Analysis of nuclear and organellar genomes of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans reveals ancient population structure and recent recombination among host-specific subpopulations

Ernest Diez Benavente, Paola Florez de Sessions, Robert W. Moon, Anthony A. Holder, Michael J. Blackman, Cally Roper, Christopher J. Drakeley, Arnab Pain, Colin J. Sutherland, Martin L. Hibberd, Susana Campino, Taane G. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The macaque parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is a significant concern in Malaysia where cases of human infection are increasing. Parasites infecting humans originate from genetically distinct subpopulations associated with the long-tailed (Macaca fascicularis (Mf)) or pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina (Mn)). We used a new high-quality reference genome to re-evaluate previously described subpopulations among human and macaque isolates from Malaysian-Borneo and Peninsular-Malaysia. Nuclear genomes were dimorphic, as expected, but new evidence of chromosomal-segment exchanges between subpopulations was found. A large segment on chromosome 8 originating from the Mn subpopulation and containing genes encoding proteins expressed in mosquito-borne parasite stages, was found in Mf genotypes. By contrast, non-recombining organelle genomes partitioned into 3 deeply branched lineages, unlinked with nuclear genomic dimorphism. Subpopulations which diverged in isolation have re-connected, possibly due to deforestation and disruption of wild macaque habitats. The resulting genomic mosaics reveal traits selected by host-vector-parasite interactions in a setting of ecological transition.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e1007008
JournalPLOS Genetics
Volume13
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 18 2017

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