Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
10:33

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure

Published on: May 27, 2022

5.8K

Population structure in a fungal human pathogen is potentially linked to pathogenicity

E Anne Hatmaker1,2, Amelia E Barber3, Milton T Drott4

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Nature Communications
|August 15, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Genomic analysis of Aspergillus flavus reveals five distinct populations, with a newly identified population D predominantly linked to human infections. This finding offers insights into fungal pathogenicity and genetic factors driving disease.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Genomics
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Aspergillus flavus is a significant fungal pathogen impacting human health and agriculture.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of A. flavus is crucial for addressing its clinical and agricultural relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the population structure and pan-genome of Aspergillus flavus using genomic data.
  • To explore the relationship between A. flavus population structure and its pathogenicity in human infections.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genomic data from 300 A. flavus isolates (117 clinical, 183 environmental) across 13 countries.
  • Phylogenetic analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), admixture analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA).
  • Orthogroup clustering to identify core and accessory genes within the pan-genome.

Main Results:

  • Identification of five distinct A. flavus populations, including a novel population D, which comprises over 75% of clinical isolates.
  • Accessory genes, particularly those in biosynthetic gene clusters, showed variable distribution across populations.
  • Population D is enriched for genes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and hydrolase activity, while a non-clinical population is deficient in zinc ion binding genes.

Conclusions:

  • A. flavus population structure is strongly associated with human isolation, unlike in Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • Population D represents a significant reservoir for clinical A. flavus strains.
  • Genetic variations between A. flavus populations contribute to human pathogenicity, warranting further investigation.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Wild Monochamus alternatus Populations for Biocontrol Applications in Forest Wood Borers06:58

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Wild Monochamus alternatus Populations for Biocontrol Applications in Forest Wood Borers

Published on: September 29, 2023

874
Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations08:03

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
119
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
200
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
224
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
121
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
147
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
135