LEPTOSPIRA GENOMICS

The bacterial species Leptospira interrogans (sensu stricto) has a com plex genome containing two circular chromosomal replicons. Comparative analysis of the larger chromosome reveals a fluid genetic organizatio n with many large rearrangements differentiating two closely related s trains. In the present study new genes were identified by partial sequ ence analysis of randomly cloned fragments of L. interrogans DNA. Thes e genes were localized in regions of the genome by nucleic acid hybrid ization with DNA fragments separated by pulsed-field gel electrophores is. The resulting genetic maps provide improved resolution for each st rain and provide evidence for additional chromosomal rearrangements. I nsertion elements may be involved in recombination events, as several are near regions of the chromosome that have undergone rearrangement.