Genetics
Like many other bacteria, F. tularensis undergoes asexual replication. Bacteria will divide into two daughter cells, each of which contains identical genetic information. Genetic variation may be introduced via mutation or horizontal gene transfer.
The genome of F. tularensis biovar tularensis strain SCHU4 has been sequenced. The studies resulting from the sequencing suggest that a number of gene coding regions in the F. tularensis genome are disrupted by mutations and thus create blocks in a number of metabolic and synthetic pathways that are required for survival. This indicates that F. tularensis has evolved to depend on the host organism for certain nutrients and other processes ordinarily taken care of by these disrupted genes.
The F. tularensis genome contains unusual transposon-like elements resembling counterparts that normally are found in eukaryotic organisms.
Read more about this topic: Francisella Tularensis