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Evolution

Parallel evolution of pathogenic Yersinia

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 15, page 363 (2014)Cite this article

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Whole-genome sequencing of >200 pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of the Yersinia genus of bacteria has revealed that pathogenic members of the genus — including Yersinia pestis (which causes bubonic plague) and Yersinia enterocolitica (which causes gastroenteritis) — have followed parallel evolutionary paths. Phylogenetic analysis shows that these two species did not share a recent common ancestor, as previously thought, but evolved independently to acquire virulence factors and to lose several metabolic genes on the transitional route to pathogenicity.

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References

  1. Reuter, S. et al. Parallel independent evolution of pathogenicity within the genus Yersinia. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 111, 6768–6773 (2014)

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  1. Bryony Jones
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Jones, B. Parallel evolution of pathogenic Yersinia. Nat Rev Genet 15, 363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg3752

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