Phylogenetic characterization of Encephalitozoon romaleae (Microsporidia) from a grasshopper host: relationship to Encephalitozoon spp. infecting humans

Infect Genet Evol. 2009 Mar;9(2):189-95. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.10.010. Epub 2008 Nov 5.

Abstract

Encephalitozoon species are the most common microsporidian pathogens of humans and domesticated animals. We recently discovered a new microsporidium, Encephalitozoon romaleae, infecting the eastern lubber grasshopper Romalea microptera. To understand its evolutionary relationships, we compared partial gene sequences of alpha- and beta-tubulin and methionine aminopeptidase 2 enzyme from this and related species. We also analyzed the rRNA internal transcribed spacer. Based on tubulin and MetAP-2 gene phylogenetic analysis, E. romaleae clustered with the Encephalitzoon group with strong bootstrap support (>99%). Within the Encephalitozoon clade, E. romaleae clustered with Encephalitozoon hellem for both the beta-tubulin and MetAP-2 phylogenies based on ML tree. The alpha-tubulin based ML tree, however, placed the new microsporidium closer to Encephalitozoon cuniculi. The rRNA internal transcribed spacer region of E. romaleae has 91% homology with E. hellem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aminopeptidases / genetics
  • Animals
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Encephalitozoon / classification*
  • Encephalitozoon / enzymology
  • Encephalitozoon / genetics
  • Encephalitozoon / physiology*
  • Encephalitozoonosis / microbiology*
  • Grasshoppers / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Tubulin / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • Tubulin
  • Aminopeptidases
  • methionine aminopeptidase 2
  • Metalloendopeptidases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/FJ026010
  • GENBANK/FJ026011
  • GENBANK/FJ026012
  • GENBANK/FJ026013