Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2401848 | Tuberculosis | 2007 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
SummaryMembers of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex contain the transposable element IS6110 which, due to its high numerical and positional polymorphism, has become a widely used marker in epidemiological studies. Here, we review the evidence that IS6110 is not simply a passive or ‘junk’ DNA sequence, but that, through its transposable activity, it is able to generate genotypic variation that translates into strain-specific phenotypic variation. We also speculate on the role that this variation has played in the evolution of M. tuberculosis and conclude that the presence of a moderate IS6110 copy number within the genome may provide the pathogen with a selective advantage that has aided its virulence.
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Authors
Christopher R.E. McEvoy, Alecia A. Falmer, Nicolaas C. Gey van Pittius, Thomas C. Victor, Paul D. van Helden, Robin M. Warren,