Comparative Genomics Reveals a Single Nucleotide Deletion in pksP That Results in White-Spore Phenotype in Natural Variants of Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a potentially deadly opportunistic human pathogen. A. has evolved variety of mechanisms to evade detection by the immune system. For example, conidium surface covered in layer 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin which masks antigen macrophages use for recognition. DHN also protects conidia from ultraviolet radiation and gives their characteristic green-grayish color. Here, we conducted genomic analysis two closely related white-spore natural variants comparison green-spore isolates identify genetic basis phenotype. Illumina whole-genome resequencing data four was used that were shared different both Af293 reference genome (which isolate). We identified 4,279 single nucleotide 1,785 insertion/deletions fitting this pattern. Among these, 64 predicted be high impact, loss-of-function mutations. One these deletion results frameshift pksP ( Afu2g17600 ), core biosynthetic gene encoding cluster. The mutation leads truncated protein phosphopantetheine attachment site (PP-binding domain) interrupted an additional PP-binding domain thioesterase are omitted. Growth rate at 37°C 48°C revealed thermosensitive. null mutant background suggests not directly involved thermosensitivity Further, our study Afu4g04740) associated with thermal sensitivity yeasts could responsible mutants. Overall, comparative genomics alterations phenotype environmental .