A_genome_sequence_for_the_fish_pathogen_Trypanoplasma_borreli__Cryptobidae__Kinetoplastida___. A_genome_sequence_for_the_fish_pathogen_Trypanoplasma_borreli__Cryptobidae__Kinetoplastida___

T. borreli (Cryptobidae: Kinetoplastida) is an extracellular haemoflagellate, infecting the blood of cyprinid fish throughout Europe, and transmitted by leech vectors. As a Cryptobid, T. borreli is closely related to ectoparasites that cause cryptobiosis in wild and cultivated fish and less related to the trypanosomatid parasites (i.e. Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp.) that infect humans and other vertebrates globally. Both Cryptobids and Trypanosomatids evolved from a free-living Kinetoplastid ancestor and so have independently evolved a parasitic lifestyle in the vertebrate bloodstream. A T. borreli genome sequence is an attractive proposition for both basic and applied reasons. As a tool for understanding gene function in fish disease, T. borreli is the most amenable choice of experimental model because it is the only Cryptobid that can be cultured in vitro. A genome sequence will provide the essential basis for discovering the genetic basis to disease, and understanding host interactions, since resistance to trypanoplasmosis is a model system for understanding innate and acquired immunity in fish. As an example of convergent evolution, Trypanoplasma borreli and Trypanosoma brucei have independently evolved to be extracellular blood parasites of vertebrates; given their common genomic heritage, this situation offers a unique opportunity to examine the genomic basis of convergent evolution. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/