A new chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of Cryptosporidium meleagridis
Lasya R Penumarthi1,2, Rodrigo P Baptista1,2, Megan S Beaudry3
1Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia. Athens, Georgia. 30602, USA.
Abstract:
Cryptosporidium spp. are medically and scientifically relevant protozoan parasites that cause severe diarrheal illness in infants and immunosuppressed populations as well as animals. Although most human Cryptosporidium infections are caused by C. parvum and C. hominis, there are several other human-infecting species including C. meleagridis, which is commonly observed in developing countries. Here, we polished and annotated a long-read genome sequence assembly for C. meleagridis TU1867, a species which infects birds and humans. The genome sequence was generated using a combination of whole genome amplification (WGA) and long-read Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing. The assembly was then polished with Illumina data. The chromosome-level genome assembly is 9.2 Mbp with a contig N50 of 1.1 Mb. Annotation revealed 3,923 protein-coding genes. A BUSCO analysis indicates a completeness of 96.6% (n=446), including 430 (96.4%) single-copy and 1 (0.224%) duplicated apicomplexan conserved gene(s). The new C. meleagridis genome assembly is nearly gap-free and provides a valuable new resource for the Cryptosporidium community and future studies on evolution and host-specificity.
Insights
A polished genome assembly for Cryptosporidium meleagridis, a parasite causing diarrhea in humans and animals, was generated. This high-quality resource aids research into parasite evolution and host specificity.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cryptosporidium species are significant protozoan parasites responsible for diarrheal diseases in vulnerable populations and animals.
- While C. parvum and C. hominis are common causes of human cryptosporidiosis, C. meleagridis is also a notable human pathogen, particularly in developing regions.
Approach:
- A chromosome-level genome assembly for C. meleagridis TU1867 was generated using long-read Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing combined with whole genome amplification (WGA).
- The assembly was refined using Illumina sequencing data, resulting in a nearly gap-free, 9.2 Mbp genome with a contig N50 of 1.1 Mb.
- Annotation identified 3,923 protein-coding genes, and a BUSCO analysis confirmed high genome completeness (96.6%).
Key Points:
- The study presents a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly for C. meleagridis.
- The assembly is nearly gap-free and well-annotated, providing a robust dataset.
- The genome completeness was validated using BUSCO analysis, indicating a reliable representation of conserved genes.
Conclusions:
- The newly assembled and annotated C. meleagridis genome serves as a critical resource for the scientific community.
- This genomic data will facilitate future research on Cryptosporidium evolution, host-parasite interactions, and the development of targeted interventions.
