The Genome of Spironucleus salmonicida Highlights a Fish Pathogen Adapted to Fluctuating Environments

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004053
• Publication Date: 2014-02-06T21:49:46Z
• Authors: Feifei Xu; Jon Jerlström-Hul...; Elin Einarsson; Ásgeir Ástvaldsson; Staffan G. Svärd; Jan O. Andersson
• Keywords: Giardia

Spironucleus salmonicida causes systemic infections in salmonid fish. It belongs to the group diplomonads, binucleated heterotrophic flagellates adapted micro-aerobic environments. Recently we identified energy-producing hydrogenosomes S. salmonicida. Here present a genome analysis of fish parasite with focus on comparison more studied diplomonad Giardia intestinalis. We annotated 8067 protein coding genes ∼12.9 Mbp genome. Unlike G. intestinalis, promoter-like motifs were found upstream which are correlated gene expression, suggesting elaborate transcriptional regulation. can utilise carbohydrates as energy sources, has an extended amino acid and sulfur metabolism, enzymes involved scavenging reactive oxygen species compared Both genomes have large families cysteine-rich membrane proteins. A cluster indicated divergence these two diplomonads. Nevertheless, one proteins was localised plasma similar intestinalis variant-surface homologs cyst wall showed that is functional when expressed Giardia. This suggests transmitted between hosts. The metabolic repertoire extensive regulation suggest cope environmental fluctuations. Our analyses indicate well-adapted pathogen colonize different sites host.