Genome sequencing project of T. gondii, strain TgCatJpOk4

To understand the genomic composition of T. gondii in Japan, we are sequencing the genome of Japanese isolates in our genomic sequencing project of T. gondii. As part of the project, we sequenced the Japanese isolate, TgCatJpOk4 isolated from wild cat in Okinawa prefecture, showing high virulence in mouse models but the phenotypes associated with the virulence (growth rate, invasion ability) is similar to low virulence laboratory strain in our study. To reveal the molcular mechanism of this phenomenon and decide the phylogenetic position of TgCatJpOk4 accurately, we sequenced the whole genome of TgCatJpOk4 by using Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer.

为解析日本地区刚地弓形虫（T. gondii）的基因组构成，我们在刚地弓形虫基因组测序项目中对日本分离株开展基因组测序工作。作为该项目的一部分，我们对分离自冲绳县野猫的日本分离株TgCatJpOk4进行了测序。该分离株在小鼠模型中表现出高毒力，但其与毒力相关的表型（生长速率、侵袭能力）在本研究中与低毒力实验室毒株相似。为揭示这一现象的分子机制，并精准确定TgCatJpOk4的系统发育位置，我们使用Illumina HiSeq 2000测序仪对该分离株的全基因组进行了测序。