The macronuclear genome of the Antarctic psychrophilic marine ciliate Euplotes focardii reveals new insights on molecular cold adaptation.

ABSTRACT: The macronuclear (MAC) genomes of ciliates belonging to the genus Euplotes species are comprised of numerous small DNA molecules, nanochromosomes, each typically encoding a single gene. These genomes are responsible for all gene expression during vegetative cell growth. Here, we report the analysis of the MAC genome from the Antarctic psychrophile Euplotes focardii. Nanochromosomes containing bacterial sequences were not found, suggesting that phenomena of horizontal gene transfer did not occur recently, even though this ciliate species has a substantial associated bacterial consortium. As in other euplotid species, E. focardii MAC genes are characterized by a high frequency of translational frameshifting. Furthermore, in order to characterize differences that may be consequent to cold ada

SUBMITTER: Mozzicafreddo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8455672 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature