The Complete Genome Sequence of Propionibacterium Acnes, a Commensal of Human Skin
Holger Brüggemann,1*
Anke Henne,1
Frank Hoster,1
Heiko Liesegang,1
Arnim Wiezer,1
Axel Strittmatter,1
Sandra Hujer,2
Peter Dürre,2
Gerhard Gottschalk1
Propionibacterium acnes is a major inhabitant of adult human skin, where it resides within sebaceous follicles, usually as a harmless commensal although it has been implicated in acne vulgaris formation. The entire genome sequence of this Gram-positive bacterium encodes 2333 putative genes and revealed numerous gene products involved in degrading host molecules, including sialidases, neuraminidases, endoglycoceramidases, lipases, and pore-forming factors. Surface-associated and other immunogenic factors have been identified, which might be involved in triggering acne inflammation and other P. acnes–associated diseases.
1 Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
2 Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
* Present address: Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Genomics of Microbial Pathogens, 28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France.
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hbruegg{at}pasteur.fr (H.B.) and ggottsc{at}gwdg.de (G.G.)
