Microarray analysis of transposon insertion mutations in Bacillus anthracis: global identification of genes required for sporulation and germination

A transposon site hybridization (TraSH) assay was developed for functional analysis of the Bacillus anthracis genome using a mini-Tnl0 transposon which permitted analysis of 82% of this pathogen's genes. The system, used to identify genes required for generation of infectious anthrax spores, spore germination, and optimal growth on rich medium, was predictive of the contributions of two conserved hypothetical genes for the phenotypes examined.