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Genome sequencing reveals metabolic and cellular interdependence in an amoeba-kinetoplastid symbiosis

Abstract:
Endosymbiotic relationships between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are common in nature. Endosymbioses between two eukaryotes are also known; cyanobacterium-derived plastids have spread horizontally when one eukaryote assimilated another. A unique instance of a non-photosynthetic, eukaryotic endosymbiont involves members of the genus Paramoeba, amoebozoans that infect marine animals such as farmed fish and sea urchins. Paramoeba species harbor endosymbionts belonging to the Kinetoplastea, a diverse group of flagellate protists including some that cause devastating diseases. To elucidate the nature of this eukaryote-eukaryote association, we sequenced the genomes and transcriptomes of Paramoeba pemaquidensis and its endosymbiont Perkinsela sp. The endosymbiont nuclear genome is ~9.5 Mbp in size, the smallest of a kinetoplastid thus far discovered. Genomic analyses show that Perkinsela sp. has lost the ability to make a flagellum but retains hallmark features of kinetoplastid biology, including polycistronic transcription, trans-splicing, and a glycosome-like organelle. Mosaic biochemical pathways suggest extensive 'cross-talk' between the two organisms, and electron microscopy shows that the endosymbiont ingests amoeba cytoplasm, a novel form of endosymbiont-host communication. Our data reveal the cell biological and biochemical basis of the obligate relationship between Perkinsela sp. and its amoeba host, and provide a foundation for understanding pathogenicity determinants in economically important Paramoeba.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41598-017-11866-x

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Pathology Dunn School
Role:
Author


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Funding agency for:
Lukeš, J
Grant:
LL1601
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Archibald, J
Grant:
MOP-115141
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Lukeš, J
Grant:
LL1601
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Dean, S
Gull, K
Grant:
104627/Z/14/Z
104627/Z/14/Z
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Flegontov, P


Publisher:
Nature Publishing Group
Journal:
Scientific Reports More from this journal
Volume:
7
Issue:
11688
Pages:
1-8
Publication date:
2017-09-15
Acceptance date:
2017-08-31
DOI:
EISSN:
2045-2322
ISSN:
2045-2322
Pmid:
28916813


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:729967
UUID:
uuid:2ace8191-71b0-4ef6-b199-e0615ef40964
Local pid:
pubs:729967
Source identifiers:
729967
Deposit date:
2017-11-20

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