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| Evidence for sexuality in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus |
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| Author(s): Paoletti M, Rydholm C, Schwier EU, Anderson MJ, Szakacs G, Lutzoni F, Debeaupuis JP, Latge JP, Denning DW, Dyer PS |
| Source: CURRENT BIOLOGY Volume: 15 Issue: 13 Pages: 1242-1248 Published: JUL 12 2005 |
| Times Cited: 73 References: 59 |
| Abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus is a medically important opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of respiratory allergy [1]. The species has long been considered an asexual organism. However, genome analysis has revealed the presence of genes associated with sexual reproduction, including a MAT-2 high-mobility group mating-type gene and genes for pheromone production and detection (Galagan et al., personal communication; Nierman et al., personal communication; [2, 3]). We now demonstrate that A. fumigatus has other key characteristics of a sexual species. We reveal the existence of isolates containing a complementary MAT-1 alpha box mating-type gene and show that the MAT locus has an idiomorph structure characteristic of heterothallic (obligate sexual outbreeding) fungi [4, 5]. Analysis of 290 worldwide clinical and environmental isolates with a multiplex-PCR assay revealed the presence of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 genotypes in similar proportions (43% and 57%, respectively). Further population genetic analyses provided evidence of recombination across a global sampling and within North American and European subpopulations. We also show that mating-type, pheromone-precursor, and pheromone-receptor genes are expressed during mycelial growth. These results indicate that A. fumigatus has a recent evolutionary history of sexual recombination and might have the potential for sexual reproduction. The possible presence of a sexual cycle is highly significant for the population biology and disease management of the species. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Dyer, PS (reprint author), Univ Nottingham, Sch Biol, Univ Pk, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England |
Addresses:
1. Univ Nottingham, Sch Biol, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England
2. Duke Univ, Dept Biol, Durham, NC 27708 USA
3. Univ Manchester, Sch Med, Manchester M13 9PT, Lancs England
4. Tech Univ Budapest, Dept Agr Chem Technol, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
5. Inst Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France |
| Publisher: CELL PRESS, 1100 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138 USA |
| Subject Category: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |
| IDS Number: 947QY |
| ISSN: 0960-9822 |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.05.045 |
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