Candidatus Midichloria Genome sequencing and assembly. Candidatus Midichloria

The genus Midichloria encompasses bacterial symbionts of ticks, and at least some Midichloria species are able to invade the host mitochondria. Genomes of intramitochondrial and not-intramitochondrial Midichloria were sequenced and compared in order to identify genes potentially involved in the mitochondrial colonisation. Because of the uniqueness of this behaviour, this study provides the basis to understand a peculiar colonization process and to better understand the symbiosis between Midichloria and the second most important vector of diseases worldwide. Furthermore, it could provide a tool to further investigate mitochondrial processes.