Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes

Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key components of the mating and meiosis pathways are missing from several species. These include major differences at the mating-type loci (MTL); Lodderomyces elongisporus lacks MTL, and components of the a1/α2 cell identity…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UD
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• AP
  Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
• WT
  Wellcome Trust
• BI
  Broad Institute
• SF
  Science Foundation Ireland
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Awards: BB/F007892/1, BB/F00513X/1, BB/F013566/1
• NH
  National Human Genome Research Institute