Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)

Abstract Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (L. japonicus), as an important plant resource with both ornamental and medicinal value, has now spread worldwide and is widely studied. Currently, its chromosomal genome and chloroplast genome (cpDNA) have been reported, but the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has no...

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Main Authors: Qun Hu, Qing Li, Yin Mao, Yongjian Luo, Zhijun Deng, Wenhu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97594-z
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author Qun Hu
Qing Li
Yin Mao
Yongjian Luo
Zhijun Deng
Wenhu Zhang
author_facet Qun Hu
Qing Li
Yin Mao
Yongjian Luo
Zhijun Deng
Wenhu Zhang
author_sort Qun Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (L. japonicus), as an important plant resource with both ornamental and medicinal value, has now spread worldwide and is widely studied. Currently, its chromosomal genome and chloroplast genome (cpDNA) have been reported, but the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has not yet been explored. In this study, we extracted DNA from fresh leaves of L. japonicus and performed sequencing and assembly of its mtDNA using both second-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies. The complete mtDNA of L. japonicus is 382,905 bp in length, with a GC content of 45.13%. This genome includes 15 tRNA genes, 32 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 4 rRNA genes. In this mtDNA genome, we predicted a total of 480 RNA editing sites among the 32 PCGs. Subsequently, we conducted analyses on repetitive sequences, organelle genome sequence migration, and Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU). There are 28 homologous sequence fragments between the mtDNA and cpDNA of L. japonicus, which are related to the migration of 10 mtDNA genes. The RSCU analysis predicted 28 high-frequency codons, most of which prefer to end with A/U. Selection pressure analysis indicated that the Ka/Ks ratio for the majority of PCGs is less than 1, suggesting they are highly conserved during evolutionary processes. Phylogenetic results from 24 species indicate that the genera Leonurus and Scutellaria within the Lamiaceae family have the closest relationships. In summary, we have successfully assembled the complete mtDNA of L. japonicus by integrating second-generation and third-generation sequencing data for the first time. Subsequent multi-faceted analyses have allowed us to gain deeper insights into the numerous features of this genome, providing important reference data for the molecular genetics, dynamic evolution, and species identification of this plant. This work promotes the conservation and development of this important resource of medicinal and edible plants.
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spelling doaj-art-07f7b4d38c314efa88071b55741bdc3d2025-08-20T03:18:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-97594-zAssembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)Qun Hu0Qing Li1Yin Mao2Yongjian Luo3Zhijun Deng4Wenhu Zhang5Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesGuangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesGardening and Horticulture Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation Research Group, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biologic Resources Protection and Utilization (Hubei Minzu University)Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesGardening and Horticulture Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation Research Group, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biologic Resources Protection and Utilization (Hubei Minzu University)Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (L. japonicus), as an important plant resource with both ornamental and medicinal value, has now spread worldwide and is widely studied. Currently, its chromosomal genome and chloroplast genome (cpDNA) have been reported, but the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has not yet been explored. In this study, we extracted DNA from fresh leaves of L. japonicus and performed sequencing and assembly of its mtDNA using both second-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies. The complete mtDNA of L. japonicus is 382,905 bp in length, with a GC content of 45.13%. This genome includes 15 tRNA genes, 32 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 4 rRNA genes. In this mtDNA genome, we predicted a total of 480 RNA editing sites among the 32 PCGs. Subsequently, we conducted analyses on repetitive sequences, organelle genome sequence migration, and Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU). There are 28 homologous sequence fragments between the mtDNA and cpDNA of L. japonicus, which are related to the migration of 10 mtDNA genes. The RSCU analysis predicted 28 high-frequency codons, most of which prefer to end with A/U. Selection pressure analysis indicated that the Ka/Ks ratio for the majority of PCGs is less than 1, suggesting they are highly conserved during evolutionary processes. Phylogenetic results from 24 species indicate that the genera Leonurus and Scutellaria within the Lamiaceae family have the closest relationships. In summary, we have successfully assembled the complete mtDNA of L. japonicus by integrating second-generation and third-generation sequencing data for the first time. Subsequent multi-faceted analyses have allowed us to gain deeper insights into the numerous features of this genome, providing important reference data for the molecular genetics, dynamic evolution, and species identification of this plant. This work promotes the conservation and development of this important resource of medicinal and edible plants.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97594-zLeonurus japonicus HouttMitochondrial genomeRNA editing siteRepeat sequence
spellingShingle Qun Hu
Qing Li
Yin Mao
Yongjian Luo
Zhijun Deng
Wenhu Zhang
Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
Scientific Reports
Leonurus japonicus Houtt
Mitochondrial genome
RNA editing site
Repeat sequence
title Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
title_full Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
title_fullStr Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
title_full_unstemmed Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
title_short Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)
title_sort assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of leonurus japonicus lamiaceae
topic Leonurus japonicus Houtt
Mitochondrial genome
RNA editing site
Repeat sequence
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97594-z
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