Polymorphic centromere locations in the pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis [RESEARCH]

We report here that isolates of the pathogenic yeast species Candida parapsilosis show within-species polymorphism for the location of centromeres on two of its eight chromosomes. Its old centromeres have an inverted-repeat (IR) structure, whereas its new centromeres have no obvious structural features but are located within 30 kb of the old site. Centromeres can therefore move naturally from one chromosomal site to another, apparently spontaneously and in the absence of any significant changes in DNA sequence. Our observations are consistent with a model in which all centromeres are genetically determined, such as by the presence of short or long IRs or by the ability to form cruciforms. We also find that centromeres have been hotspots for genomic rearrangements in the C. parapsilosis clade.

Source: Genome Research - May 26, 2020 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Ola, M., O'Brien, C. E., Coughlan, A. Y., Ma, Q., Donovan, P. D., Wolfe, K. H., Butler, G. Tags: RESEARCH Source Type: research