Chronology of emergence of the genus Leptospira and over-representation of gene families enriched by vitamin B2, B12 biosynthesis, cell adhesion and external encapsulating structure in L. interrogans isolates from asymptomatic dogs.

In this study, we performed chronology analysis to look for insight into the emergence of Leptospira species, focusing on L. interrogans, and investigated gene gain and loss related to their adaptation in strains isolated from asymptomatic dogs. Chronology analysis revealed that the emergence of L. interrogans was around 53.7 million years ago (MYA), corresponding to the Paleogene period that coincided with an optimal climatic temperature and the evolution of suitable mammalian hosts. Gene families encoding for vitamin B2, B12 biosynthesis, cell adhesion and external encapsulating structure were found to be enriched in L. interrogans isolated from the urine of asymptomatic dogs. The activity of these gene families may have favored adaptations resulting in chronic infections. PMID: 30974265 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30974265?dopt=Abstract

Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - April 7, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Kurilung A, Keeratipusana C, Horiike T, Suriyaphol P, Hampson DJ, Prapasarakul N Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research