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Related Concept Videos

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

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The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
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Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

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The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects...
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Mutations in Microorganisms01:18

Mutations in Microorganisms

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Mutations are heritable changes in an organism’s genome involving alterations in the base sequence of DNA or RNA. These changes can influence cellular processes and phenotypic traits, potentially transforming the unaltered wild type into a mutant form. Such changes, termed forward mutations, are pivotal in shaping the genetic diversity of organisms.RNA viruses exhibit the highest mutation rates due to the absence of robust proofreading mechanisms during genome replication. In contrast,...
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Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

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The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

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The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Phage-Mediated Genetic Manipulation of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi
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Massive gene decay in the leprosy bacillus.

S T Cole1, K Eiglmeier, J Parkhill

  • 1Unité de Génétique Moléculaire Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. stcole@pasteur.fr

Nature
|March 10, 2001
PubMed
Summary

The leprosy bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae, has undergone extreme genome reduction, losing many genes and metabolic functions. This explains its slow growth and inability to be cultured in labs, offering insights into this chronic neurological disease.

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DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA
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DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA
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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Leprosy is a chronic neurological disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
  • Mycobacterium leprae exhibits the longest bacterial doubling time and is unculturable.
  • It is a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the genome sequence of Mycobacterium leprae with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • To understand the properties of Mycobacterium leprae, including its slow growth and unculturability.
  • To investigate the phenomenon of reductive evolution in Mycobacterium leprae.

Main Methods:

  • Genome sequencing of an armadillo-derived Indian isolate of Mycobacterium leprae (3.27 Mb).
  • Comparative genomics with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.41 Mb).

Main Results:

  • Mycobacterium leprae's genome has undergone extreme reductive evolution.
  • Less than half of the Mycobacterium leprae genome contains functional genes; pseudogenes are abundant.
  • Genome downsizing and mosaic arrangement are attributed to recombination events.
  • Significant loss of metabolic activities, including siderophore production and respiratory chains.

Conclusions:

  • The reduced genome explains Mycobacterium leprae's slow growth and inability to be cultured.
  • Reductive evolution has led to the loss of essential metabolic pathways.
  • Comparative genomics reveals insights into bacterial adaptation and pathogenesis.