Author
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Zuerner, Richard |
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Submitted to: Gordon Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The Leptospira interrogans (sensu lato) genome possesses several different species of repetitive DNA, including insertion sequences, a single species of which can comprise nearly 2% of total genomic DNA. Copies of IS elements are often found on polymorphic fragments, suggesting that these elements are transpostionally active and/or are sites for homologous recombination leading to chromosomal rearrangments. The genome has two distinct chromosomal replicons, approximately 4.4 Mbp and 350 Kbp in size, and rearrangements in the large replicon appear to be common. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) are commonly seen among related strains, and such RFLPs correlate with biological differences such as antigenic variation or adaption to new host species. It has been suggested that there may be a cause and affect relationship in which phenotypic changes are achieved via rearrangements. To gain insight into the potential role of IS elements in these chromosomal rearrangements, several IS elements have been isolated from L. interrogans strains and are being characterized. Evidence that these elements play a role in chromosomal rearrangements was gained through analysis of two antigenic variants (GT210CO and GT210CC). Both antigenic variants have chromosomal rearrangements which distinguish them from the parental strain RZ11. |
