Article Abstract:
Research was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common gastrointestinal pathogens that affect about 50% of the human population. Another objective was to examine the genomic malleability of H pylori. The diversity among the isolates of H pylori suggested mechanisms of genetic recombination and natural gene transfer in the organism. It was also concluded that genetic diversity was a reflection of human diversity, their diets and environments, which led to a balanced polymorphism in the bacterial population.
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Article Abstract:
A siderophore synthesis mutant of Escherichia coli was converted with an ordered cosmid library of Helicobacter pylori NCTC 11638 to determine the genes responsible for the use of heme as an iron source in H. pylori. Four independent cosmids were found that can complement this mutant on iron-restrictive solid media containing various heme compounds as the only source of iron. One of the cosmids was able to complement E. coli aroB hemA, suggesting that the heme molecule is taken up as a whole by this heme-biosynthesis mutant.
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Article Abstract:
This article comments on inconsistencies and erroneous assumptions reported in an earler research publication. Authors contend that the method used for demonstrating DNA uptake sequences in Helicobacter pylori and the claim that Gram-negative bacteria lack a sequence for homospecific DNA uptake are incorrect.
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