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Comparative Genomics and Molecular Analysis of Epidermophyton floccosum

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Abstract

Epidermophyton floccosum is one of the most common agents of human superficial fungal infections, compared with genus Trichophyton and Microsporum, it possesses uniqueness in ecology traits and rarely causing hair infections. E. floccosum is so far the only representative species of genera Epidermophyton, and it is known as anthropophilic dermatophytes. To further reveal the genome sequences and clues of virulence factors, thus in this study, we sequenced the genome of E. floccosum (CGMCC (F) E1d), and performed comparative genomic analysis with other dermatophytes. It is revealed that E. floccosum owns the largest genome size and similar GC content compared with other dermatophytes. A total of 7565 genes are predicted. By comparing with the closest species N. gypseum, our study reveals that number and structure of adhesion factors, secreted proteases and LysM domain might contribute to the pathogenic and ecological traits of E. floccosum. Mating genes is also detected in genome data. Furthermore, we performed AFLP analysis trying to discuss intraspecific differences of E. floccosum, but no significant relationship is found between genotype and geographical distribution. Upon above, our study provides a deeper understanding and strong foundation for future researches about E. floccosum.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81972949), the Scientific and Technological Innovation Projects of Medicine and Health of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2016-I2M-3-021), the Nanjing Incubation Program for National Clinical Research Center (No. 2019060001) and the Basical Scientific Research Fund Projects of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018PT31013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, Jiangsu, China

    Jia Liu, Liyu Ge, Huan Mei, Hailin Zheng, Jingwen Peng, Guanzhao Liang & Weida Liu

  2. Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China

    Weida Liu

  3. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, 210042, Jiangsu, China

    Huan Mei, Hailin Zheng, Jingwen Peng, Guanzhao Liang & Weida Liu

  4. Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Third Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hangzhou, China

    Liyu Ge

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  1. Jia Liu
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Liu, J., Ge, L., Mei, H. et al. Comparative Genomics and Molecular Analysis of Epidermophyton floccosum. Mycopathologia 186, 487–497 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-021-00567-9

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