“Bacterial clone-based genome sequencing frequently results in gaps, which harbour hypothetical genes of unknown function. Sorek and colleagues show that these gaps contain a vast array of genes encoding proteins that are toxic to the sequencing host (Escherichia coli), including previously uncharacterized restriction enzymes, toxin–antitoxin systems and non-coding RNAs.”
Of course, to me, this is very clever, having never thought about this. Yes, we always knew that some sequences were unclonable because of incompatibility with the cloning vector. But the cleverness is to actually look for those gaps as potential anti micribials. That’s one of those amazing “Duh”s that sometimes happen when things are right under our nose.
Only sucky thing is that the article is CLOSED ACCESS. Fail.
via Access : Bacterial genomics: A new source of antimicrobial targets : Nature Reviews Microbiology (subscription required).
