Author
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Zuerner, Richard |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The genome of Leptospira interrogans consists of two chromosomal replicons. Comparative analysis of the large (4.4 Mbp) replicon shows that closely related serovars have undergone large rearrangements. This suggests that there is considerable flexibility in genetic organization in L. interrogans. The L. interrogans genome also contains several different classes of repetitive DNA, including, but not limited to, insertion sequences (IS). Often copies of IS elements are found on polymorphic fragments, suggesting that these elements may play a role in generating chromosomal rearrangements. To better understand the possible involvement of these elements in altering genetic organization IS elements from L. interrogans serovar pomona type kennewicki were cloned and sequenced. Two distinct IS3-like elements were isolated, IS1500 and IS1501. Relationships between these elements and other IS3-like elements were determined. It appears that on two separate occasions, IS3-like elements were introduced into the L. interrogans genome. Both IS1500 and IS1501 are found on polymorphic fragments, and IS1501 appears to have transposed during the selection of antigenic variants serovar pomona. Coinciding with selection of antigenic variants was the generation of a chromosomal rearrangement, on which IS sequences are found, suggesting that both transposition and chromosomal rearrangement occurred simultaneously. |
