Sympatric Recombination in Zoonotic Cryptosporidium Leads to Emergence of Populations with Modified Host Preference. (1st July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Tianpeng; Guo, Yaqiong; Roellig, Dawn M; Li, Na; Santín, Mónica; Lombard, Jason; Kváč, Martin; Naguib, Doaa; Zhang, Ziding; Feng, Yaoyu; Xiao, Lihua
• Editors: Battistuzzi, Fabia Ursula
• Is Part Of: Molecular biology and evolution. Volume 39:Number 7(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-01
• Subjects: Cryptosporidium parvum -- genome evolution -- population genetics -- recombination -- adaptive selection -- emerging infection; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular evolution -- Periodicals; Evolution, Molecular -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-4038

Abstract

Abstract: Genetic recombination plays a critical role in the emergence of pathogens with phenotypes such as drug resistance, virulence, and host adaptation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that recombination between sympatric ancestral populations leads to the emergence of divergent variants of the zoonotic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum with modified host ranges. Comparative genomic analyses of 101 isolates have identified seven subpopulations isolated by distance. They appear to be descendants of two ancestral populations, IIa in northwestern Europe and IId from southwestern Asia. Sympatric recombination in areas with both ancestral subtypes and subsequent selective sweeps have led to the emergence of new subpopulations with mosaic genomes and modified host preference. Subtelomeric genes could be involved in the adaptive selection of subpopulations, while copy number variations of genes encoding invasion-associated proteins are potentially associated with modified host ranges. These observations reveal ancestral origins of zoonotic C. parvum and suggest that pathogen import through modern animal farming might promote the emergence of divergent subpopulations of C. parvum with modified host preference.