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A Small Microbial Genome: The End of a Long Symbiotic Relationship?
Vicente Pérez-Brocal,1,2Rosario Gil,1,2Silvia Ramos,1Araceli Lamelas,1,2Marina Postigo,3José Manuel Michelena,1,4Francisco J. Silva,1,2Andrés Moya,1,2Amparo Latorre1,2*
Intracellular bacteria are characterized by genome reduction.The 422,434–base pair genome of Buchnera aphidicola BCc,primary endosymbiont of the aphid Cinara cedri, is 200 kilobasessmaller than the previously sequenced B. aphidicola genomes.B. aphidicola BCc has lost most metabolic functions, includingthe ability to synthesize the essential amino acid tryptophanand riboflavin. In addition, most retained genes are evolvingrapidly. Possibly, B. aphidicola BCc is losing its symbioticcapacity and is being complemented (and might be replaced) bythe highly abundant coexisting secondary symbiont.
1 Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Apartado Postal 22085, 46071 València, Spain. 2 Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain. 3 Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. Ajalvir, km 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain. 4 Departament de Zoologia, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: amparo.latorre{at}uv.es
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200 kilobases smaller than the previously sequenced B. aphidicola genomes. B. aphidicola BCc has lost most metabolic functions, including the ability to synthesize the essential amino acid tryptophan and riboflavin. In addition, most retained genes are evolving rapidly. Possibly, B. aphidicola BCc is losing its symbiotic capacity and is being complemented (and might be replaced) by the highly abundant coexisting secondary symbiont. 
