Two high-quality Prototheca zopfii genomes provide new insights into their evolution as obligate algal heterotrophs and their pathogenicity.

ABSTRACT: The majority of the nearly 10,000 described species of green algae are photoautotrophs; however, some species have lost their ability to photosynthesize and become obligate heterotrophs that rely on parasitism for survival. Two high-quality genomes of the heterotrophic algae Prototheca zopfii Pz20 and Pz23 were obtained using short- and long-read genomic as well as transcriptomic data. The genome sizes were 31.2 Mb and 31.3 Mb, respectively, and contig N50 values of 1.99 Mb and 1.26 Mb. Although P. zopfii maintained its plastid genome, the transition to heterotrophy led to a reduction in both plastid and nuclear genome size, including the loss of photosynthesis-related genes from both the nuclear and plastid genomes and the elimination of genes encoding for carotenoid oxygena

SUBMITTER: Jian J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11302234 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature