The mitochondrial genome of Strongyloides stercoralis (Nematoda) - Idiosyncratic gene order and evolutionary implications

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis was determined, and its organisation and structure compared with other nematodes for which complete mitochondrial sequence data were available. The mitochondrial genome of S. stercoralis is 13,758 bp in size and contains 36 genes (all transcribed in the clockwise direction) but lacks the atp8 gene. This genome has a high T content (55.9%) and a low C content (8.3%). Corresponding to this T content, there are 16 (poly-T) tracts of ≥12 Ts distributed across the genome. In protein-coding genes, the T bias is greatest (76.4%) at the third codon position compared with the first and second codon position..