2026/07/03 by Frédéric Bigey, Marc Wessner, Martine Pradal +3 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Chromosomal and Genetic Variations #Fungal Infections and Studies #Fungal and yeast genetics research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74608-6
openalex publication_date 2026/07/03 · openalex created_date 2026/07/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Diutina catenulata is an ascomycetous yeast of environmental and emerging clinical relevance. Genome analysis of strains representing the major phylogenetic lineages of the species revealed a strong genetic structure, with deeply diverged clades displaying limited gene flow, likely reflecting clonal propagation or long-term historical divergence. A notable feature of D. catenulata genomes is an extensive degree of chromosomal instability associated with two DNA transposons, Dici1 and Dici2, present across all lineages, with up to 96 Dici1 copies in the type strain CBS 565T. We experimentally demonstrate that both elements remain active and mobilize under laboratory conditions. High sequence conservation among Dici copies supports a recent and ongoing transpositional burst reshaping genome architecture. Related elements identified in multiple fungal species define a previously undescribed family of DNA transposons related to the IS630-Tc1-mariner superfamily. These findings provide a framework for studying DNA transposon proliferation and genome evolution in yeasts. Genome evolution in Diutina catenulata is poorly understood. Here, the authors show that active DNA transposons drive extensive chromosomal instability and shape genome architecture across genetically structured lineages.