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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
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Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection
Published on: April 6, 2022
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Genome evolution in intracellular parasites: Microsporidia and Apicomplexa
Amjad Khalaf1, Ore Francis1, Mark L Blaxter1
1Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
|May 24, 2024
Summary
This review compares Microsporidia and Apicomplexa genomes, revealing how intracellular parasitic lifestyles shaped their evolution, including genome reduction and expansion. We highlight key genomic changes in these important public health parasites.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Parasitology
Background:
- Microsporidia and Apicomplexa are single-celled eukaryotic intracellular parasites with significant public health and economic impact.
- These parasite groups are typically studied independently, focusing on their distinct characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast the genome evolution of Microsporidia and Apicomplexa.
- To investigate how the transition to an intracellular lifestyle has influenced the genomic changes in these parasites.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis of recently available genomic data.
- Review of literature focusing on genome evolution, reduction, expansion, ploidy, gene shuffling, rearrangements, centromeres, and telomeres.
Main Results:
- Both Microsporidia and Apicomplexa exhibit significant genome reduction and compaction.
- Evidence of genome expansion and ploidy variations observed in certain lineages.
- Distinct patterns of gene shuffling, rearrangements, and unique centromere/telomere evolution are identified.
Conclusions:
- The intracellular parasitic lifestyle is a major driver of genome evolution in both Microsporidia and Apicomplexa.
- Comparative genomic insights reveal convergent and divergent evolutionary strategies in response to parasitism.
- Understanding these genomic adaptations is crucial for addressing the public health challenges posed by these parasites.
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