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Comparative genomics of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis reveals genes involved in spillover from birds to humans

Author

Listed:
  • Steven A. Sullivan

    (New York University
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Jordan C. Orosco

    (New York University
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Francisco Callejas-Hernández

    (New York University
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Frances Blow

    (New York University
    University of Glasgow)

  • Hayan Lee

    (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor
    Fox Chase Cancer Center)

  • T. Rhyker Ranallo-Benavidez

    (Johns Hopkins University
    Translational Genomics Research Institute)

  • Andrew Peters

    (Charles Sturt University)

  • Shane R. Raidal

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Yvette A. Girard

    (University of California, Davis
    MRIGlobal)

  • Christine K. Johnson

    (University of California, Davis)

  • Krysta H. Rogers

    (California Department of Fish & Wildlife)

  • Richard Gerhold

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Hayley Mangelson

    (Phase Genomics)

  • Ivan Liachko

    (Phase Genomics)

  • Harsh Srivastava

    (New York University
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Chris Chandler

    (New York University)

  • Daniel Berenberg

    (New York University)

  • Richard A. Bonneau

    (New York University
    Genentech/Roche)

  • Po-Jung Huang

    (Chang Gung University)

  • Yuan-Ming Yeh

    (Chang Gung University
    Chang Gung Memorial Hospital)

  • Chi-Ching Lee

    (Chang Gung University)

  • Hsuan Liu

    (Chang Gung University)

  • Ting-Wen Chen

    (Chang Gung University
    National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University)

  • Petrus Tang

    (Chang Gung University
    Linkou)

  • Cheng-Hsun Chiu

    (Linkou)

  • Michael C. Schatz

    (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Jane M. Carlton

    (New York University
    Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins University)

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of the venereal disease trichomoniasis, infects men and women globally and is associated with serious outcomes during pregnancy, increased risk of HIV-1 infection, and cancers of the human reproductive tract. Species of trichomonad parasitize a range of hosts in addition to humans, including birds, livestock, and pets. Genetic analysis of trichomonads recovered from columbid birds has provided evidence that they undergo frequent host-switching, and that a spillover event from columbids likely gave rise to T. vaginalis in humans. Here we describe a comparative genomics study of seven trichomonad species, generating chromosome-scale reference genomes for T. vaginalis and its avian sister species Trichomonas stableri, and assemblies of five other species that infect birds and mammals. Human-infecting trichomonad lineages have undergone recent and convergent genome size expansions compared to their avian sister species, a result of extensive repeat expansions specifically of multicopy gene families and transposable elements, with genetic drift likely a driver due to relaxed selection. Trichomonads are thought to have independently host-switched twice from birds to mammals/humans. We identify gene functions implicated in the transition, including host tissue adherence and phagocytosis, extracellular vesicle formation, and CAZyme virulence factors, which are all associated with pathogenesis phenotypes.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven A. Sullivan & Jordan C. Orosco & Francisco Callejas-Hernández & Frances Blow & Hayan Lee & T. Rhyker Ranallo-Benavidez & Andrew Peters & Shane R. Raidal & Yvette A. Girard & Christine K. Johnso, 2025. "Comparative genomics of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis reveals genes involved in spillover from birds to humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61483-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61483-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vladimir Gligorijević & P. Douglas Renfrew & Tomasz Kosciolek & Julia Koehler Leman & Daniel Berenberg & Tommi Vatanen & Chris Chandler & Bryn C. Taylor & Ian M. Fisk & Hera Vlamakis & Ramnik J. Xavie, 2021. "Structure-based protein function prediction using graph convolutional networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
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