Reductive evolution suggested from the complete genome sequence of a plant-pathogenic phytoplasma

• Published in: Nature genetics Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 27 - 29
• Main Authors: Namba, Shigetou, Oshima, Kenro, Kakizawa, Shigeyuki, Nishigawa, Hisashi, Jung, Hee-Young, Wei, Wei, Suzuki, Shiho, Arashida, Ryo, Nakata, Daisuke, Miyata, Shin-ichi, Ugaki, Masashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 01-01-2004
• Subjects: ATP; Biological and medical sciences; Chromosomes, Bacterial; DNA sequencing; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Genome, Bacterial; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleotide sequencing; Nutrients; Parasites; Pathogens; pentose phosphate; Physiological aspects; Phytoplasma - genetics; Phytoplasma asteris; Plant parasites; Japan; Mollicutes; Molecular evolution; Plant; Vegetals; Pathogenic; Bacteria; Phytoplasma
• ISSN: 1061-4036; 1546-1718
• DOI: 10.1038/ng1277

The minimal gene set essential for life has long been sought. We report the 860-kb genome of the obligate intracellular plant pathogen phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris, OY strain). The phytoplasma genome encodes even fewer metabolic functions than do mycoplasma genomes. It lacks the pentose phosphate cycle and, more unexpectedly, ATP-synthase subunits, which are thought to be essential for life. This may be the result of reductive evolution as a consequence of life as an intracellular parasite in a nutrient-rich environment.