Re: What's smallest known "self-sufficient" genome?

"kj" <socyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e1m9ah$17ia$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'd like to know which, among those organisms whose genomes have
been analyzed and that are *not* intracellular parasites (such as
viruses, mycoplasmas, etc.), has the smallest genome? By "smallest"
I mean "fewest genes" (not fewest bases, or smallest chromosomes).

Actually I think it might be more useful to know what you mean by
"self-sufficient" rather than "smallest". PiP mentions Pelagibacter/SAR11,
which is the logical choice and IIRC was touted as such in a Science
magazine article not too long ago.
Alternatively, I'd nominate any of several Prochlorococcus species
(cyanobacteria), which are attractive for their "just add water" simplicity
(strictly speaking, water, light, and CO2). As PiP alluded, SAR11 and other
small-genome ocean dwellers are ultimately dependent upon these
cyanobacterial primary producers.


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