Systematic position of Histomonas meleagridis based on four protein genes

J Parasitol. 2010 Apr;96(2):396-400. doi: 10.1645/GE-2267.1.

Abstract

Phylogenetic trees based on parabasalid sequences of the small subunit rRNA placed Histomonas meleagridis in close proximity to Dientamoeba fragilis, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Monocercomonas sp. In this study, we sequenced partial genes of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), enolase, and alpha-tubulin from 2 strains of H. meleagridis. We found 5 different GAPDH sequences, 6 different enolase sequences, and 3 alpha-tubulin sequences. Phylogenetic trees based on the obtained sequences showed a close relationship of H. meleagridis with T. foetus and, to some extent, Monocercomonas sp. In conclusion, our findings further corroborate the ssu rRNA-based tree. Consequently, our study also supports the hypothesis that H. meleagridis secondarily lost cytoskeletal structures.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / chemistry
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / genetics*
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Parabasalidea / chemistry
  • Parabasalidea / classification*
  • Parabasalidea / enzymology
  • Parabasalidea / genetics
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / chemistry
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Sequence Alignment / veterinary
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Tubulin / chemistry
  • Tubulin / genetics*

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • Tubulin
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase