Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of a pathogenic Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei strain isolated from Litopenaeus vannamei

Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is an obligate intracellular parasite of shrimp, that may cause growth retardation or even death of shrimp. However, the characteristics of the EHP genome and its evolutionary relationships with other microsporidian genomes are not well understood. In this research, the whole genome of a strain of EHP isolated from Litopenaeus vannamei was sequenced, and detailed functional annotation was performed by using different public databases and genome component analysis. The genome size was 3.03 Mb, with 15 contigs and 2283 protein-coding genes. There were 46 tRNAs and 14 rRNAs (including 6 5S rRNAs, 4 18S rRNAs, and 4 28S rRNAs) in the genome. In addition, details of EHP evolution were revealed by comparative genomic analysis, including analyses of gene family clustering, phylogenetic relationships, gene family expansion and contraction, and synteny. The results will deepen our understanding of the EHP genome and its evolutionary features.

Automated summary

In this research, the whole genome of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), an obligate intracellular parasite of shrimp, was sequenced, and detailed functional annotation was conducted. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the evolutionary features of EHP, including gene family clustering, phylogenetic relationships, gene family expansion and contraction, and synteny. These findings deepen our understanding of the EHP genome.