An overview on phase variation, mechanisms and roles in bacterial adaptation. | [Journal of Pakistan Medical Association • 2017]

Author(s):

1. Sajjad Ahmad: National Center for Bioinformatics,NCB,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad

2. Mushtaq Ahmad: Department of Pathology, Bacha Khan Medical College,Mardan,

3. Salman Khan: Department of Microbiology,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,

4. Faisal Ahmad: Department of Microbiology,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad

5. Sabir Nawaz: Department of Microbiology,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,

6. Farman Ullah Khan: Center of Biotechnology and Microbiology (COBAM), University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Abstract:

In nature, bacteria are exposed to multiple stress conditions posing threat to their life. However, bacteria evolve constantly and employ myriad of genetic and phenotypic strategies for successful survival. One such adaptive process is phase variation - a random, frequent and reversible ON/OFF switching of contingency genes generating phenotypical variations within the bacterial population. Pathogenic and commensal bacteria make use of this heritable process as a tool for adaptation, generating intra-strain diversity and immune evasion. Unveiling molecular basis of this aspect of bacterial pathogenesis is vital in yielding significant implications to understand health and diseases. The current review was planned to overview this hot topic of research, its molecular basis and biological significance.

Page(s): 285-291

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Volume: 67, Issue: 2, Year: 2017

Keywords:

Contigency gene , Phasevarion

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