Genomic insights into the host specific adaptation of the Pneumocystis genus.

Commun Biol
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Pneumocystis jirovecii, the fungal agent of human Pneumocystis pneumonia, is closely related to macaque Pneumocystis. Little is known about other Pneumocystis species in distantly related mammals, none of which are capable of establishing infection in humans. The molecular basis of host specificity in Pneumocystis remains unknown as experiments are limited due to an inability to culture any species in vitro. To explore Pneumocystis evolutionary adaptations, we have sequenced the genomes of species infecting macaques, rabbits, dogs and rats and compared them to available genomes of species infecting humans, mice and rats. Complete whole genome sequence data enables analysis and robust phylogeny, identification of important genetic features of the host adaptation, and estimation of speciation timing relative to the rise of their mammalian hosts. Our data reveals insights into the evolution of P. jirovecii, the sole member of the genus able to infect humans.

Year of Publication
2021
Journal
Commun Biol
Volume
4
Issue
1
Pages
305
Date Published
2021 03 08
ISSN
2399-3642
DOI
10.1038/s42003-021-01799-7
PubMed ID
33686174
PubMed Central ID
PMC7940399
Links
Grant list
I01 BX004441 / BX / BLRD VA / United States
IK6 BX005232 / BX / BLRD VA / United States
P51 OD011104 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL146266 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States