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A High-Resolution Map of Meiotic Recombination in Cryptococcus deneoformans Demonstrates Decreased Recombination in
Cullen Roth1,2, Sheng Sun3, R Blake Billmyre2,3
1Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708.
Abstract:
Multiple species within the basidiomycete genus Cryptococcus cause cryptococcal disease. These species are estimated to affect nearly a quarter of a million people leading to ∼180,000 mortalities, annually. Sexual reproduction, which can occur between haploid yeasts of the same or opposite mating type, is a potentially important contributor to pathogenesis as recombination can generate novel genotypes and transgressive phenotypes. However, our quantitative understanding of recombination in this clinically important yeast is limited. Here, we describe genome-wide estimates of recombination rates in Cryptococcus deneoformans and compare recombination between progeny from α-α unisexual and a-α bisexual crosses. We find that offspring from bisexual crosses have modestly higher average rates of recombination than those derived from unisexual crosses. Recombination hot and cold spots across the C. deneoformans genome are also identified and are associated with increased GC content. Finally, we observed regions genome-wide with allele frequencies deviating from the expected parental ratio. These findings and observations advance our quantitative understanding of the genetic events that occur during sexual reproduction in C. deneoformans, and the impact that different forms of sexual reproduction are likely to have on genetic diversity in this important fungal pathogen.
Insights
Sexual reproduction in Cryptococcus deneoformans, a fungal pathogen, generates genetic diversity. Bisexual crosses show higher recombination rates than unisexual crosses, impacting pathogen evolution.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Cryptococcus species cause significant human disease, leading to high mortality rates annually.
- Sexual reproduction in Cryptococcus is a key factor in generating genetic diversity and potentially novel pathogenic traits.
- Quantitative understanding of recombination dynamics in this clinically important yeast genus remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide genome-wide estimates of recombination rates in Cryptococcus deneoformans.
- To compare recombination rates between unisexual (α-α) and bisexual (a-α) crosses.
- To identify recombination hotspots and coldspots and investigate their genomic associations.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide analysis of recombination rates in Cryptococcus deneoformans.
- Comparative analysis of progeny from unisexual and bisexual crosses.
- Identification and characterization of recombination hotspots and coldspots, correlating with GC content.
Main Results:
- Offspring from bisexual crosses exhibited modestly higher average recombination rates compared to unisexual crosses.
- Specific genomic regions were identified as recombination hotspots and coldspots, associated with increased GC content.
- Regions with allele frequencies deviating from expected parental ratios were observed across the genome.
Conclusions:
- This study advances the quantitative understanding of sexual reproduction and recombination in Cryptococcus deneoformans.
- Different modes of sexual reproduction (unisexual vs. bisexual) have a measurable impact on genetic diversity.
- Findings provide insights into the evolutionary potential of this important fungal pathogen.
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