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Journal of Bacteriology, December 1998, p. 6697-6703, Vol. 180, No. 24
0021-9193/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Genome Size, Complexity, and Ploidy of the Pathogenic Fungus Histoplasma capsulatum

Jeanne Carrdagger and Glenmore Shearer Jr.*

Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406

Received 12 June 1998/Accepted 16 October 1998

The genome size, complexity, and ploidy of the dimorphic pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum was determined by using DNA renaturation kinetics, genomic reconstruction, and flow cytometry. Nuclear DNA was isolated from two strains, G186AS and Downs, and analyzed by renaturation kinetics and genomic reconstruction with three putative single-copy genes (calmodulin, alpha -tubulin, and beta -tubulin). G186AS was found to have a genome of approximately 2.3 × 107 bp with less than 0.5% repetitive sequences. The Downs strain, however, was found to have a genome approximately 40% larger with more than 16 times more repetitive DNA. The Downs genome was determined to be 3.2 × 107 bp with approximately 8% repetitive DNA. To determine ploidy, the DNA mass per cell measured by flow cytometry was compared with the 1n genome estimate to yield a DNA index (DNA per cell/1n genome size). Strain G186AS was found to have a DNA index of 0.96, and Downs had a DNA index of 0.94, indicating that both strains are haploid. Genomic reconstruction and Southern blot data obtained with alpha - and beta -tubulin probes indicated that some genetic duplication has occurred in the Downs strain, which may be aneuploid or partially diploid.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: The University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406. Phone: (601) 266-4722. Fax: (601) 266-5797. E-mail: glen.shearer{at}usm.edu.

dagger Present address: William Beaumont Hospital, Dept. of Clinical Pathology, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

Journal of Bacteriology, December 1998, p. 6697-6703, Vol. 180, No. 24
0021-9193/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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