Essential genes of a minimal bacterium
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium has the smallest genome of any organism that can be grown in pure culture. It has a minimal metabolism and little genomic redundancy. Consequently, its genome is expected to be a close approximation to the minimal set of genes needed to sustain bacterial life. Using global transposon mutagenesis, we isolated and characterized gene disruption mutants for 100 different nonessential protein-coding genes. None of the 43 RNA-coding genes were disrupted. Herein, we identify 382 of the 482 M. genitalium protein-coding genes as essential, plus five sets of disrupted genes that encode proteins with potentially redundant essential functions, such as phosphate transport. Genes encoding proteins of unknown function constitute 28% of the essential protein-coding genes set. Disruption of some genes accelerated M. genitalium growth. minimal cell | Mycoplasma genitalium | synthetic biology | transposon mutagenesis
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- January 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.0510013103
- Bibcode:
- 2006PNAS..103..425G
- Keywords:
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- MICROBIOLOGY