In vitro propagation of the microsporidian pathogen Brachiola algerae and studies of its chromosome and ribosomal DNA organization in the context of the complete genome sequencing project

Parasitol Int. 2008 Mar;57(1):62-71. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2007.09.002. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Abstract

Brachiola algerae has a broad host spectrum from human to mosquitoes. The successful infection of two mosquito cell lines (Mos55: embryonic cells and Sua 4.0: hemocyte-like cells) and a human cell line (HFF) highlights the efficient adaptive capacity of this microsporidian pathogen. The molecular karyotype of this microsporidian species was determined in the context of the B. algerae genome sequencing project, showing that its haploid genome consists of 30 chromosomal-sized DNAs ranging from 160 to 2240 kbp giving an estimated genome size of 23 Mbp. A contig of 12,269 bp including the DNA sequence of the B. algerae ribosomal transcription unit has been built from initial genomic sequences and the secondary structure of the large subunit rRNA constructed. The data obtained indicate that B. algerae should be an excellent parasitic model to understand genome evolution in relation to infectious capacity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / cytology
  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / metabolism
  • Apansporoblastina / genetics*
  • Apansporoblastina / growth & development*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics*
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • Gene Order
  • Genome, Protozoan / genetics*
  • Hemocytes / cytology
  • Hemocytes / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microsporidiosis / parasitology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Ribosome Subunits, Large, Eukaryotic / chemistry

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer