Genome size, complexity, and ploidy of the pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.

ABSTRACT: The genome size, complexity, and ploidy of the dimorphic pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum was determined by using DNA renaturation kinetics, genomic reconstruction, and flow cytometry. Nuclear DNA was isolated from two strains, G186AS and Downs, and analyzed by renaturation kinetics and genomic reconstruction with three putative single-copy genes (calmodulin, alpha-tubulin, and beta-tubulin). G186AS was found to have a genome of approximately 2.3 x 10(7) bp with less than 0.5% repetitive sequences. The Downs strain, however, was found to have a genome approximately 40% larger with more than 16 times more repetitive DNA. The Downs genome was determined to be 3.2 x 10(7) bp with approximately 8% repetitive DNA. To determine ploidy, the DNA mass per cell measured by flow cytometry was

SUBMITTER: Carr J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC107776 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature