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Giants' cooperation: a draft genome of the giant ciliate Muniziella cunhai suggests its ecological role in the capybara's digestive metabolism

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Author(s):
Cedrola, Franciane ; Senra, Marcus Vinicius Xavier ; Morales, Millke Jasmine Arminini ; Fregulia, Priscila ; Canesin, Lucas ; Dias, Roberto Junio Pedroso ; Solferini, Vera Nisaka
Total Authors: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: MICROBIAL GENOMICS; v. 10, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2024-07-01.
Abstract

Several hundred ciliate species live in animals' guts as a part of their microbiome. Among them, Muniziella cunhai (Trichostomatia, Pycnotrichidae), the largest described ciliate, is found exclusively associated with Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (capybara), the largest known rodent reaching up to 90 kg. Here, we present the sequence, structural and functional annotation of this giant microeukaryote macronuclear genome and discuss its phylogenetic placement. The 85 Mb genome is highly AT rich (GC content 25.71 %) and encodes a total of 11 397 protein- coding genes, of which 2793 could have their functions predicted with automated functional assignments. Functional annotation showed that M. cunhai can digest recalcitrant structural carbohydrates, nonstructural carbohydrates, and microbial cell walls, suggesting a role in diet metabolization and in microbial population control in the capybara's intestine. Moreover, the phylogenetic placement of M. cunhai provides insights on the origins of gigantism in the subclass Trichostomatia. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 20/11027-0 - Rumen microeukaryotic ciliates (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida, Ophryoscolecidae): phylogenomics and potential application in bioethanol industry
Grantee:Vera Nisaka Solferini
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 20/10682-5 - Ruminal microeukaryotes ciliates (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida, Ophryoscolecidae): phylogenomics and potential application in the bioethanol industry
Grantee:Franciane Cedrola Vale
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 22/00538-0 - Ciliated protists: a new source of molecules with antimicrobial activities
Grantee:Marcus Vinicius Xavier Senra
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 19/17077-2 - Genomic signatures of adaptation in the Brazilian Dry Diagonal
Grantee:Millke Jasmine Arminini Morales
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral