The genome sequence of the model ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina
2008

Genome Sequence of Podospora anserina

publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Eric Espagne, Olivier Lespinet, Fabienne Malagnac, Corinne Da Silva, Olivier Jaillon, Betina M Porcel, Arnaud Couloux, Jean-Marc Aury, Beatrice Ségurens, Julie Poulain, Véronique Anthouard, Sandrine Grossetete, Hamid Khalili, Evelyne Coppin, Michelle Déquard-Chablat, Marguerite Picard, Véronique Contamine, Sylvie Arnaise, Anne Bourdais, Véronique Berteaux-Lecellier, Daniel Gautheret, Ronald P de Vries, Evy Battaglia, Pedro M Coutinho, Etienne GJ Danchin, Bernard Henrissat, Riyad EL Khoury, Annie Sainsard-Chanet, Antoine Boivin, Bérangère Pinan-Lucarré, Carole H Sellem, Robert Debuchy, Patrick Wincker, Jean Weissenbach, Philippe Silar

Primary Institution: Univ Paris-Sud, Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie

Hypothesis

What are the evolutionary features of the Podospora anserina genome compared to its close relative Neurospora crassa?

Conclusion

The P. anserina genome exhibits highly dynamic evolution, enabling it to utilize complex carbon sources in its natural habitat.

Supporting Evidence

  • The genome contains fewer repeated sequences compared to Neurospora crassa.
  • Evidence of gene loss was found in the lineages leading to both fungi.
  • P. anserina has evolved new genes through duplication since diverging from N. crassa.
  • The genome features a large set of genes for utilizing complex carbon sources.
  • Frequent gene shuffling was observed within chromosomes.

Takeaway

Scientists sequenced the genome of a fungus called Podospora anserina to understand how it evolved and adapted to eat tough plant materials.

Methodology

The genome was sequenced using a whole-genome shotgun approach with 10X coverage, resulting in a draft assembly of 1,196 contigs.

Limitations

The study may not fully capture the complexity of the genome due to the draft nature of the assembly.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/gb-2008-9-5-r77

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