| Range |
≈4,100 genes
|
| Organism |
Bacteria Bacillus subtilis |
| Reference |
Kobayashi K et al., Essential Bacillus subtilis genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15 100(8):4678-83. abstract, p.4679 left column bottom paragraph & p.4683 left column 2nd paragraphPubMed ID1268229
|
| Method |
"To obtain an independent and possibly more reliable estimate of a minimal protein-encoding gene set for bacteria, [researchers] systematically inactivated Bacillus subtilis genes." |
| Comments |
"There are ˜4,100 annotated genes in the B. subtilis genome (ref 9 PMID 9384377). Some 303 are encoded on prophages that can be eliminated from the genome and are not essential. Previous studies on 656 B. subtilis genes identified 42 that are essential (Table 1)." "Over 80% of
essential
B. subtilis
gene homologues are present in all bacteria
with genomes above
˜3 Mb, and 57% are found even in bacteria
with the smallest genomes (mycoplasma). Almost 70% of genes
are present in at least one kingdom other than Bacteria. Many
organisms thus appear to rely on a similar set of essential
functions, supporting the simple microbial cell view outlined
above." |
| Entered by |
Ron Milo - Admin |
| ID |
100526 |