Researchers sequence genome of a fungus that causes life-threatening pneumonia

NIH | APRIL 11, 2016

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, in collaboration with extramural organizations, have sequenced nearly the entire genome of human, mouse and rat Pneumocystis. This organism causes a life-threatening pneumonia in immunosuppressed hosts.

Pneumocystis jirovecii cysts from bronchoalveolar lavage, stained with Toluidine blue O stain. Image credit: InvictaHOG/Wikipedia (PD)

Through analysis of the genomes, researchers now better understand where the organism lives and how it avoids elimination by its hosts’ immune system.

The high quality of the genomes allowed not only identification of metabolic pathways that are critical to the growth and survival of the organism, but also recognition that a large number of pathways that are present in other closely related fungi are absent from Pneumocystis. These pathways likely disappeared as Pneumocystis evolved to become highly dependent on its mammalian host to stay alive.

The research has mapped out a clearer picture of these genomes than any prior studies. The team’s effort has resulted in high-quality, near chromosomal draft genomes, which is the highest level of genomic mapping. This detailed description of the genes that are present or missing should facilitate attempts to culture the organism, a critical milestone in Pneumocystis research.

Culturing could allow for screening of a large number of drugs to speed up identification of new treatments for Pneumocystis pneumonia, and potentially allow for genetic manipulation to modify individual genes and see what impact they have on organism growth and on its harmful impact to the host.

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