Genome sequence surveys of Brachiola algerae and Edhazardia aedis reveal microsporidia with low gene densities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microsporidia are well known models of extreme nuclear genome reduction and compaction. The smallest microsporidian genomes have received the most attention, but genomes of different species range in size from 2.3 Mb to 19.5 Mb and the nature of the larger genomes remains unknown.

Results

Here we have undertaken genome sequence surveys of two diverse microsporidia, Brachiola algerae and Edhazardia aedis. In both species we find very large intergenic regions, many transposable elements, and a low gene-density, all in contrast to the small, model microsporidian genomes. We also find no recognizable genes that are not also found in other surveyed or sequenced microsporidian genomes.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that microsporidian genome architecture var

SUBMITTER: Williams BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2387174 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature