Microevolution of Trypanosoma cruzi reveals hybridization and clonal mechanisms driving rapid genome diversification

Author:

Matos Gabriel Machado12ORCID,Lewis Michael D3,Talavera-López Carlos24,Yeo Matthew3,Grisard Edmundo C5,Messenger Louisa A3,Miles Michael A3,Andersson Björn2ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

2. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute

3. Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

4. Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich

5. Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Abstract

Protozoa and fungi are known to have extraordinarily diverse mechanisms of genetic exchange. However, the presence and epidemiological relevance of genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, has been controversial and debated for many years. Field studies have identified both predominantly clonal and sexually recombining natural populations. Two of six natural T. cruzi lineages (TcV and TcVI) show hybrid mosaicism, using analysis of single-gene locus markers. The formation of hybrid strains in vitro has been achieved and this provides a framework to study the mechanisms and adaptive significance of genetic exchange. Using whole genome sequencing of a set of experimental hybrids strains, we have confirmed that hybrid formation initially results in tetraploid parasites. The hybrid progeny showed novel mutations that were not attributable to either (diploid) parent showing an increase in amino acid changes. In long-term culture, up to 800 generations, there was a variable but gradual erosion of progeny genomes towards triploidy, yet retention of elevated copy number was observed at several core housekeeping loci. Our findings indicate hybrid formation by fusion of diploid T. cruzi, followed by sporadic genome erosion, but with substantial potential for adaptive evolution, as has been described as a genetic feature of other organisms, such as some fungi.

Funder

Swedish Research Council

CAPES

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

Subject

General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience

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