The genome sequence of the pathogen Brucella melitensis

to contain 3,294,935 bp distributed over two circular chromosomes sv of 2,117,144 bp and 1,177,787 bp encoding 3,197 ORFs. By using the pE bioinformatics suite ERGO, 2,487 (78%) ORFs were assigned func- Bi tions. The origins of replication of the two chromosomes are similar to those of other a-proteobacteria. Housekeeping genes, including M those involved in DNA replication, transcription, translation, core Dl metabolism, and cell wall biosynthesis, are distributed on both 22 chromosomes. Type I, II, and III secretion systems are absent, but hi genes encoding sec-dependent, sec-independent, and flagella- ca specific type III, type IV, and type V secretion systems as well as ar adhesins, invasins, and hemolysins were identified. Several fea- ca tures of the B. melitensis genome are similar to those of the m symbiotic Sinorhizobium meliloti. fe fr