Genome of Indian Leishmania donovani. Leishmania donovani

During 1993-1994, scientists from developing and developed countries planned and initiated a number of parasite genome projects and several consortiums for the mapping and sequencing of these medium sized genomes were established. Genomes of three Leishmania species, which were cultivated in the laboratory (L. major, L. infantum, and L. braziliensis) have been sequenced. To add to this plethora of knowledge, we undertook whole genome sequencing of clinical isolates of L. donovani believed to be causing Kala Azar in India. The genome analysis can provide insights into the functional characteristics of the visceral manifestation of the disease and also provide an avenue into the biological basis of parasite virulence in the L. donovani complex prevalent in India in comparison with the other species of Leishmania sequenced.

1993年至1994年间，来自发展中国家与发达国家的科研人员规划并启动了多项寄生虫基因组研究项目，同时组建了多个针对此类中等尺寸基因组绘制与测序的联合研究联盟。目前已完成三种实验室培养的利什曼原虫（Leishmania）物种的基因组测序，分别为硕大利什曼原虫（L. major）、婴儿利什曼原虫（L. infantum）以及巴西利什曼原虫（L. braziliensis）。为进一步丰富该领域的研究积累，本团队针对印度境内被认为是引发黑热病（Kala Azar）的杜氏利什曼原虫（L. donovani）临床分离株开展了全基因组测序工作。相较于已完成测序的其他利什曼原虫物种，本次基因组分析既可揭示该疾病内脏表现型的功能特征，也可为解析印度流行的杜氏利什曼原虫复合群的寄生虫毒力生物学基础提供全新的研究途径。