title: Reduction and compaction in the genome of the apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum.
abstract: The complete genome of the apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum reveals many new insights into apicomplexan biology and evolution, as well as the general process of genome reduction in parasites. The genome is globally compacted, but gene loss seems to be focused, in particular in relation to organelles. Massive losses of mitochondrial genes have taken place and there is no evidence of any plastid-related genes, providing a useful tool for examining putative plastid proteins in Plasmodium and other apicomplexans.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3529-6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Keeling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D023421:Models, Animal; D018087:Plastids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D015800:Protozoan Proteins