A pipeline to characterize virulence factors in Mycobacterium massiliense genome

Abstract

Virulence factors represent crucial molecular features for understanding pathogenic mechanisms. Here we describe a pipeline for in silico prediction of virulence factor genes in Mycobacterium massiliense genome that could be easily used in many other bacterial systems. Some few methods for this characterization are described in the literature, however these approaches are usually time-consuming and require information not always readily available. Using the proposed pipeline, the number and the accuracy of predicted ORF annotation were increased, and a broad identification of virulence factors could be achieved. Based on these results, we were able to construct a general pathogenic profile of M. massiliense. Furthermore, two important metabolic pathways, production of siderophores and bacterial secretion systems, both related to M. massiliense's pathogenicity, were investigated. © 2013 Springer International Publishing.