Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions are often driven by mechanisms that promote genetic variability. We have identified a group of temperate bacteriophages that generate diversity in a gene, designated mtd (major tropism determinant), which specifies tropism for receptor molecules on host Bordetella species. Tropism switching is the result of a template-dependent, reverse transcriptase-mediated process that introduces nucleotide substitutions at defined locations within mtd. This cassette-based mechanism is capable of providing a vast repertoire of potential ligand-receptor interactions.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Bacteriophages / enzymology
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Bacteriophages / genetics*
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Bacteriophages / physiology*
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Bacteriophages / ultrastructure
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Bordetella bronchiseptica / genetics
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Bordetella bronchiseptica / metabolism
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Bordetella bronchiseptica / virology*
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Genes, Viral*
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Genetic Variation
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Genome, Viral
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Mutation
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
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Receptors, Virus / metabolism
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Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
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Templates, Genetic
Substances
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Receptors, Virus
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase