Three annotated chromosome-level de novo genome assemblies of Lomentospora prolificans provide evidence for a chromosomal translocation event

Abstract

Lomentospora prolificans is a fungal pathogen responsible for serious, often fatal, illness in patients with compromised immune systems. Treatment is rarely successful because L. prolificans is inherently resistant to all major classes of antifungal drugs. In this study we publish three chromosome-level de novo genome assemblies, including the first complete-level assembly of L. prolificans, along with genome annotations. The L. prolificans genome is packaged in 11 nuclear chromosomes and one mitochondrial chromosome, has 36.7-37.1 Mb, and encodes for a putative 7357-7640 genes. The length and composition of contigs in one stain varied from those of the other two strains, supporting the hypothesis that a chromosomal translocation took place. These assemblies were confirmed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The availability of more complete genomes will hopefully help the search for new antifungal drugs and provides insights into the evolutionary history of this pathogenic fungus.