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Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.

ABSTRACT: Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key components of the mating and meiosis pathways are missing from several species. These include major differences at the mating-type loci (MTL); Lodderomyces elongisporus lacks MTL, and components of the a1/2 cell identity determinant were lost in other species, raising questions about how mating and cell types are controlled. Analysis of the CUG leucine-to-serine genetic-code change reveals that 99% of ancestral CUG codons were erased and new ones arose elsewhere. Lastly, we revise the Candida albicans gene catalogue, identifying many new genes.

SUBMITTER: Butler G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2834264 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.

Butler Geraldine G Rasmussen Matthew D MD Lin Michael F MF Santos Manuel A S MA Sakthikumar Sharadha S Munro Carol A CA Rheinbay Esther E Grabherr Manfred M Forche Anja A Reedy Jennifer L JL Agrafioti Ino I Arnaud Martha B MB Bates Steven S Brown Alistair J P AJ Brunke Sascha S Costanzo Maria C MC Fitzpatrick David A DA de Groot Piet W J PW Harris David D Hoyer Lois L LL Hube Bernhard B Klis Frans M FM Kodira Chinnappa C Lennard Nicola N Logue Mary E ME Martin Ronny R Neiman Aaron M AM Nikolaou Elissavet E Quail Michael A MA Quinn Janet J Santos Maria C MC Schmitzberger Florian F FF Sherlock Gavin G Shah Prachi P Silverstein Kevin A T KA Skrzypek Marek S MS Soll David D Staggs Rodney R Stansfield Ian I Stumpf Michael P H MP Sudbery Peter E PE Srikantha Thyagarajan T Zeng Qiandong Q Berman Judith J Berriman Matthew M Heitman Joseph J Gow Neil A R NA Lorenz Michael C MC Birren Bruce W BW Kellis Manolis M Cuomo Christina A CA

Nature 20090601 7247

Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key com ...[more]

PMID: 19465905

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Project description:Aspergillus nidulans has long-been used as a model organism to gain insights into the genetic basis of asexual and sexual developmental processes both in other members of the genus Aspergillus, and filamentous fungi in general. Paradigms have been established concerning the regulatory mechanisms of conidial development. However, recent studies have shown considerable genome divergence in the fungal kingdom, questioning the general applicability of findings from Aspergillus, and certain longstanding evolutionary theories have been questioned. The phylogenetic distribution of key regulatory elements of asexual reproduction in A. nidulans was investigated in a broad taxonomic range of fungi. This revealed that some proteins were well conserved in the Pezizomycotina (e.g. AbaA, FlbA, FluG, NsdD, MedA, and some velvet proteins), suggesting similar developmental roles. However, other elements (e.g. BrlA) had a more restricted distribution solely in the Eurotiomycetes, and it appears that the genetic control of sporulation seems to be more complex in the aspergilli than in some other taxonomic groups of the Pezizomycotina. The evolution of the velvet protein family is discussed based on the history of expansion and contraction events in the early divergent fungi. Heterologous expression of the A. nidulans abaA gene in Monascus ruber failed to induce development of complete conidiophores as seen in the aspergilli, but did result in increased conidial production. The absence of many components of the asexual developmental pathway from members of the Saccharomycotina supports the hypothesis that differences in the complexity of their spore formation is due in part to the increased diversity of the sporulation machinery evident in the Pezizomycotina. Investigations were also made into the evolution of sex and sexuality in the aspergilli. MAT loci were identified from the heterothallic Aspergillus (Emericella) heterothallicus and Aspergillus (Neosartorya) fennelliae and the homothallic Aspergillus pseudoglaucus (=Eurotium repens). A consistent architecture of the MAT locus was seen in these and other heterothallic aspergilli whereas much variation was seen in the arrangement of MAT loci in homothallic aspergilli. This suggested that it is most likely that the common ancestor of the aspergilli exhibited a heterothallic breeding system. Finally, the supposed prevalence of asexuality in the aspergilli was examined. Investigations were made using A. clavatus as a representative 'asexual' species. It was possible to induce a sexual cycle in A. clavatus given the correct MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 partners and environmental conditions, with recombination confirmed utilising molecular markers. This indicated that sexual reproduction might be possible in many supposedly asexual aspergilli and beyond, providing general insights into the nature of asexuality in fungi.

Dataset Information

Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.

Publications

Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.

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