Mitochondrial genome rearrangements and virulence-associated features in a clinical isolate of the emerging pathogen Wickerhamomyces anomalus

Caceres-Valdiviezo, M.; Salvatierra- Chung Sang, L.; Tapia, J. C.; Acosta, Y.; Caceres-Valdiviezo, A.; Morey-Leon, G.; Fernandez-Cadena, J. C.; Ugalde, J. A.; Andrade-Molina, D.

doi:10.1101/2025.08.29.673123

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.08.29.673123

Mitochondrial genome rearrangements and virulence-associated features in a clinical isolate of the emerging pathogen Wickerhamomyces anomalus

Caceres-Valdiviezo, M.·Salvatierra- Chung Sang, L.·Tapia, J. C.·Acosta, Y.·Caceres-Valdiviezo, A.·Morey-Leon, G.·Fernandez-Cadena, J. C.·Ugalde, J. A.·Andrade-Molina, D.

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Abstract

BackgroundWickerhamomyces anomalus, also known as Candida pelliculosa, traditionally regarded as an environmental yeast, has emerged as an opportunistic yeast implicated in invasive infections and hospital outbreaks, especially among neonatal and immunocompromised individuals. Despite its clinical relevance, the genomic determinants underlying the pathogenesis and virulence remain poorly understood. ResultsHere, we report the first high-quality nuclear and complete mitochondrial genome assemblies from a clinical isolate of W. anomalus. The nuclear genome spans 13.9 Mb with 34.5% GC content and contains 6,305 protein-coding genes, 8,235 coding sequences, and 147 tRNAs, with 98.1% completeness by BUSCO. The mitochondrial genome (47.6 kb) encodes 19 protein-coding genes, 26 tRNAs, and two rRNAs. Remarkably, it exhibits atypical rearrangements, including inverted repeats and atp9 duplications. ConclusionsWe provide the first de novo nuclear genome from a clinical W. anomalus isolate, along with the first complete mitochondrial genome for this species, establishing a high-quality reference for this emerging pathogen. The genomic innovations, together with a high content of repetitive and non-coding elements, suggest enhanced plasticity that may underpin metabolic flexibility and survival under host-associated stresses. These rearrangements represent an underappreciated mechanism of adaptation in emerging fungal pathogens, contributing to the clinical relevance of W. anomalus. These genomic resources facilitate rigorous comparative analyses to indentify determinants of pathogenicity, virulence, and antifungal resistance, accelerating the development of improved diagnostics, surveillance, and management strategies for W. anomalus infections

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Caceres-Valdiviezo, M., Salvatierra- Chung Sang, L., Tapia, J. C., Acosta, Y., Caceres-Valdiviezo, A., Morey-Leon, G., Fernandez-Cadena, J. C., Ugalde, J. A., Andrade-Molina, D.. 2025-09-01. Mitochondrial genome rearrangements and virulence-associated features in a clinical isolate of the emerging pathogen Wickerhamomyces anomalus. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.29.673123

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