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Comparative genomics of trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa
- Source :
- Science. July 15, 2005, Vol. 309 Issue 5733, p404, 6 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- A comparison of gene content and genome architecture of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major, three related pathogens with different life cycles and disease pathology, revealed a conserved core proteome of about 6200 genes in large syntenic polycistronic gene clusters. Many species-specific genes, especially large surface antigen families, occur at nonsyntenic chromosome-internal and subtelomeric regions. Retroelements, structural RNAs, and gene family expansion are often associated with syntenic discontinuities that--along with gene divergence, acquisition and loss, and rearrangement within the syntenic regions--have shaped the genomes of each parasite. Contrary to recent reports, our analyses reveal no evidence that these species are descended from an ancestor that contained a photosynthetic endosymbiont.<br />The protozoan pamogens Leishmania major, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei (family Trypanosomatidae, order Kinetoplastida) collectively cause disease and death in millions of humans and countless infections in other mammals, primarily [...]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00368075
- Volume :
- 309
- Issue :
- 5733
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.134675150