Comparative genomics of the lactic acid bacteria

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Oct 17;103(42):15611-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0607117103. Epub 2006 Oct 9.

Abstract

Lactic acid-producing bacteria are associated with various plant and animal niches and play a key role in the production of fermented foods and beverages. We report nine genome sequences representing the phylogenetic and functional diversity of these bacteria. The small genomes of lactic acid bacteria encode a broad repertoire of transporters for efficient carbon and nitrogen acquisition from the nutritionally rich environments they inhabit and reflect a limited range of biosynthetic capabilities that indicate both prototrophic and auxotrophic strains. Phylogenetic analyses, comparison of gene content across the group, and reconstruction of ancestral gene sets indicate a combination of extensive gene loss and key gene acquisitions via horizontal gene transfer during the coevolution of lactic acid bacteria with their habitats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / classification
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biological Evolution
  • Food Microbiology
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Genomics*
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism*
  • Lactobacillus / classification
  • Lactobacillus / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Streptococcaceae / classification
  • Streptococcaceae / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Lactic Acid