Phylogenetic relationships among medically important yeasts based on sequences of mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene

Sequences of the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (mtLsurRNA) gene of medically important yeasts were analysed. Sixteen strains of eight species including two varieties were subjected to sequencing. Sequencing enabled us to recognize the differences between all the species and varieties. Alignment analysis revealed that these sequences consisted of three clusters: the Candida albicans group, the C. glabrata group, and the basidiomycetous group. It is possible, therefore, that the mtLsurRNA gene is one of the targets not only for species identification but also for phylogenetic analysis of closely related yeasts. The dendrogram of each group, obtained from this gene, supports the previous study of yeasts based upon the chromosomal genes.