Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>

ABSTRACT Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, which is considered one of the driving forces behind the worldwide decline in populations of amphibians. As a member of the phylum Chytridiomycota, B. dendrobatidis has diverged significantly to emerge as the only pa...

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Autores principales:	John Abramyan, Jason E. Stajich
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	American Society for Microbiology 2012
Materias:	Microbiology QR1-502
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/82ded19af1a74d20aca118d785c05aea
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:82ded19af1a74d20aca118d785c05aea2021-11-15T15:39:02ZSpecies-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>10.1128/mBio.00150-122150-7511https://doaj.org/article/82ded19af1a74d20aca118d785c05aea2012-07-01T00:00:00Zhttps://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.00150-12https://doaj.org/toc/2150-7511ABSTRACT Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, which is considered one of the driving forces behind the worldwide decline in populations of amphibians. As a member of the phylum Chytridiomycota, B. dendrobatidis has diverged significantly to emerge as the only pathogen of adult vertebrates. Such shifts in lifestyle are generally accompanied by various degrees of genomic modifications, yet neither its mode of pathogenicity nor any factors associated with it have ever been identified. Presented here is the identification and characterization of a unique expansion of the carbohydrate-binding module family 18 (CBM18), specific to B. dendrobatidis. CBM (chitin-binding module) expansions have been likened to the evolution of pathogenicity in a variety of fungus species, making this expanded group a prime candidate for the identification of potential pathogenicity factors. Furthermore, the CBM18 expansions are confined to three categories of genes, each having been previously implicated in host-pathogen interactions. These correlations highlight this specific domain expansion as a potential key player in the mode of pathogenicity in this unique fungus. The expansion of CBM18 in B. dendrobatidis is exceptional in its size and diversity compared to other pathogenic species of fungi, making this genomic feature unique in an evolutionary context as well as in pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE Amphibian populations are declining worldwide at an unprecedented rate. Although various factors are thought to contribute to this phenomenon, chytridiomycosis has been identified as one of the leading causes. This deadly fungal disease is cause by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus species unique in its pathogenicity and, furthermore, its specificity to amphibians. Despite more than two decades of research, the biology of this fungus species and its deadly interaction with amphibians had been notoriously difficult to unravel. Due to the alarming rate of worldwide spread and associated decline in amphibian populations, it is imperative to incorporate novel genomic and genetic techniques into the study of this species. In this study, we present the first reported potential pathogenicity factors in B. dendrobatidis. In silico studies such as this allow us to identify putative targets for more specific molecular analyses, furthering our hope for the control of this pathogen.John AbramyanJason E. StajichAmerican Society for MicrobiologyarticleMicrobiologyQR1-502ENmBio, Vol 3, Iss 3 (2012)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Microbiology QR1-502
spellingShingle	Microbiology QR1-502 John Abramyan Jason E. Stajich Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
description	ABSTRACT Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, which is considered one of the driving forces behind the worldwide decline in populations of amphibians. As a member of the phylum Chytridiomycota, B. dendrobatidis has diverged significantly to emerge as the only pathogen of adult vertebrates. Such shifts in lifestyle are generally accompanied by various degrees of genomic modifications, yet neither its mode of pathogenicity nor any factors associated with it have ever been identified. Presented here is the identification and characterization of a unique expansion of the carbohydrate-binding module family 18 (CBM18), specific to B. dendrobatidis. CBM (chitin-binding module) expansions have been likened to the evolution of pathogenicity in a variety of fungus species, making this expanded group a prime candidate for the identification of potential pathogenicity factors. Furthermore, the CBM18 expansions are confined to three categories of genes, each having been previously implicated in host-pathogen interactions. These correlations highlight this specific domain expansion as a potential key player in the mode of pathogenicity in this unique fungus. The expansion of CBM18 in B. dendrobatidis is exceptional in its size and diversity compared to other pathogenic species of fungi, making this genomic feature unique in an evolutionary context as well as in pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE Amphibian populations are declining worldwide at an unprecedented rate. Although various factors are thought to contribute to this phenomenon, chytridiomycosis has been identified as one of the leading causes. This deadly fungal disease is cause by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus species unique in its pathogenicity and, furthermore, its specificity to amphibians. Despite more than two decades of research, the biology of this fungus species and its deadly interaction with amphibians had been notoriously difficult to unravel. Due to the alarming rate of worldwide spread and associated decline in amphibian populations, it is imperative to incorporate novel genomic and genetic techniques into the study of this species. In this study, we present the first reported potential pathogenicity factors in B. dendrobatidis. In silico studies such as this allow us to identify putative targets for more specific molecular analyses, furthering our hope for the control of this pathogen.
format	article
author	John Abramyan Jason E. Stajich
author_facet	John Abramyan Jason E. Stajich
author_sort	John Abramyan
title	Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
title_short	Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
title_full	Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
title_fullStr	Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
title_full_unstemmed	Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
title_sort	species-specific chitin-binding module 18 expansion in the amphibian pathogen <italic toggle="yes">batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>
publisher	American Society for Microbiology
publishDate	2012
url	https://doaj.org/article/82ded19af1a74d20aca118d785c05aea
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Species-Specific Chitin-Binding Module 18 Expansion in the Amphibian Pathogen <italic toggle="yes">Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</italic>

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