DNA Research: An International Journal for Rapid Publication of Reports on Genes and Genomes最新文献

Among relic species, genomic information may provide the key to inferring their long-term survival. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the genome of the Paleogene relic tree species, Bretschneidera sinensis, which is a rare endemic species within southeastern Asia. Specifically, we assembled a high-quality genome for B. sinensis using PacBio high-fidelity and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture reads and annotated it with long and short RNA sequencing reads. Using the genome, we then detected a trade-off between active and passive disease defences among the gene families. Gene families involved in salicylic acid and MAPK signalling pathways expanded as active defence mechanisms against disease, but families involved in terpene synthase activity as passive defences contracted. When inferring the long evolutionary history of B. sinensis, we detected population declines corresponding to historical climate change around the Eocene-Oligocene transition and to climatic fluctuations in the Quaternary. Additionally, based on this genome, we identified 388 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were likely under selection, and showed diverse functions in growth and stress responses. Among them, we further found 41 climate-associated SNPs. The genome of B. sinensis and the SNP dataset will be important resources for understanding extinction/diversification processes using comparative genomics in different lineages.

Asparagus kiusianus is a disease-resistant dioecious plant species and a wild relative of garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). To enhance A. kiusianus genomic resources, advance plant science, and facilitate asparagus breeding, we determined the genome sequences of the male and female lines of A. kiusianus. Genome sequence reads obtained with a linked-read technology were assembled into four haplotype-phased contig sequences (∼1.6 Gb each) for the male and female lines. The contig sequences were aligned onto the chromosome sequences of garden asparagus to construct pseudomolecule sequences. Approximately 55,000 potential protein-encoding genes were predicted in each genome assembly, and ∼70% of the genome sequence was annotated as repetitive. Comparative analysis of the genomes of the two species revealed structural and sequence variants between the two species as well as between the male and female lines of each species. Genes with high sequence similarity with the male-specific sex determinant gene in A. officinalis, MSE1/AoMYB35/AspTDF1, were presented in the genomes of the male line but absent from the female genome assemblies. Overall, the genome sequence assemblies, gene sequences, and structural and sequence variants determined in this study will reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation in plants, and will accelerate disease-resistance breeding in garden asparagus.

Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.), unlike other Castanea species, is resistant to most diseases and wasps. However, genomic data of Japanese chestnut that could be used to determine its biotic stress resistance mechanisms have not been reported to date. In this study, we employed long-read sequencing and genetic mapping to generate genome sequences of Japanese chestnut at the chromosome level. Long reads (47.7 Gb; 71.6× genome coverage) were assembled into 781 contigs, with a total length of 721.2 Mb and a contig N50 length of 1.6 Mb. Genome sequences were anchored to the chestnut genetic map, comprising 14,973 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and covering 1,807.8 cM map distance, to establish a chromosome-level genome assembly (683.8 Mb), with 69,980 potential protein-encoding genes and 425.5 Mb repetitive sequences. Furthermore, comparative genome structure analysis revealed that Japanese chestnut shares conserved chromosomal segments with woody plants, but not with herbaceous plants, of rosids. Overall, the genome sequence data of Japanese chestnut generated in this study is expected to enhance not only its genetics and genomics but also the evolutionary genomics of woody rosids.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino is an economically valuable medicinal plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family that produces the bioactive compound gypenoside. Despite several transcriptomes having been generated for G. pentaphyllum, a reference genome is still unavailable, which has limited the understanding of the gypenoside biosynthesis and regulatory mechanism. Here, we report a high-quality G. pentaphyllum genome with a total length of 582 Mb comprising 1,232 contigs and a scaffold N50 of 50.78 Mb. The G. pentaphyllum genome comprised 59.14% repetitive sequences and 25,285 protein-coding genes. Comparative genome analysis revealed that G. pentaphyllum was related to Siraitia grosvenorii, with an estimated divergence time dating to the Paleogene (∼48 million years ago). By combining transcriptome data from seven tissues, we reconstructed the gypenoside biosynthetic pathway and potential regulatory network using tissue-specific gene co-expression network analysis. Four UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), belonging to the UGT85 subfamily and forming a gene cluster, were involved in catalyzing glycosylation in leaf-specific gypenoside biosynthesis. Furthermore, candidate biosynthetic genes and transcription factors involved in the gypenoside regulatory network were identified. The genetic information obtained in this study provides insights into gypenoside biosynthesis and lays the foundation for further exploration of the gypenoside regulatory mechanism.

Small open reading frames (small ORFs/sORFs/smORFs) are potentially coding sequences smaller than 100 codons that have historically been considered junk DNA by gene prediction software and in annotation screening; however, the advent of next-generation sequencing has contributed to the deeper investigation of junk DNA regions and their transcription products, resulting in the emergence of smORFs as a new focus of interest in systems biology. Several smORF peptides were recently reported in non-canonical mRNAs as new players in numerous biological contexts; however, their relevance is still overlooked in coding potential analysis. Hence, this review proposes a smORF classification based on transcriptional features, discussing the most promising approaches to investigate smORFs based on their different characteristics. First, smORFs were divided into non-expressed (intergenic) and expressed (genic) smORFs. Second, genic smORFs were classified as smORFs located in non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) or canonical mRNAs. Finally, smORFs in ncRNAs were further subdivided into sequences located in small or long RNAs, whereas smORFs located in canonical mRNAs were subdivided into several specific classes depending on their localization along the gene. We hope that this review provides new insights into large-scale annotations and reinforces the role of smORFs as essential components of a hidden coding DNA world.

Rosa rugosa is an important shrub with economic, ecological, and pharmaceutical value. A high-quality chromosome-scale genome for R. rugosa sequences was assembled using PacBio and Hi-C technologies. The final assembly genome sequences size was about 407.1 Mb, the contig N50 size was 2.85 Mb, and the scaffold N50 size was 56.6 Mb. More than 98% of the assembled genome sequences were anchored to seven pseudochromosomes (402.9 Mb). The genome contained 37,512 protein-coding genes, with 37,016 genes (98.68%) that were functionally annotated, and 206.67 Mb (50.76%) of the assembled sequences are repetitive sequences. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that R. rugosa diverged from Rosa chinensis ∼6.6 million years ago, and no lineage-specific whole-genome duplication event occurred after divergence from R. chinensis. Chromosome synteny analysis demonstrated highly conserved synteny between R. rugosa and R. chinensis, between R. rugosa and Prunus persica as well. Comparative genome and transcriptome analysis revealed genes related to colour, scent, and environment adaptation. The chromosome-level reference genome provides important genomic resources for molecular-assisted breeding and horticultural comparative genomics research.

Citrus nucellar poly-embryony (NPE) is a mode of sporophytic apomixis that asexual embryos formed in the seed through adventitious embryogenesis from the somatic nucellar cells. NPE allows clonal propagation of rootstocks, but it impedes citrus cross breeding. To understand the cellular processes involved in NPE initiation, we profiled the transcriptomes and DNA methylomes in laser microdissection captured citrus apomictic cells. In apomictic cells, ribosome biogenesis and protein degradation were activated, whereas auxin polar transport was repressed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated in the poly-embryonic ovules, and response to oxidative stress was provoked. The global DNA methylation level, especially that of CHH context, was decreased, whereas the methylation level of the NPE-controlling key gene CitRWP was increased. A C2H2 domain-containing transcription factor gene and CitRWP co-expressed specifically in apomictic cells may coordinate to initiate NPE. The activated embryogenic development and callose deposition processes indicated embryogenic fate of nucellar embryo initial (NEI) cells. In our working model for citrus NPE initiation, DNA hyper-methylation may activate transcription of CitRWP, which increases C2H2 expression and ROS accumulation, triggers epigenetic regulation and regulates cell fate transition and NEI cell identity in the apomictic cells.

Phytate is the storage form of phosphorus in angiosperm seeds and plays vitally important roles during seed development. However, in crop plants phytate decreases bioavailability of seed-sourced mineral elements for humans, livestock and poultry, and contributes to phosphate-related water pollution. However, there is little knowledge about this trait in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Here, a panel of 505 diverse B. napus accessions was screened in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 3.28 × 106 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This identified 119 SNPs significantly associated with phytate concentration (PA_Conc) and phytate content (PA_Cont) and six candidate genes were identified. Of these, BnaA9.MRP5 represented the candidate gene for the significant SNP chrA09_5198034 (27 kb) for both PA_Cont and PA_Conc. Transcription of BnaA9.MRP5 in a low-phytate variety (LPA20) was significantly elevated compared with a high-phytate variety (HPA972). Association and haplotype analysis indicated that inbred lines carrying specific SNP haplotypes within BnaA9.MRP5 were associated with high- and low-phytate phenotypes. No significant differences in seed germination and seed yield were detected between low and high phytate cultivars examined. Candidate genes, favourable haplotypes and the low phytate varieties identified in this study will be useful for low-phytate breeding of B. napus.

To enhance the genomics and genetics of azalea, the whole-genome sequences of two species of Rhododendron were determined and analysed in this study: Rhododendron ripense, the cytoplasmic donor and ancestral species of large-flowered and evergreen azalea cultivars; and Rhododendron kiyosumense, a native of Chiba prefecture (Japan) seldomly bred and cultivated. A chromosome-level genome sequence assembly of R. ripense was constructed by single-molecule real-time sequencing and genetic mapping, while the genome sequence of R. kiyosumense was assembled using the single-tube long fragment read sequencing technology. The R. ripense genome assembly contained 319 contigs (506.7 Mb; N50 length: 2.5 Mb) and was assigned to the genetic map to establish 13 pseudomolecule sequences. On the other hand, the genome of R. kiyosumense was assembled into 32,308 contigs (601.9 Mb; N50 length: 245.7 kb). A total of 34,606 genes were predicted in the R. ripense genome, while 35,785 flower and 48,041 leaf transcript isoforms were identified in R. kiyosumense through Iso-Seq analysis. Overall, the genome sequence information generated in this study enhances our understanding of genome evolution in the Ericales and reveals the phylogenetic relationship of closely related species. This information will also facilitate the development of phenotypically attractive azalea cultivars.

Candida subhashii belongs to the CUG-Ser clade, a group of phylogenetically closely related yeast species that includes some human opportunistic pathogens, such as Candida albicans. Despite being present in the environment, C. subhashii was initially described as the causative agent of a case of peritonitis. Considering the relevance of whole-genome sequencing and analysis for our understanding of genome evolution and pathogenicity, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the genome of C. subhashii type strain. Our results show that C. subhashii presents a highly heterozygous genome and other signatures that point to a hybrid ancestry. The presence of functional pathways for assimilation of hydroxyaromatic compounds goes in line with the affiliation of this yeast with soil microbial communities involved in lignin decomposition. Furthermore, we observed that different clones of this strain may present circular or linear mitochondrial DNA. Re-sequencing and comparison of strains with differential mitochondrial genome topology revealed five candidate genes potentially associated with this conformational change: MSK1, SSZ1, ALG5, MRPL9 and OYE32.