High-precision, whole-genome sequencing of laboratory strains facilitates genetic studies.

TitleHigh-precision, whole-genome sequencing of laboratory strains facilitates genetic studies.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsSrivatsan, A, Han, Y, Peng, J, Tehranchi, AK, Gibbs, RA, Wang, JD, Chen, R
JournalPLoS Genet
Volume4
Issue8
Paginatione1000139
Date Published2008 Aug 01
ISSN1553-7404
KeywordsBacillus subtilis, Bacterial Proteins, Genetic Variation, Genome, Bacterial, Molecular Sequence Data, Phenotype, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Suppression, Genetic
Abstract

Whole-genome sequencing is a powerful technique for obtaining the reference sequence information of multiple organisms. Its use can be dramatically expanded to rapidly identify genomic variations, which can be linked with phenotypes to obtain biological insights. We explored these potential applications using the emerging next-generation sequencing platform Solexa Genome Analyzer, and the well-characterized model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Combining sequencing with experimental verification, we first improved the accuracy of the published sequence of the B. subtilis reference strain 168, then obtained sequences of multiple related laboratory strains and different isolates of each strain. This provides a framework for comparing the divergence between different laboratory strains and between their individual isolates. We also demonstrated the power of Solexa sequencing by using its results to predict a defect in the citrate signal transduction pathway of a common laboratory strain, which we verified experimentally. Finally, we examined the molecular nature of spontaneously generated mutations that suppress the growth defect caused by deletion of the stringent response mediator relA. Using whole-genome sequencing, we rapidly mapped these suppressor mutations to two small homologs of relA. Interestingly, stable suppressor strains had mutations in both genes, with each mutation alone partially relieving the relA growth defect. This supports an intriguing three-locus interaction module that is not easily identifiable through traditional suppressor mapping. We conclude that whole-genome sequencing can drastically accelerate the identification of suppressor mutations and complex genetic interactions, and it can be applied as a standard tool to investigate the genetic traits of model organisms.

DOI10.1371/journal.pgen.1000139
Alternate JournalPLoS Genet
PubMed ID18670626
PubMed Central IDPMC2474695
Grant ListR01 GM084003 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG003273 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
U54HG003273 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States

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