Comparing the genomes of Helicobacter pylori clinical strain UM032 and Mice-adapted derivatives

Gut Pathog. 2013 Aug 19:5:25. doi: 10.1186/1757-4749-5-25. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that persistently infects the human stomach inducing chronic inflammation. The exact mechanisms of pathogenesis are still not completely understood. Although not a natural host for H. pylori, mouse infection models play an important role in establishing the immunology and pathogenicity of H. pylori. In this study, for the first time, the genome sequences of clinical H. pylori strain UM032 and mice-adapted derivatives, 298 and 299, were sequenced using the PacBio Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology.

Result: Here, we described the single contig which was achieved for UM032 (1,599,441 bp), 298 (1,604,216 bp) and 299 (1,601,149 bp). Preliminary analysis suggested that methylation of H. pylori genome through its restriction modification system may be determinative of its host specificity and adaptation.

Conclusion: Availability of these genomic sequences will aid in enhancing our current level of understanding the host specificity of H. pylori.

Keywords: Clinical H. pylori; Helicobacter pylori; Mice-adapted; PacBio Single Molecule; Real-Time (SMRT) technology.