Genome analysis of five recently described species of the CUG-Ser clade uncovers Candida theae as a new hybrid lineage with pathogenic potential in the Candida parapsilosis species complex

0557225 - BC 2023 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Mixao, V. - del Olmo, A. - Hegedüsová, Eva - Saus, E. - Pryszcz, L. - Cillingová, A. - Nosek, J. - Gabaldon, T.
Genome analysis of five recently described species of the CUG-Ser clade uncovers Candida theae as a new hybrid lineage with pathogenic potential in the Candida parapsilosis species complex.
Dna Research. Roč. 29, č. 2 (2022), č. článku dsac010. ISSN 1340-2838. E-ISSN 1756-1663
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : mitochondrial genome * functional annotation * yeast * dna * sequence * evolution * tool * orthopsilosis * variability * telomeres * Candida parapsilosis clade * Candida yeast hybrids * genome sequence * linear mitochondrial genome * hydroxyaromatic compounds
OECD category: Genetics and heredity (medical genetics to be 3)
Impact factor: 4.1, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://academic.oup.com/dnaresearch/article/29/2/dsac010/6570588?login=true

Candida parapsilosis species complex comprises three important pathogenic species: Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis. The majority of C. orthopsilosis and all C. metapsilosis isolates sequenced thus far are hybrids, and most of the parental lineages remain unidentified. This led to the hypothesis that hybrids with pathogenic potential were formed by the hybridization of non-pathogenic lineages that thrive in the environment. In a search for the missing hybrid parentals, and aiming to get a better understanding of the evolution of the species complex, we sequenced, assembled and analysed the genome of five close relatives isolated from the environment: Candida jiufengensis, Candida pseudojiufengensis, Candida oxycetoniae, Candida margitis and Candida theae. We found that the linear conformation of mitochondrial genomes in Candida species emerged multiple times independently. Furthermore, our analyses discarded the possible involvement of these species in the mentioned hybridizations, but identified C. theae as an additional hybrid in the species complex. Importantly, C. theae was recently associated with a case of infection, and we also uncovered the hybrid nature of this clinical isolate. Altogether, our results reinforce the hypothesis that hybridization is widespread among Candida species, and potentially contributes to the emergence of lineages with opportunistic pathogenic behaviour.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0340128