Phylogenetic analysis of pathogenic algae reveals lineage-dependent patterns of phagocytosis.

ABSTRACT: Prototheca is an unusual genus of algae that lack chlorophyll and are obligate heterotrophs. To date, six paraphyletic pathogenic species have been identified in the context of vertebrates, principally in cattle-associated and human-associated infections. Together with the genus Auxenochlorella and Helicosporidium, rDNA sequence analysis currently favors grouping Prototheca under a clade known as the Auxenochlorella, Helicosporidium and Prototheca (AHP) lineage. Most studies so far have focused only on Prototheca bovis and Prototheca ciferrii as cattle-associated species and on Prototheca wickerhamii as a human-associated species. However, such studies remain limited in scope as they focus on only three species of Prototheca, which is

SUBMITTER: Shave CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12153285 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature