Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.

Nature
Authors
Keywords
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.

Year of Publication
2009
Journal
Nature
Volume
459
Issue
7247
Pages
657-62
Date Published
2009 Jun 4
ISSN
1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/nature08064
PubMed ID
19465905
PubMed Central ID
PMC2834264
Links
Grant list
BB/F00513X/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom
BB/F007892/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom
BB/F013566/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council / United Kingdom
G0400284 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
HHSN266200400001C / AO / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI050113 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI075096 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 HG004037 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HG004037-02 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG003067 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG003067-06 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom