Genomic characteristics and comparative genomics analysis of microsporidian parasites Nosema ceranae and N. apis reveal novel insights into host-parasite interactions in honey bees, Apis mellifera

The microsporidian parasite Nosema is one of the several suspected factors contributing to the current collapse of honey bee colonies.  Nosema apis is one of two Nosema species that causes a serious honey bee adult disease, Nosemosis.   Here we report analysis of the completed N. apis genome sequence and annotation as well as comparative analysis with N. ceranae, a recent emerging microsporidian parasite of honey bees. Sequencing and annotation of the N. apis genome provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic content, structure, and organization of the parasite and give some interesting insights into the complex biological and molecular processes of the parasite. The comparative genomic analysis led to the identification of genes that are conserved between N. apis and N. ceranae, and genes that are unique characteristics of the individual species, thereby providing a list of virulence factors that are associated with virulence of the parasites in honey bees.  There genes are potential targets for innovative therapeutics to break down the life cycle of the parasite.