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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
High-Throughput Transcriptome Analysis for Investigating Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: March 5, 2022
Transcriptome analysis reveals pathogenicity and evolutionary history of the pathogenic oomycete Pythium insidiosum
Theerapong Krajaejun1, Tassanee Lerksuthirat2, Gagan Garg3
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok.
Abstract:
Oomycetes form a unique group of microorganisms that share hyphal morphology with fungi. Most of pathogenic oomycetes infect plants, while some species are capable of infecting animals. Pythium insidiosum is the only oomycete that can infect both humans and animals, and causes a life-threatening infectious disease, called 'pythiosis'. Controlling an infection caused by P. insidiosum is problematic because effective antimicrobial drugs are not available. Information on the biology and pathogenesis of P. insidiosum is limited. We generated a P. insidiosum transcriptome of 26 735 unigenes, using the 454 sequencing platform. As adaptations to increased temperature inside human hosts are required for a successful pathogen, we generated P. insidiosum transcriptomes at 28 °C and 37 °C and identified 625 up-regulated and 449 down-regulated genes at 37 °C. Comparing the proteomes of oomycetes, fungi, and parasites provided clues on the evolutionary history of P. insidiosum. Potential virulence factors of P. insidiosum, including putative effectors, were identified. Pythium insidiosum harbored an extensive repertoire of ∼ 300 elicitin domain-containing proteins. The transcriptome, presented herein, provides an invaluable resource for exploring P. insidiosum's biology, pathogenesis, and evolution.
Insights
Pythium insidiosum causes life-threatening pythiosis in humans and animals. This study sequenced its transcriptome, identifying genes and potential virulence factors crucial for understanding and treating this difficult-to-control infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathogenesis
- Genomics
Background:
- Oomycetes, including Pythium insidiosum, are microorganisms with fungal-like structures.
- Pythium insidiosum is unique in infecting both humans and animals, causing the severe disease pythiosis.
- Effective treatments for pythiosis are lacking due to limited knowledge of P. insidiosum biology and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a comprehensive transcriptome of Pythium insidiosum.
- To identify genes and pathways involved in P. insidiosum adaptation to host temperatures.
- To discover potential virulence factors and understand the evolutionary context of P. insidiosum.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 454 sequencing platform to generate a P. insidiosum transcriptome (26,735 unigenes).
- Compared transcriptomes at 28 °C and 37 °C to identify temperature-responsive genes.
- Analyzed proteomes of oomycetes, fungi, and parasites for evolutionary insights.
Main Results:
- A P. insidiosum transcriptome resource was created.
- Identified 625 up-regulated and 449 down-regulated genes at 37 °C, indicating adaptation to host temperature.
- Discovered potential virulence factors, including numerous elicitin domain-containing proteins and putative effectors.
Conclusions:
- The P. insidiosum transcriptome is a valuable resource for future research.
- Understanding gene expression at host temperatures is key to pathogen adaptation.
- Identification of virulence factors provides targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies against pythiosis.
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