Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis

Abstract Phragmites australis is a globally distributed grass species (Poaceae) recognized for its vast biomass and exceptional environmental adaptability, making it an ideal model for studying wetland ecosystems and plant stress resilience. However, genomic resources for this species have been limi...

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Main Authors: Jipeng Cui, Rui Wang, Ruoqing Gu, Minghui Chen, Ziyao Wang, Li Li, Jianming Hong, Suxia Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07532-y
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author Jipeng Cui
Rui Wang
Ruoqing Gu
Minghui Chen
Ziyao Wang
Li Li
Jianming Hong
Suxia Cui
author_facet Jipeng Cui
Rui Wang
Ruoqing Gu
Minghui Chen
Ziyao Wang
Li Li
Jianming Hong
Suxia Cui
author_sort Jipeng Cui
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Phragmites australis is a globally distributed grass species (Poaceae) recognized for its vast biomass and exceptional environmental adaptability, making it an ideal model for studying wetland ecosystems and plant stress resilience. However, genomic resources for this species have been limited. In this study, we assembled a chromosome-level reference genome of P. australis containing one B chromosome. An explosion of LTR-RTs, centered on the Copia family, occurred during the late Pleistocene, driving the expansion of P. australis genome size and subgenomic differentiation. Comparative genomic analysis showed that P. australis underwent two whole gene duplication events, was segregated from Cleistogenes songorica at 34.6 Mya, and that 41.26% of the gene families underwent expansion. Based on multi-tissue transcriptomic data, we identified structural genes in the biosynthetic pathway of pharmacologically active Phragmitis rhizoma polysaccharides with essential roles in rhizome development. This study deepens our understanding of Arundinoideae evolution, genome dynamics, and the genetic basis of key traits, providing essential data and a genetic foundation for wetland restoration, bioenergy development, and plant stress.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2399-3642
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-41e1e797e4844cc9882851925e4632572025-01-19T12:35:14ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-01-018112010.1038/s42003-025-07532-yTelomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesisJipeng Cui0Rui Wang1Ruoqing Gu2Minghui Chen3Ziyao Wang4Li Li5Jianming Hong6Suxia Cui7College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal UniversityAbstract Phragmites australis is a globally distributed grass species (Poaceae) recognized for its vast biomass and exceptional environmental adaptability, making it an ideal model for studying wetland ecosystems and plant stress resilience. However, genomic resources for this species have been limited. In this study, we assembled a chromosome-level reference genome of P. australis containing one B chromosome. An explosion of LTR-RTs, centered on the Copia family, occurred during the late Pleistocene, driving the expansion of P. australis genome size and subgenomic differentiation. Comparative genomic analysis showed that P. australis underwent two whole gene duplication events, was segregated from Cleistogenes songorica at 34.6 Mya, and that 41.26% of the gene families underwent expansion. Based on multi-tissue transcriptomic data, we identified structural genes in the biosynthetic pathway of pharmacologically active Phragmitis rhizoma polysaccharides with essential roles in rhizome development. This study deepens our understanding of Arundinoideae evolution, genome dynamics, and the genetic basis of key traits, providing essential data and a genetic foundation for wetland restoration, bioenergy development, and plant stress.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07532-y
spellingShingle Jipeng Cui
Rui Wang
Ruoqing Gu
Minghui Chen
Ziyao Wang
Li Li
Jianming Hong
Suxia Cui
Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
Communications Biology
title Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
title_full Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
title_fullStr Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
title_full_unstemmed Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
title_short Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
title_sort telomere to telomere phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a b chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07532-y
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