A complete Leishmania donovani reference genome identifies novel genetic variations associated with virulence.

ABSTRACT: Leishmania donovani is responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected and lethal parasitic disease with limited treatment options and no vaccine. The study of L. donovani has been hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome and this can impact experimental outcomes including the identification of virulence genes, drug targets and vaccine development. We therefore generated a complete genome assembly by deep sequencing using a combination of second generation (Illumina) and third generation (PacBio) sequencing technologies. Compared to the current L. donovani assembly, the genome assembly reported within resulted in the closure over 2,000 gaps, the extension of several chromosomes up to telomeric repeats and the re-annotation of close to 15% of protein coding genes and the

SUBMITTER: Lypaczewski P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6224596 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature