Genomic Variation Among Strains of and

Overview

Journal mSphere

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialties Microbiology
Parasitology

Date 2019 Sep 13

PMID 31511368

Citations 6

Authors

Evgeny Gerasimov

Niklaus Zemp

Regula Schmid-Hempel

Paul Schmid-Hempel

Vyacheslav Yurchenko

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 40 strains, in addition to the already-reported two type strains, of two species infecting bumblebees in Alaska and Central Europe and demonstrated that different strains of and vary considerably in terms of single nucleotide polymorphisms and gene copy number. Based on the genomic structure, phylogenetic analyses, and the pattern of copy number variation, we confirmed the status of as a separate species. The Alaskan populations appear to be clearly separated from those of Central Europe. This pattern fits a scenario of rapid host-parasite coevolution, where the selective advantage of a given parasite strain is only temporary. This study provides helpful insights into possible scenarios of selection and diversification of trypanosomatid parasites. A group of trypanosomatid flagellates includes several well-studied medically and economically important parasites of vertebrates and plants. Nevertheless, the vast majority of trypanosomatids infect only insects (mostly flies and true bugs) and, because of that, has attracted little research attention in the past. Of several hundred trypanosomatid species, only four can infect bees (honeybees and bumblebees). Because of such scarcity, these parasites are severely understudied. We analyzed whole-genome information for a total of 42 representatives of bee-infecting trypanosomatids collected in Central Europe and Alaska from a population genetics point of view. Our data shed light on the evolution, selection, and diversification in this important group of trypanosomatid parasites.

Citing Articles

The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications.

Tiritelli R, Cilia G, Gomez-Moracho T Curr Res Insect Sci. 2025; 7:100106.

PMID: 39925747 PMC: 11803887. DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2025.100106.

Kinetoplast Genome of spp. Is under Strong Purifying Selection.

Gerasimov E, Novozhilova T, Zimmer S, Yurchenko V Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023; 8(8).

PMID: 37624322 PMC: 10458658. DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080384.

Genomic analysis of Leishmania turanica strains from different regions of Central Asia.

Novozhilova T, Chistyakov D, Akhmadishina L, Lukashev A, Gerasimov E, Yurchenko V PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023; 17(3):e0011145.

PMID: 36877735 PMC: 10019736. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011145.

Genetic variation and microbiota in bumble bees cross-infected by different strains of C. bombi.

Barribeau S, Schmid-Hempel P, Walser J, Zoller S, Berchtold M, Schmid-Hempel R PLoS One. 2022; 17(11):e0277041.

PMID: 36441679 PMC: 9704641. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277041.

Bee Trypanosomatids: First Steps in the Analysis of the Genetic Variation and Population Structure of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia bombi and Crithidia mellificae.

Bartolome C, Buendia-Abad M, Ornosa C, De la Rua P, Martin-Hernandez R, Higes M Microb Ecol. 2021; 84(3):856-867.

PMID: 34609533 PMC: 9622509. DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01882-w.

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