A complete gap-free diploid genome in Saccharum complex and the genomic footprints of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus

Tianyou Wang, Baiyu Wang, Xiuting Hua, Haibao Tang, Zeyu Zhang, Ruiting Gao, Yiying Qi, Qing Zhang, Gang Wang, Zehuai Yu, Yongji Huang, Zhe Zhang, Jing Mei, Yuhao Wang, Yixing Zhang, Yihan Li, Xue Meng, Yongjun Wang, Haoran Pan, Shuqi ChenZhen Li, Huihong Shi, Xinlong Liu, Zuhu Deng, Baoshan Chen, Muqing Zhang, Lianfeng Gu, Jianping Wang, Ray Ming, Wei Yao, Jisen Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A diploid genome in the Saccharum complex facilitates our understanding of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus. Here we have generated a complete, gap-free genome assembly of Erianthus rufipilus, a diploid species within the Saccharum complex. The complete assembly revealed that centromere satellite homogenization was accompanied by the insertions of Gypsy retrotransposons, which drove centromere diversification. An overall low rate of gene transcription was observed in the palaeo-duplicated chromosome EruChr05 similar to other grasses, which might be regulated by methylation patterns mediated by homologous 24 nt small RNAs, and potentially mediating the functions of many nucleotide-binding site genes. Sequencing data for 211 accessions in the Saccharum complex indicated that Saccharum probably originated in the trans-Himalayan region from a diploid ancestor (x = 10) around 1.9–2.5 million years ago. Our study provides new insights into the origin and evolution of Saccharum and accelerates translational research in cereal genetics and genomics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)554-571
Number of pages18
JournalNature plants
Volume9
Issue number4
Early online dateMar 30 2023
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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