The Welwitschia genome reveals a unique biology underpinning extreme longevity in deserts.
Name
s41467-021-24528-4.pdf
Description
visibility:open
Size
9.12 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (CRC64NVME)
oPlvod2JxZw=
Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
Wan, Tao
Liu, Zhiming
Leitch, Ilia J.
Xin, Haiping
Maggs-Kölling, Gillian
Gong, Yanbing
Li, Zhen
Marais, Eugene
Liao, Yiying
Dai, Can
Liu, Fan
Wu, Qijia
Song, Chi
Zhou, Yadong
Huang, Weichang
Jiang, Kai
Wang, Qi
Yang, Yong
Zhong, Zhixiang
Yang, Ming
Yan, Xue
Hu, Guangwan
Hou, Chen
Su, Yingjuan
Feng, Shixiu
Yang, Ji
Yan, Jijun
Chu, Jinfang
Chen, Fan
Ran, Jinhua
Wang, Xiaoquan
Van de Peer, Yves
Leitch, Andrew R.
Wang, Qingfeng
Date published
July 12, 2021
Abstract
The gymnosperm Welwitschia mirabilis belongs to the ancient, enigmatic gnetophyte lineage. It is a unique desert plant with extreme longevity and two ever-elongating leaves. We present a chromosome-level assembly of its genome (6.8 Gb/1 C) together with methylome and transcriptome data to explore its astonishing biology. We also present a refined, high-quality assembly of Gnetum montanum to enhance our understanding of gnetophyte genome evolution. The Welwitschia genome has been shaped by a lineage-specific ancient, whole genome duplication (~86 million years ago) and more recently (1-2 million years) by bursts of retrotransposon activity. High levels of cytosine methylation (particularly at CHH motifs) are associated with retrotransposons, whilst long-term deamination has resulted in an exceptionally GC-poor genome. Changes in copy number and/or expression of gene families and transcription factors (e.g. R2R3MYB , SAUR ) controlling cell growth, differentiation and metabolism underpin the plant’s longevity and tolerance to temperature, nutrient and water stress.
Project(s)
Welwitschia genome project .
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China | Scientific Research Program: SAJL201607 - Scientific Research Program: SAJL201614 |
Innovation of Science and Technology Commission of Shenzhen, China | Major Technical Research Project (JSGG20140515164852417), |
Shenzhen Urban Administration | Scientific Project (201519) |
National Science Foundation, China | 31870206 - 31961143026 |
European Research Council, European Union | European Union’s Horizon 2020 (grant agreement no. 833522) |
Ghent University | Methusalem funding (BOF.MET.2021.0005.01) |
Journal title
Nature Communications
Volume
12
Issue
1
Article number
4247
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group.
Place of publication
London, UK
ISSN
2041-1723
eISSN
2041-1723
Date accepted
June 21, 2021
Related URL
Rights statement
In Copyright