Chromerid genomes reveal the evolutionary path from photosynthetic algae to obligate intracellular parasites.

Elife
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

The eukaryotic phylum Apicomplexa encompasses thousands of obligate intracellular parasites of humans and animals with immense socio-economic and health impacts. We sequenced nuclear genomes of Chromera velia and Vitrella brassicaformis, free-living non-parasitic photosynthetic algae closely related to apicomplexans. Proteins from key metabolic pathways and from the endomembrane trafficking systems associated with a free-living lifestyle have been progressively and non-randomly lost during adaptation to parasitism. The free-living ancestor contained a broad repertoire of genes many of which were repurposed for parasitic processes, such as extracellular proteins, components of a motility apparatus, and DNA- and RNA-binding protein families. Based on transcriptome analyses across 36 environmental conditions, Chromera orthologs of apicomplexan invasion-related motility genes were co-regulated with genes encoding the flagellar apparatus, supporting the functional contribution of flagella to the evolution of invasion machinery. This study provides insights into how obligate parasites with diverse life strategies arose from a once free-living phototrophic marine alga.

Year of Publication
2015
Journal
Elife
Volume
4
Pages
e06974
Date Published
2015 Jul 15
ISSN
2050-084X
URL
DOI
10.7554/eLife.06974
PubMed ID
26175406
PubMed Central ID
PMC4501334
Links
Grant list
HHSN272200900018C / PHS HHS / United States