Variability of the <i>aspA</i> Genes in <i>Yersinia pestis</i> Strains of the Main and Non-Main Subspecies

Abstract

Demonstrated was variability of the aspA gene nucleotide sequence in Yersinia pestis strains of the main and non-main subspecies isolated in the Russian Federation and neighboring countries. Strains of altaica and hissarica subspecies, just as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, possess valine in position 363 of the AspA protein. Strains of caucasica and ulegeica subspecies carry serine in this position, while strains of the main subspecies carry leucine. The aspA gene variability is thought to be applicable for genotyping of plague agent strains.

Keywords

• plague agent
• gene nucleotide sequence variability
• as­ partase
• genotyping of the strains