Centromere mediated genome rearrangements and functional analysis of an outer kinetochore protein in human fungal pathogens

Abstract

Comparison of genomes of closely related species or different isolates within a species show variations at the DNA sequence level or in their structural organization in a chromosome (BARRACLOUGH et al. 2003). The generation of genetic diversity is imperative for an organism to adapt and survive in diverse environmental conditions (EICHLER AND SANKOFF 2003). The outcome of these rearrangements could be beneficial or detrimental to the cell. Based on the nature of this outcome, they get selected for, or lost in the population by natural selection. Meiotic recombination is one of the well-known drivers of genome evolution mediated by recombining genetic material from both parents (HOLLIDAY 1984). However, several asexual/ mitotic mechanisms can also result in such rearrangements. Signs of polymorphisms or rearrangements in the genomes of species with rare or no observed sexual cycle suggests that alternate mechanisms mediating chromosomal rearrangements (CRs) exist (SEIDL AND THOMMA 2014). Generating genetic diversity through such modes is considered to assist asexual organisms in adapting and growing in different niches.