Journal of Bacteriology, October 1999, p. 6214-6219, Vol. 181, No. 19
0021-9193/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas,
Received 7 June 1999/Accepted 20 July 1999
The complete nucleotide sequence of the capsular gene cluster
(cap8) responsible for the biosynthesis of the capsular
polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 8 has been
determined. The cap8 gene cluster, located between the
genes dexB and aliA, is composed of 12 open
reading frames. A 14.7-kb DNA fragment embracing the cap8
genes was sufficient to transform an unencapsulated type 3 S. pneumoniae strain to a strain with the type 8 capsule. A possible
scenario for the evolution of pneumococcal types 2 and 8 is outlined.
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Centro de
Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Velázquez 144, 28006 Madrid, Spain. Phone: (34) 81-5611800. Fax: (34) 91-5627518. E-mail:
e.garcia{at}cib.csic.es.
This article has been cited by other articles:
| Appl. Environ. Microbiol. | Infect. Immun. | Eukaryot. Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Mol. Cell. Biol. | J. Virol. | Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. |
| ALL ASM JOURNALS |