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Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, September 2007, p. 495-548, Vol. 71, No. 3
1092-2172/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MMBR.00005-07
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Genomics of Actinobacteria: Tracing the Evolutionary History of an Ancient Phylum

Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology, Evolution, University of Parma, Parma, Italy,¹ Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Department of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland,² Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Universitaetsstrasse 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany,³ Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, United Kingdom⁴

Summary: Actinobacteria constitute one of the largest phyla among Bacteria and represent gram-positive bacteria with a high G+C content in their DNA. This bacterial group includes microorganisms exhibiting a wide spectrum of morphologies, from coccoid to fragmenting hyphal forms, as well as possessing highly variable physiological and metabolic properties. Furthermore, Actinobacteria members have adopted different lifestyles, and can be pathogens (e.g., Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Tropheryma, and Propionibacterium), soil inhabitants (Streptomyces), plant commensals (Leifsonia), or gastrointestinal commensals (Bifidobacterium). The divergence of Actinobacteria from other bacteria is ancient, making it impossible to identify the phylogenetically closest bacterial group to Actinobacteria. Genome sequence analysis has revolutionized every aspect of bacterial biology by enhancing the understanding of the genetics, physiology, and evolutionary development of bacteria. Various actinobacterial genomes have been sequenced, revealing a wide genomic heterogeneity probably as a reflection of their biodiversity. This review provides an account of the recent explosion of actinobacterial genomics data and an attempt to place this in a biological and evolutionary context.

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