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Published on: November 16, 2016
Microevolution in the major outer membrane protein OmpA of Acinetobacter baumannii
Alejandro M Viale1, Benjamin A Evans2
1Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET) and Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
The outer membrane protein A (OmpA) in Acinetobacter baumannii shows significant microevolutionary divergence. Specific OmpA variants are linked to distinct bacterial lineages, influencing evolution and virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a major multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen.
- The outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is crucial for A. baumannii virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microevolutionary divergence of the ompA gene in Acinetobacter baumannii.
- To understand the distribution and exchange of ompA variants within and between Acinetobacter species.
Main Methods:
- Genome sequencing of 975 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus/Acinetobacter baumannii complex (ACB) strains.
- Phylogenetic and multilocus sequence analyses were performed.
- Analysis of ompA gene variants and their distribution across ACB phylogeny.
Main Results:
- Five major ompA variant groups (V1-V5) were identified in A. baumannii, with 52 alleles coding for 23 proteins.
- Polymorphisms were concentrated in external loops and the C-terminal end, indicating intragenic recombination.
- Specific ompA variants were associated with distinct clonal complexes (CC1, CC2) and exchanged between ACB species.
Conclusions:
- OmpA microevolution is non-random and linked to A. baumannii phylogeny and epidemiology.
- OmpA variant exchange impacts bacterial evolution, virulence, and potential vaccine design.
- Understanding ompA diversity is critical for combating A. baumannii infections.
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