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The genome of canarypox virus.

Here we present the genomic sequence, with analysis, of a canarypox virus (CNPV). The 365-kbp CNPV genome contains 328 potential genes in a central region and in 6.5-kbp inverted terminal repeats. Comparison with the previously characterized fowlpox virus (FWPV) genome revealed avipoxvirus-specific genomic features, including large genomic rearrangements relative to other chordopoxviruses and novel cellular homologues and gene families. CNPV also contains many genomic differences with FWPV, including over 75 kbp of additional sequence, 39 genes lacking FWPV homologues, and an average of 47% amino acid divergence between homologues. Differences occur primarily in terminal and, notably, localized internal genomic regions and suggest significant genomic diversity among avipoxviruses. Divergent regions contain gene families, which overall comprise over 49% of the CNPV genome and include genes encoding 51 proteins containing ankyrin repeats, 26 N1R/p28-like proteins, and potential immunomodulatory proteins, including those similar to transforming growth factor beta and beta-nerve growth factor. CNPV genes lacking homologues in FWPV encode proteins similar to ubiquitin, interleukin-10-like proteins, tumor necrosis factor receptor, PIR1 RNA phosphatase, thioredoxin binding protein, MyD116 domain proteins, circovirus Rep proteins, and the nucleotide metabolism proteins thymidylate kinase and ribonucleotide reductase small subunit. These data reveal genomic differences likely affecting differences in avipoxvirus virulence and host range, and they will likely be useful for the design of improved vaccine vectors.

Animals↗

Visualization of A- and B-genome chromosomes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) x jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) backcross progenies.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) can cross with each other, and their self-fertile backcross progenies frequently have extra chromosomes and chromosome segments, presumably retained from wheat, raising the possibility that a herbicide resistance gene might transfer from wheat to jointed goatgrass. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to clarify the origin of these extra chromosomes. By using T. durum DNA (AABB genome) as a probe and jointed goatgrass DNA (CCDD genome) as blocking DNA, one, two, and three A- or B-genome chromosomes were identified in three BC2S2 individuals where 2n = 29, 30, and 31 chromosomes, respectively. A translocation between wheat and jointed goatgrass chromosomes was also detected in an individual with 30 chromosomes. In pollen mother cells with meiotic configuration of 14 II + 2 I, the two univalents were identified as being retained from the A or B genome of wheat. By using Ae. markgrafii DNA (CC genome) as a probe and wheat DNA (AABBDD genome) as blocking DNA. 14 C-genome chromosomes were visualized in all BC2S2 individuals. The GISH procedure provides a powerful tool to detect the A or B-genome chromatin in a jointed goatgrass background, making it possible to assess the risk of transfer of herbicide resistance genes located on the A or B genome of wheat to jointed goatgrass.

Chromosome Mapping↗

B chromosomes and genome size in flowering plants.

B chromosomes are extra chromosomes found in some, but not all, individuals within a species, often maintained by giving themselves an advantage in transmission, i.e. they drive. Here we show that the presence of B chromosomes correlates to and varies strongly and positively with total genome size (excluding the Bs and corrected for ploidy) both at a global level and via a comparison of independent taxonomic contrasts. B chromosomes are largely absent from species with small genomes; however, species with large genomes are studied more frequently than species with small genomes and Bs are more likely to be reported in well-studied species. We controlled for intensity of study using logistic regression. This regression analysis also included effects of degree of outbreeding, which is positively associated with Bs and genome size, and chromosome number, which is negatively associated with Bs and genome size, as well as variable ploidy (more than one ploidy level in a species). Genome size, breeding system and chromosome number all contribute independently to the distribution of B chromosomes, while variable ploidy does not have a significant effect. The genome size correlates are consistent with reduced selection against extra DNA in species with large genomes and with increased generation of B sequences from large A genomes.

Chromosomes, Plant↗

Polyploidization-induced genome variation in triticale.

Polyploidization-induced genome variation in triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) was investigated using both AFLP and RFLP analyses. The AFLP analyses were implemented with both EcoRI-MseI (E-M) and PstI-MseI (P-M) primer combinations, which, because of their relative differences in sensitivity to cytosine methylation, primarily amplify repetitive and low-copy sequences, respectively. The results showed that the genomic sequences in triticale involved a great degree of variation including both repetitive and low-copy sequences. The frequency of losing parental bands was much higher than the frequency of gaining novel bands, suggesting that sequence elimination might be a major force causing genome variation in triticale. In all cases, variation in E-M primer-amplified parental bands was more frequent in triticale than that using P-M primers, suggesting that repetitive sequences were more involved in variation than low-copy sequences. The data also showed that the wheat (Triticum spp.) genomes were relatively highly conserved in triticales, especially in octoploid triticales, whereas the rye (Secale cereale L.) genome consistently demonstrated a very high level of genomic sequence variation (68%-72%) regardless of the triticale ploidy levels or primers used. In addition, when a parental AFLP band was present in both wheat and rye, the tendency of the AFLP band to be present in triticale was much higher than when it was present in only one of the progenitors. Furthermore, the cDNA-probed RFLP analyses showed that over 97% of the wheat coding sequences were maintained in triticale, whereas only about 61.6% of the rye coding sequences were maintained, suggesting that the rye genome variation in triticale also involved a high degree of rye coding sequence changes. The data also suggested that concerted evolution might occur in the genomic sequences of triticale. In addition, the observed genome variation in wheat-rye addition lines was similar to that in triticale, suggesting that wheat-rye addition lines can be used to thoroughly study the genome evolution of polyploid triticale.

Biological Evolution↗

A new experimental approach for studying bacterial genomic island evolution identifies island genes with bacterial host-specific expression patterns.

BACKGROUND: Genomic islands are regions of bacterial genomes that have been acquired by horizontal transfer and often contain blocks of genes that function together for specific processes. Recently, it has become clear that the impact of genomic islands on the evolution of different bacterial species is significant and represents a major force in establishing bacterial genomic variation. However, the study of genomic island evolution has been mostly performed at the sequence level using computer software or hybridization analysis to compare different bacterial genomic sequences. We describe here a novel experimental approach to study the evolution of species-specific bacterial genomic islands that identifies island genes that have evolved in such a way that they are differentially-expressed depending on the bacterial host background into which they are transferred. RESULTS: We demonstrate this approach by using a "test" genomic island that we have cloned from the Salmonella typhimurium genome (island 4305) and transferred to a range of Gram negative bacterial hosts of differing evolutionary relationships to S. typhimurium. Systematic analysis of the expression of the island genes in the different hosts compared to proper controls allowed identification of genes with genera-specific expression patterns. The data from the analysis can be arranged in a matrix to give an expression "array" of the island genes in the different bacterial backgrounds. A conserved 19-bp DNA site was found upstream of at least two of the differentially-expressed island genes. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic analysis of horizontally-transferred genomic island gene expression in a broad range of Gram negative hosts. We also present evidence in this study that the IS200 element found in island 4305 in S. typhimurium strain LT2 was inserted after the island had already been acquired by the S. typhimurium lineage and that this element is likely not involved in the integration or excision of island 4305. CONCLUSION: The "clone-and-transfer" approach of evolutionary study identifies genes whose expression patterns indicate the existence of genera-specific regulatory mechanisms that influence the expression of horizontally-transferred DNA sections. The results provide key information that can be used to facilitate the identification of these regulatory mechanisms.

Bacteria↗

Analysis of the genome-wide variations among multiple strains of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.

BACKGROUND: The Gram-negative, xylem-limited phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for causing economically important diseases in grapevine, citrus and many other plant species. Despite its economic impact, relatively little is known about the genomic variations among strains isolated from different hosts and their influence on the population genetics of this pathogen. With the availability of genome sequence information for four strains, it is now possible to perform genome-wide analyses to identify and categorize such DNA variations and to understand their influence on strain functional divergence. RESULTS: There are 1,579 genes and 194 non-coding homologous sequences present in the genomes of all four strains, representing a 76. 2% conservation of the sequenced genome. About 60% of the X. fastidiosa unique sequences exist as tandem gene clusters of 6 or more genes. Multiple alignments identified 12,754 SNPs and 14,449 INDELs in the 1528 common genes and 20,779 SNPs and 10,075 INDELs in the 194 non-coding sequences. The average SNP frequency was 1.08 x 10(-2) per base pair of DNA and the average INDEL frequency was 2.06 x 10(-2) per base pair of DNA. On an average, 60.33% of the SNPs were synonymous type while 39.67% were non-synonymous type. The mutation frequency, primarily in the form of external INDELs was the main type of sequence variation. The relative similarity between the strains was discussed according to the INDEL and SNP differences. The number of genes unique to each strain were 60 (9a5c), 54 (Dixon), 83 (Ann1) and 9 (Temecula-1). A sub-set of the strain specific genes showed significant differences in terms of their codon usage and GC composition from the native genes suggesting their xenologous origin. Tandem repeat analysis of the genomic sequences of the four strains identified associations of repeat sequences with hypothetical and phage related functions. CONCLUSION: INDELs and strain specific genes have been identified as the main source of variations among strains, with individual strains showing different rates of genome evolution. Based on these genome comparisons, it appears that the Pierce's disease strain Temecula-1 genome represents the ancestral genome of the X. fastidiosa. Results of this analysis are publicly available in the form of a web database.

Analysis of Variance↗

A genome-wide survey of segmental duplications that mediate common human genetic variation of chromosomal architecture.

Recent studies have identified a small number of genomic rearrangements that occur frequently in the general population. Bioinformatics tools are now available for systematic genome-wide surveys of higher-order structures predisposing to such common variations in genomic architecture. Segmental duplications (SDs) constitute up to 5 per cent of the genome and play an important role in generating additional rearrangements and in disease aetiology. We conducted a genome-wide database search for a form of SD, palindromic segmental duplications (PSDs), which consist of paired, inverted duplications, and which predispose to inversions, duplications and deletions. The survey was complemented by a search for SDs in tandem orientation (TSDs) that can mediate duplications and deletions but not inversions. We found more than 230 distinct loci with higher-order genomic structure that can mediate genomic variation, of these about 180 contained a PSD. A number of these sites were previously identified as harbouring common inversions or as being associated with specific genomic diseases characterised by duplication, deletions or inversions. Most of the regions, however, were previously unidentified; their characterisation should identify further common rearrangements and may indicate localisations for additional genomic disorders. The widespread distribution of complex chromosomal architecture suggests a potentially high degree of plasticity of the human genome and could uncover another level of genetic variation within human populations.

Chromosomes, Human↗

Paucity of chimeric gene-transposable element transcripts in the Drosophila melanogaster genome.

BACKGROUND: Recent analysis of the human and mouse genomes has shown that a substantial proportion of protein coding genes and cis-regulatory elements contain transposable element (TE) sequences, implicating TE domestication as a mechanism for the origin of genetic novelty. To understand the general role of TE domestication in eukaryotic genome evolution, it is important to assess the acquisition of functional TE sequences by host genomes in a variety of different species, and to understand in greater depth the population dynamics of these mutational events. RESULTS: Using an in silico screen for host genes that contain TE sequences, we identified a set of 63 mature "chimeric" transcripts supported by expressed sequence tag (EST) evidence in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. We found a paucity of chimeric TEs relative to expectations derived from non-chimeric TEs, indicating that the majority (approximately 80%) of TEs that generate chimeric transcripts are deleterious and are not observed in the genome sequence. Using a pooled-PCR strategy to assay the presence of gene-TE chimeras in wild strains, we found that over half of the observed chimeric TE insertions are restricted to the sequenced strain, and approximately 15% are found at high frequencies in North American D. melanogaster populations. Estimated population frequencies of chimeric TEs did not differ significantly from non-chimeric TEs, suggesting that the distribution of fitness effects for the observed subset of chimeric TEs is indistinguishable from the general set of TEs in the genome sequence. CONCLUSION: In contrast to mammalian genomes, we found that fewer than 1% of Drosophila genes produce mRNAs that include bona fide TE sequences. This observation can be explained by the results of our population genomic analysis, which indicates that most potential chimeric TEs in D. melanogaster are deleterious but that a small proportion may contribute to the evolution of novel gene sequences such as nested or intercalated gene structures. Our results highlight the need to establish the fixity of putative cases of TE domestication identified using genome sequences in order to demonstrate their functional importance, and reveal that the contribution of TE domestication to genome evolution may vary drastically among animal taxa.

Animals↗

Functional inaccessibility of quiescent herpes simplex virus genomes.

BACKGROUND: Newly delivered herpes simplex virus genomes are subject to repression during the early stages of infection of human fibroblasts. This host defence strategy can limit virus replication and lead to long-term persistence of quiescent viral genomes. The viral immediate-early protein ICP0 acts to negate this negative regulation, thereby facilitating the onset of the viral replication cycle. Although few mechanistic details are available, the host repression machinery has been proposed to assemble the viral genome into a globally inaccessible configuration analogous to heterochromatin, blocking access to most or all trans-acting factors. The strongest evidence for this hypothesis is that ICP0-deficient virus is unable to reactivate quiescent viral genomes, despite its ability to undergo productive infection given a sufficiently high multiplicity of infection. However, recent studies have shown that quiescent infection induces a potent antiviral state, and that ICP0 plays a key role in disarming such host antiviral responses. These findings raise the possibility that cells containing quiescent viral genomes may be refractory to superinfection by ICP0-deficient virus, potentially providing an alternative explanation for the inability of such viruses to trigger reactivation. We therefore asked if ICP0-deficient virus is capable of replicating in cells that contain quiescent viral genomes. RESULTS: We found that ICP0-deficient herpes simplex virus is able to infect quiescently infected cells, leading to expression and replication of the superinfecting viral genome. Despite this productive infection, the resident quiescent viral genome was neither expressed nor replicated, unless ICP0 was provided in trans. CONCLUSION: These data document that quiescent HSV genomes fail to respond to the virally modified host transcriptional apparatus or viral DNA replication machinery provided in trans by productive HSV infection in the absence of ICP0. These results point to global repression as the basis for HSV genome quiescence, and indicate that ICP0 induces reactivation by overcoming this global barrier to the access of trans-acting factors.

Animals↗

Evolutionary dynamics of the chloroplast genome in Abutilon (Malvoideae, Malvaceae).

The genus Abutilon Mill. (Malvaceae) comprises approximately 178 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, many of which hold significant ornamental, economic, and medicinal value; yet its taxonomic classification remains challenging. In this study, six species were sequenced from herbarium specimens, and the chloroplast (cp.) genomes of ten additional species were assembled de novo from publicly available raw data. Three previously reported cp. genomes were also incorporated to characterise cp. genome structure, identify polymorphic loci, and perform phylogenetic analyses. The cp. genomes ranged from 159,458 to 160,454 bp and exhibited the typical quadripartite structure, with each genome containing 112 unique genes (78 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA) that showed conserved content and organisation. These genomes exhibited high similarity in GC content, inverted repeat boundaries, relative synonymous codon usage, amino acid frequencies, and substitution patterns. However, notable variation was observed in the total number of simple sequence repeats, ranging from 70 to 97 per genome. Selection analyses indicated predominant purifying selection, with evidence of episodic positive selection detected in rpoC2, rbcL, and ycf1. Two codons in rbcL were clade-specific and provided phylogenetic signal distinguishing Australian and Old World pantropical species. Nucleotide diversity analysis identified six highly polymorphic intergenic spacers (trnH-psbA, rps19-rpl2, psbT-pbf1, psaC-ndhD, trnR-atpA, and ndhJ-ndhK) that may be suitable for taxonomic studies. The phylogeny from maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) resolved two major clades: one comprising an exclusively Australian lineage occurring predominantly in arid and semi-arid environments, and the other a pantropical lineage spanning multiple continents. Abutilon grandifolium was recovered as sister to the remaining sampled Abutilon taxa in both ML and BI analyses, although no biogeographic origin inference can be drawn from this placement pending broader taxon sampling and integration of nuclear genomic data. These findings provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics of the cp. genome in Abutilon and offer a foundational genomic framework for refining Abutilon taxonomy.

Genome, Chloroplast↗

Genomic colinearity as a tool for plant gene isolation.

Plant genomes show genomic colinearity in spite of the tremendous variability exhibited in their genome size and chromosomal constitution. Comparative genetics can assist in isolation of a mapped gene in a large genome plant species using a small genome plant as a surrogate. Here, we describe various steps involved in the process of gene isolation using genomic colinearity. This involves fine resolution mapping in the large genome species and using common low copy number DNA markers that map to orthologous regions in small and large genome species to isolate candidate genes from the small genome species. Further, alternate strategies are described in cases where the targeted gene is absent in the orthologous region of the small genome species. We also discuss various technologies that can be used for the confirmation of candidate genes.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Rice at the forefront of plant genome informatics.

As rice genomicsdata continue to accumulate at a rapid rate, are becoming more valuable to warehouse and access large and rigorous data sets. This article gives an overview of available resources on rice bioinformatics and their role in elucidating and propagating biological and genomic information in rice. Of particular focus here is the informatics infrastructure developed at the Rice Genome Research Program (RGP) following an extensive rice genome analysis. The database named INE (Integrated Rice Genome Explorer) integrates the genetic and physical mapping information with the genome sequence being generated in collaboration with the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP). Database links are initially evaluated using an interoperable query tool to explore and compare data across the rice and maize genome databases and potential application to multiple crop database querying. A proposed logistics for interlinking these resources is presented to integrate, manipulate and analyze information on the rice genome. One of the biggest challenges of rice bioinformatics lies in the emerging role of rice as a model system among grass crop species. In view of the importance of comparative genetics in the formulation of new knowledge on plant genomes and genes, comparative bioinformatics remains an essential strategy to gain new insights on the needs and expectations on rice genomics.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Semiquantitative analysis of integrated genomes of human T-lymphotropic virus type I in asymptomatic virus carriers.

A semiquantitative estimation of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) integration by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was performed. Genomic DNA samples derived from 134 HTLV-I carriers were subjected to 40 or 60 cycles of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify the pol region of HTLV-I. The HTLV-I genome was detected by dot hybridization using a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probe for the pol region. The radioactivity of hybridized dot membranes was then counted with an RI Imaging System (Ambis Inc, San Diego, CA) and the HTLV-I genome dose was determined by comparison with standard curve for serially diluted HTLV-I genome-positive DNA. A wide range of variation of HTLV-I genome integration was observed. When the integrated genome dose was calculated as the number of HTLV-I copies per 100 PBMC, 7 carriers (5%) had more than 10 copies, 56 (42%) had 1 to 10 copies, 46 (34%) had 0.1 to 1 copy, and 24 (18%) had less than 0.1 copy. In one sample, the HTLV-I genome was undetectable, which may indicate that the integrated genome was present at less than 0.01 copies per 100 PBMC. Age- or sex-related variations in the distribution of individuals with different HTLV-I genome were rather limited. However, carriers with a high level of the HTLV-I genome were always more than 30 years old and were predominantly male (six of seven).

Aging↗

A top-down approach to whole genome visualization.

The investigation of large DNA contigs like complete chromosomes or genomes requires novel methods of data visualization. The complex information contained in a genome, particularly the relation of its individual genetic elements, needs to be accessible in a comprehensive, intelligent and intelligible manner. The yeast genome is expected to contain more than 6,000 Open Reading Frames (ORFs). As yet, the function of many of these ORFs has not been characterized satisfactorily. Also, many ORFs are found to have redundant copies elsewhere in the genome that originated from common ancestors. Other genetic elements (e.g. Tss, delta-elements, t-RNAs) are present in multiple copies. To visualize these relationships, a top-down "genome browser" is introduced that enables inspection of genomic data at different levels of abstraction (e.g. chromosomes, coding/non-coding regions, high/low levels of similarity). This novel tool is a key component for the integrated services approach to biological sequence data management (Heumann et al. 1995) and is accessible through the world wide web (WWW). This work demonstrates how the genome browser visualizes the results of an all-against-all comparison of the elements in the yeast genome as a graph. Interactive navigational queries across yeast chromosomes along the lines of sequence similarity open versatile options for the detailed investigation of genome properties. For sequence comparison the hashed position tree HPT (Mewes & Heumann 1995) is applied. Sequence similarity relationships are represented using the genome similarity graph (GSG) (Heumann & Mewes 1996c).

Chromosomes, Fungal↗

Construction and utility of 10-kb libraries for efficient clone-gap closure for rice genome sequencing.

Rice is an important crop and a model system for monocot genomics, and is a target for whole genome sequencing by the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP). The IRGSP is using a clone by clone approach to sequence rice based on minimum tiles of BAC or PAC clones. For chromosomes 10 and 3 we are using an integrated physical map based on two fingerprinted and end-sequenced BAC libraries to identifying a minimum tiling path of clones. In this study we constructed and tested two rice genomic libraries with an average insert size of 10 kb (10-kb library) to support the gap closure and finishing phases of the rice genome sequencing project. The HaeIII library contains 166,752 clones covering approximately 4.6x rice genome equivalents with an average insert size of 10.5 kb. The Sau3AI library contains 138,960 clones covering 4.2x genome equivalents with an average insert size of 11.6 kb. Both libraries were gridded in duplicate onto 11 high-density filters in a 5 x 5 pattern to facilitate screening by hybridization. The libraries contain an unbiased coverage of the rice genome with less than 5% contamination by clones containing organelle DNA or no insert. An efficient method was developed, consisting of pooled overgo hybridization, the selection of 10-kb gap spanning clones using end sequences, transposon sequencing and utilization of in silico draft sequence, to close relatively small gaps between sequenced BAC clones. Using this method we were able to close a majority of the gaps (up to approximately 50 kb) identified during the finishing phase of chromosome-10 sequencing. This method represents a useful way to close clone gaps and thus to complete the entire rice genome.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial↗

Lineage-specific transmission and spatial clustering of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2019-23: a population-based genomic study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of tuberculosis in Taiwan has been influenced by the introduction of multiple Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages and by the ageing of the population. We conducted a population-based study to investigate M tuberculosis transmission in Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan. METHODS: In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of M tuberculosis isolates from all culture-positive cases of tuberculosis notified in Kaohsiung between Jan 1, 2019 and Dec 31, 2023. We obtained routine epidemiological data for each case collected through the national tuberculosis control programme. We characterised the lineage composition of the isolate collection and evaluated genomic clustering of isolates, defined as a difference of 12 or fewer single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds of a case belonging to a genomic cluster based on host factors (age, sex, sputum smear status, and residential region) and pathogen factors (drug resistance status and strain lineage). Spatial aggregation of large genomic clusters (including greater than or equal to ten isolates) was assessed using a non-parametric statistical clustering method. We used a Bayesian transmission tree inference method to explore the patterns of age-dependent transmission. FINDINGS: During the study period, 5667 tuberculosis cases were notified in Kaohsiung, 4916 (86&#xb7;7%) of which were culture-positive. Of these 4916 cases, whole-genome sequencing was successfully performed for 4168 (84&#xb7;8%) isolates. 1219 (29&#xb7;2%) of 4168 individuals were female and 2947 (70&#xb7;7%) were male; the median age was 69&#xb7;7 years (IQR 57&#xb7;4-80&#xb7;7). The dominant lineages were lineage 1 (1749 [42&#xb7;0%] of 4168 isolates), lineage 2 (1510 [36&#xb7;2%]), and lineage 4 (905 [21&#xb7;7%]). 1069 (25&#xb7;6%) of 4168 were genomically linked and formed 287 clusters. Lineage 2 isolates had higher odds (aOR 2&#xb7;15 [95% CI 1&#xb7;80-2&#xb7;52]) than lineage 1 isolates of genomic clustering across all regions, whereas lineage 4 isolates had a significantly higher risk (2&#xb7;75 [1&#xb7;16-6&#xb7;89]) of genomic clustering than lineage 1 only in the rural northeast region, inhabited primarily by indigenous populations. Spatial clustering analysis corroborated these lineage-region interactions. Although younger adults (<35 years) had the highest individual-level odds (5&#xb7;64 [4&#xb7;16-7&#xb7;68]) of clustering in the logistic regression analysis compared with those aged 80 years or older, the transmission inference indicated that individuals aged 55-74 years were responsible for a greater proportion of inferred transmission events, contributing 50&#xb7;8% of all transmission events. INTERPRETATION: This sequencing study revealed that older adults (aged &#x2265;65 years) might have played a substantial and under-recognised role in the transmission of tuberculosis in Taiwan. The lineage-specific clustering and spatial patterns suggested that both pathogen characteristics and host demographics shaped tuberculosis transmission dynamics. These findings support the use of integrated genomic surveillance to guide precision tuberculosis control and motivate further research on age-specific transmission pathways and targeted interventions to advance tuberculosis elimination efforts. FUNDING: Taiwan National Health Research Institutes and Taiwan National Science and Technology Council.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis↗

Strategy to sequence the genome of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032: use of a cosmid and a bacterial artificial chromosome library.

The initial strategy of the Corynebacterium glutamicum genome project was to sequence overlapping inserts of an ordered cosmid library. High-density colony grids of approximately 28 genome equivalents were used for the identification of overlapping clones by Southern hybridization. Altogether 18 contiguous genomic segments comprising 95 overlapping cosmids were assembled. Systematic shotgun sequencing of the assembled cosmid set revealed that only 2.84 Mb (86.6%) of the C. glutamicum genome were represented by the cosmid library. To obtain a complete genome coverage, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of the C. glutamicum chromosome was constructed in pBeloBAC11 and used for genome mapping. The BAC library consists of 3168 BACs and represents a theoretical 63-fold coverage of the C. glutamicum genome (3.28 Mb). Southern screening of 2304 BAC clones with PCR-amplified chromosomal markers and subsequent insert terminal sequencing allowed the identification of 119 BACs covering the entire chromosome of C. glutamicum. The minimal set representing a 100% genome coverage contains 44 unique BAC clones with an average overlap of 22 kb. A total of 21 BACs represented linking clones between previously sequenced cosmid contigs and provided a valuable tool for completing the genome sequence of C. glutamicum.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial↗

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers approximately 99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of approximately 1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human genome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead.

Amino Acid Sequence↗