Draft genome sequence of lytic bacteriophage CP3 infecting anaerobic bacterial pathogen Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming pathogenic bacterium, which belongs to the Clostridiaceae family. C. perfringens causes diseases including food poisoning in vertebrates and intestinal tract of humans. Bacteriophages that can kill target bacteria specifically have been considered as one of control methods for bacterial pathogens. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of the bacteriophage CP3 effective to C. perfringens. The phage genome comprises 52,068 bp with a G + C content of 34.0%. The draft genome has 74 protein-coding genes, 29 of which have predicted functions from BLASTp analysis. Others are conserved proteins with unknown functions. No RNAs were found in the genome

Exploring the Genetic Signature of Body Size in Yucatan Miniature Pig

<div><p>Since being domesticated about 10,000–12,000 years ago, domestic pigs (<i>Sus scrofa domesticus</i>) have been selected for traits of economic importance, in particular large body size. However, Yucatan miniature pigs have been selected for small body size to withstand high temperature environment and for laboratory use. This renders the Yucatan miniature pig a valuable model for understanding the evolution of body size. We investigate the genetic signature for selection of body size in the Yucatan miniature pig. Phylogenetic distance of Yucatan miniature pig was compared to other large swine breeds (Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc and wild boar). By estimating the XP-EHH statistic using re-sequencing data derived from 70 pigs, we were able to unravel the signatures of selection of body size. We found that both selections at the level of organism, and at the cellular level have occurred. Selection at the higher levels include feed intake, regulation of body weight and increase in mass while selection at the molecular level includes cell cycle and cell proliferation. Positively selected genes probed by XP-EHH may provide insight into the docile character and innate immunity as well as body size of Yucatan miniature pig.</p></div

Nucleotide diversity (A and C) and cumulative average of nucleotide diversity (B) for each swine breed.

<p>Nucleotide diversity of 10⁷-bp non-overlapping window is shown. Each pig breed is marked by a colored line; orange for wild boar, blue for Landrace, green for Yorkshire, purple for Yucatan miniature pig and yellow for Duroc.</p

Unrooted phylogenetic tree of 70 pigs based on pairwise identity-by-state (IBS) distance from the entire autosomal SNPs.

<p>Each pig breed is marked by a colored circle; orange for wild boar, blue for Landrace, green for Yorkshire, purple for Yucatan miniature pig and yellow for Duroc. Scale bar indicate distance measure between each individual (1-IBS).</p

Outlier regions detected by all three XP-EHH tests between Yucatan miniature pig and each of large swine breed (Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire) and associated genes.

<p>Outlier regions detected by all three XP-EHH tests between Yucatan miniature pig and each of large swine breed (Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire) and associated genes.</p