Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the yeast Pichia farinosa and comparative analysis of closely related species

Curr Genet. 2010 Dec;56(6):507-15. doi: 10.1007/s00294-010-0318-y. Epub 2010 Sep 10.

Abstract

Yeasts of the Pichia genus have been isolated from different natural environments. Phylogenies based on multigene sequence analysis have shown that the genus is polyphyletic. Some species of this genus are member of the CTG group. In order to have a better insight into the relationship among species assigned to the yeast genera Pichia into the CTG group, we first sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the osmotolerant yeast Pichia farinosa. We then compared this genome with mitochondrial genomes of yeasts of the CTG group. The P. farinosa mitochondrial DNA is a circular-mapping genome of 32,065 bp, which contains 43 genes transcribed from both strands. It contains a complete set of tRNAs, the small and the large rRNAs, as well as 14 protein-coding genes. Yeasts of the CTG group contain the same core of mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial sequences clearly shows that the CTG group is divided into two distinct clades: the first one contains diploid Candida species, whereas the second mainly contains haploid Pichia species. Moreover, this analysis provides clear evidence that Pichia farinosa and Pichia sorbitophila, which were known to be unique species, are two distinct species.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / analysis*
  • Gene Order
  • Genetic Code
  • Genetic Speciation
  • Genome, Fungal
  • Genome, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Inteins / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Pichia / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Species Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial