Frequent homologous recombination events in Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE/PPE multigene families: Potential role in antigenic variability
Date
2008
Authors
Karboul A.
Mazza A.
Gey Van Pittius N.C.
Ho J.L.
Brousseau R.
Mardassi H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
The PE and PPE (PE/PPE) multigene families of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are particularly GC-rich and share extensive homologous repetitive sequences. We hypothesized that they may undergo homologous recombination events, a mechanism rarely described in the natural evolution of mycobacteria. To test our hypothesis, we developed a specific oligonucleotide-based microarray targeting nearly all of the PE/PPE genes, aimed at detecting signals for homologous recombination. Such a microarray has never before been reported due to the multiplicity and highly repetitive and homologous nature of these sequences. Application of the microarray to a collection of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (n = 33) representing prevalent spoligotype strain families in Tunisia allowed successful detection of six deleted genomic regions involving a total of two PE and seven PPE genes. Some of these deleted genes are known to be immunodominant or involved in virulence. The four precisely determined deletions were flanked by 400- to 500-bp stretches of nearly identical sequences lying mainly at the conserved N-terminal region of the PE/PPE genes. These highly homologous sequences thus serve as substrates to mediate both intergenic and intragenic homologous recombination events, indicating an important function in generating strain variation. Importantly, all recombination events yielded a new inframe fusion chimeric gene. Hence, homologous recombination within and between PE/PPE genes likely increased their antigenic variability, which may have profound implications in pathogenicity and/or host adaptation. The finding of high prevalence (∼45% and ∼58%) for at least two of the genomic deletions suggests that they likely confer advantageous biological attributes. Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Description
Keywords
antigenic variation, article, bacterial virulence, base pairing, controlled study, DNA microarray, gene deletion, gene sequence, homologous recombination, multigene family, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, nonhuman, outcome assessment, pathogenicity, priority journal, Antigenic Variation, Antigens, Bacterial, Bacterial Proteins, Chromosome Mapping, Gene Deletion, Genetic Variation, Genome, Bacterial, Multigene Family, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Recombination, Genetic, Tunisia, Corynebacterineae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Citation
Journal of Bacteriology
190
23
190
23