A Predator Unmasked: Life Cycle of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus from a Genomic Perspective
Snjezana Rendulic,1
Pratik Jagtap,1*
Andrea Rosinus,1*
Mark Eppinger,1*
Claudia Baar,1*
Christa Lanz,1
Heike Keller,1
Carey Lambert,2
Katy J. Evans,2
Alexander Goesmann,3
Folker Meyer,3
R. Elizabeth Sockett,2
Stephan C. Schuster1
Predatory bacteria remain molecularly enigmatic, despite their presence in many microbial communities. Here we report the complete genome of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, a predatory Gram-negative bacterium that invades and consumes other Gram-negative bacteria. Its surprisingly large genome shows no evidence of recent gene transfer from its prey. A plethora of paralogous gene families coding for enzymes, such as hydrolases and transporters, are used throughout the life cycle of B. bacteriovorus for prey entry, prey killing, and the uptake of complex molecules.
1 Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
2 Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
3 Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33594 Bielefeld, Germany.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: stephan.schuster{at}tuebingen.mpg.de
