Prototheca paracutis sp. nov., a novel oleaginous achlorophyllous microalga isolated from a mangrove forest

Kunthiphun, Sineenath; Endoh, Rikiya; Takashima, Masako; Ohkuma, Moriya; Tanasupawat, Somboon; Savarajara, Ancharida

doi:10.1016/j.myc.2019.02.003

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Prototheca wickerhamii , Prototheca cutis , Prototheca miyajii ) [ 4 ]. More recently, a new species of Prototheca paracutis has been described [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A first insight into the genome of Prototheca wickerhamii, a major causative agent of human protothecosis

et al. 2021

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Background Colourless microalgae of the Prototheca genus are the only known plants that have consistently been implicated in a range of clinically relevant opportunistic infections in both animals and humans. The Prototheca algae are emerging pathogens, whose incidence has increased importantly over the past two decades. Prototheca wickerhamii is a major human pathogen, responsible for at least 115 cases worldwide. Although the algae are receiving more attention nowadays, there is still a substantial knowledge gap regarding their biology, and pathogenicity in particular. Here we report, for the first time, the complete nuclear genome, organelle genomes, and transcriptome of the P. wickerhamii type strain ATCC 16529. Results The assembled genome size was of 16.7 Mbp, making it the smallest and most compact genome sequenced so far among the protothecans. Key features of the genome included a high overall GC content (64.5%), a high number (6081) and proportion (45.9%) of protein-coding genes, and a low repetitive sequence content (2.2%). The vast majority (90.6%) of the predicted genes were confirmed with the corresponding transcripts upon RNA-sequencing analysis. Most (93.2%) of the genes had their putative function assigned when searched against the InterProScan database. A fourth (23.3%) of the genes were annotated with an enzymatic activity possibly associated with the adaptation to the human host environment. The P. wickerhamii genome encoded a wide array of possible virulence factors, including those already identified in two model opportunistic fungal pathogens, i.e. Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum, and thought to be involved in invasion of the host or elicitation of the adaptive stress response. Approximately 6% of the P. wickerhamii genes matched a Pathogen-Host Interaction Database entry and had a previously experimentally proven role in the disease development. Furthermore, genes coding for proteins (e.g. ATPase, malate dehydrogenase) hitherto considered as potential virulence factors of Prototheca spp. were demonstrated in the P. wickerhamii genome. Conclusions Overall, this study is the first to describe the genetic make-up of P. wickerhamii and discovers proteins possibly involved in the development of protothecosis.

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“…Prototheca wickerhamii , Prototheca cutis , Prototheca miyajii ) [ 4 ]. More recently, a new species of Prototheca paracutis has been described [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A first insight into the genome of Prototheca wickerhamii, a major causative agent of human protothecosis

et al. 2021

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“…Nonetheless, neither of these methods can accurately identify Prototheca to the species level. Molecular characterization using SSU rRNA and cytb genes has greatly facilitated species identification [29,38]. Herein we isolated four strains of Prototheca from faecal samples of Thai volunteers living in the rural area of Chacheongsao.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prototheca bovis, a unicellular achlorophyllous trebouxiophyte green alga in the healthy human intestine

Jinatham

Cantoni

Brown

et al. 2021

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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Introduction. Prototheca species are non-photosynthetic trebouxiophyte algae ubiquitously distributed in nature and can be found in sewage and soil. This microbial eukaryote causes human protothecosis in immunocompromised individuals. Thus, Prototheca presence in the stool of individuals without gastrointestinal symptoms has been reported only rarely. Hypothesis/Gap statement. There is an absence of detailed characterization of human Prototheca isolates. Aim. The aim of this study was to perform morphological and molecular characterization of Prototheca isolates obtained from human stool. Methodology. Prototheca was isolated from faecal samples of four individuals living in a rural area in Thailand. A combination of bioimaging along with molecular and bioinformatics tools was used to characterize the four strains. The growth rate was tested using four media and three temperature conditions. Phylogenetic analysis using the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and cytochrome b (cytb) was also performed. Results. Static and live microscopy demonstrated the various life stages of Prototheca and its major defining cellular characteristics. An optimized DNA extraction methodology that improves DNA yield is provided. Partial fragments of the SSU rRNA and cytb genes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis placed all four strains in the clade with Prototheca bovis. More broadly, Prototheca was not monophyletic but split into at least two distinct clades instead. Conclusion. The results represent the first molecular characterization of Prototheca in Thailand. The study provides insight into transmission dynamics of the organism and potential caveats in estimating the global prevalence of Prototheca. These will spearhead further investigations on Prototheca occurrence in rural areas of both industrialized and developing nations.

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“…Furthermore, five new species were proposed: P. cerasi , P. cookei , P. pringsheimii , P. xanthoriae and the re-defined P. zopfii . In addition, a new species, P. paracutis , has also been recently described [ 17 ]. Of the 15 Prototheca species, only six ( P. blaschkeae , P. bovis , P. cutis , P. miyajii , P. ciferrii and P. wickerhamii ) have been clearly implicated as human and animal pathogens [ 1 , 8 ].…”

Section: The Prototheca Genusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prototheca Infections and Ecology from a One Health Perspective

et al. 2022

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Prototheca microalgae were only recognized as pathogens of both humans and animals in the 1960s; however, since then, these microbes have been drawing increasing interest in both human and veterinary medicine. The first human outbreak of protothecosis in a tertiary care chemotherapy ward in 2018 further highlighted the need to understand in more depth and detail their ecology, etiology, pathogenesis and routes of transmission between different hosts, environments and habitats from a One Health perspective. Protothecal infections have been reported in a growing number of cattle herds around the world in recent decades, and Prototheca has become an important bovine mastitis pathogen in certain countries and regions. The survival of Prototheca in the environment and its ability to spread in the herd pose a serious challenge to the management of infected dairy farms. Prevention of the disease is particularly important, as there is no effective and reliable treatment for it and the chances of self-healing are minimal. Therefore, the development of more effective drugs is needed for the treatment of human and animal protothecosis. The prudent use of antibiotics and their replacement by alternative or preventive measures, when possible, may further contribute to the control of protothecal infections.

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Prototheca paracutis sp. nov., a novel oleaginous achlorophyllous microalga isolated from a mangrove forest

Cited by 12 publications

References 28 publications

A first insight into the genome of Prototheca wickerhamii, a major causative agent of human protothecosis

A first insight into the genome of Prototheca wickerhamii, a major causative agent of human protothecosis

Prototheca bovis, a unicellular achlorophyllous trebouxiophyte green alga in the healthy human intestine

Prototheca Infections and Ecology from a One Health Perspective

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