A Predator Unmasked: Life Cycle of Bdellovibriobacteriovorus from a Genomic Perspective.

PREDATORY animals; BDELLOVIBRIO bacteriovorus; GRAM-negative bacteria; HYDROLASES; GENETIC transformation; BACTERIA

Predatory bacteria remain molecularly enigmatic, despite their presence in many microbial communities. Here we report the complete genome of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, a predatory Cram-negative bacterium that invades and consumes other Cram-negative bacteria. Its surprisingly large genome shows no evidence of recent gene transfer from its prey. A plethora of paralogous gene families coding for enzymes, such as hydrolases and transporters, are used throughout the life cycle of B. bacteriovorus for prey entry, prey killing, and the uptake of complex molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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