Complete DNA sequencing of the H. pylori genome has allowed sequence-similarity comparisons with other gram-negative bacteria. Investigations are in progress to confirm the function of homologous molecules in transcriptional and translational processes. These studies demonstrate the universality of many aspects of structure and function in the gram-negative bacterial species. However, it is clear that H. pylori transcription and translation processes may have important differences from those of E. coli. The significance of these differences, the relationship(s) to bacterial physiology, and the contributions to the pathogenesis of disease processes are under active investigation.
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