AUTHOR=Jiang Hongbo , Bao Jie , Xing Yuenan , Li Xiaodong , Chen Qijun 

TITLE=Comparative Genomic Analyses Provide Insight Into the Pathogenicity of Metschnikowia bicuspidata LNES0119

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.939141

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.939141

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</italic> is a globally distributed pathogenic yeast with a wide range of aquatic hosts. A new strain, <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> LNES0119, isolated from the Chinese mitten crab <italic>Eriocheir sinensis</italic>, has caused a serious reduction in production and marked economic loss for the aquaculture industry in China. Therefore, the whole-genome sequence of <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> LNES0119 was sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology; whole-genome annotation and comparative genomic analyses of this pathogen were performed as well. A high-quality genome of <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> LNES0119 was 16.13 Mb in size, with six scaffolds and six contigs, and encoded 5,567 putative predicted genes. Of these, 1,467 genes shared substantial homology with genes in the pathogen–host interactions database. Comparative genomic analyses of three <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> strains and one non-pathogenic yeast, <italic>M.</italic> aff. <italic>pulcherrima</italic>, showed 331 unique genes in <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> LNES0119, 30 of which were putatively related to pathogenicity. Overall, we identified several meaningful characteristics related to pathogenicity and virulence that may play essential roles in the infection and pathogenicity of <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> LNES0119. Our study will aid in identifying potential targets for further exploration of the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> as well as the therapeutic intervention of <italic>M. bicuspidata</italic> infection.</p>