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Pathogenicity in the tubercle bacillus: molecular and evolutionary determinants
Author(s) -
Gordon Stephen V.,
Bottai Daria,
Simeone Roxane,
Stinear Timothy P.,
Brosch Roland
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.200800191
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , biology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , genomics , genome , comparative genomics , identification (biology) , mycobacterium tuberculosis complex , pathogenicity , pathogen , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , genetics , medicine , gene , ecology , pathology
In contrast to the great majority of mycobacterial species that are harmless saprophytes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other closely related tubercle bacilli have evolved to be among the most important human and animal pathogens. The need to develop new strategies in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and related diseases has fuelled research into the evolutionary success of the M. tuberculosis complex members. Amongst the various disciplines, genomics and functional genomics have been instrumental in improving our understanding of these organisms. In this review we will present some of the recent key findings on molecular determinants of mycobacterial pathogenicity and attenuation, the evolution of M. tuberculosis , genome dynamics, antigen mining for improved diagnostic and subunit antigens, and finally the identification of novel drug targets. The genomics revolution has changed the landscape of TB research, and now underpins our renewed efforts to defeat this deadly pathogen.