTERIAE AND (PROBABLY) OF OTHER BRACHYSPIRA SPECIES

Author
item Stanton, Thaddeus
item MATSON, E - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Humphrey, Samuel
item Zuerner, Richard
item Sharma, Vijay

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2005
Publication Date: 6/5/2005
Citation: Stanton, T.B., Matson, E.G., Humphrey, S.B., Zuerner, R.L., Sharma, V.K. 2005. VSH-1, a prophage-like, gene transfer agent of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and (probably) of other Brachyspira species [abstract]. Third International Conference on Colonic Spirochaetal Infections in Animals and Humans. p. 15-16.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Brachyspira hyodysenteriae cells contain genes for VSH-1, a prophage-like, gene transfer agent. VSH-1 virions package random 7.5 kb fragments of B. hyo. genomic DNA, are non-infectious, and transduce genes between B. hyo. cells. Genes for VSH-1 capsid, tail, and lysis proteins form contiguous modules spanning 16.3 kb of DNA and are co-transcribed. Details of VSH-1 induction are beginning to be revealed through Quantitative RT-PCR experiments. VSH-1-like agents are widely distributed among Brachyspira species and are likely to mediate horizontal gene transfer within these species. Our research, hopefully, will provide the basis for and stimulate further investigations of these novel genetic elements.