From parasite genomes to one healthy world: Are we having fun yet?

In 1990, the Human Genome Sequencing Project was established. This laid the ground work for an explosion of sequence data that has since followed. As a result of this effort, the first complete genome of an animal, Caenorhabditis elegans was published in 1998. The sequence of Drosophila melanogaster was made available in March, 2000 and in the following year, working drafts of the human genome were generated with the completed sequence (92%) being released in 2003. Recent advancements and next-generation technologies have made sequencing common place and have infiltrated every aspect of biological research, including parasitology. To date, sequencing of 32 apicomplexa and 24 nematode genomes are either in progress or near completion, and over 600k nematode EST and 200k apicomplexa EST submissions fill the databases. However, the winds have shifted and efforts are now refocusing on how best to store, mine and apply these data to problem solving. Herein we tend not to summarize existing X-omics datasets or present new technological advances that promise future benefits. Rather, the information to follow condenses up-to-date-applications of existing technologies to problem solving as it relates to parasite research. Advancements in non-parasite systems are also presented with the proviso that applications to parasite research are in the making.     

Genome-wide comparison of coronaviruses derived from veterinary animals: A canine and feline perspective

Feline- and canine-derived coronaviruses (FCoVs and CCoVs) are widespread among dog and cat populations. This study was to understand the route of disease origin and viral transmission in veterinary animals and in human through comparative pan-genomic analysis of coronavirus sequences, especially retrieved from genomes of FCoV and CCoV. Average nucleotide identity based on complete genomes might clustered CoV strains according to their infected host, with an exception of type II of CCoV (accession number KC175339) that was clustered closely to virulent FCoVs. In contrast, the hierarchical clustering based on gene repertories retrieved from pan-genome analysis might divided the examined coronaviruses into host-independent clusters, and formed obviously the cluster of Alphacoronaviruses into sub-clusters of feline–canine, only feline, feline–canine–human coronavirus. Also, functional analysis of genomic subsets might help to divide FCoV and CCoV pan-genomes into (i) clusters of core genes encoding spike, membrane, nucleocapsid proteins, and ORF1ab polyprotein; (ii) clusters of core-like genes encoding nonstructural proteins; (iii) clusters of accessory genes encoding the ORF1A; and (iv) two singleton genes encoding nonstructural protein and polyprotein 1ab. Seven clusters of gene repertories were categorized as common to the FCoV and/or CCoV genomes including pantropic and high virulent strains, illustrating that distinct core-like genes/accessory genes concerning to their pathogenicity should be exploited in further biotype analysis of new isolate. In conclusion, the phylogenomic analyses have allowed the identification of trends in the viral genomic data, especially in developing a specific control measures against coronavirus disease, such as the selection of good markers for differentiating new species from common and/or pantropic isolates.     

小麦属植物叶绿体基因组结构的比较分析

为了从叶绿体角度解析小麦属植物的起源进化关系,以14个小麦属植物叶绿体基因组为对象,利用比较基因组分析方法,比较了小麦属植物的叶绿体基因组基因含量、序列变异、结构特性、进化关系和RNA编辑的异同。结果发现,14个小麦属植物叶绿体基因组大小相近,结构特征比较保守,但基因数量存在一定的差异,主要是由于tRNA的数目不一致引起的;IR区的伸缩分析发现硬粒小麦和乌拉尔图小麦在IRb-SSC边界基因存在明显的差异,其他麦类作物间差异很小;基于叶绿体全基因组的系统进化分析发现,有AABB基因型的物种聚在一起,而AAGG型的单独为一支,基本反映了其系统进化关系;对这14个叶绿体基因组的RNA编辑位点进行了预测和比较分析,发现有35个编辑位点在所有小麦属物种中均发生,同时还鉴定到多个物种特异的编辑位点,为从RNA编辑角度解析小麦属植物的系统进化关系提供了重要数据。