Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications

Abstract Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled detailed characterization of plant mitochondrial genomes. Here, we assembled and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii Nakai, a key oak species in Fagaceae, using Illumina NovaSeq6000. The genome consists of a 364,958 ...

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Main Authors: Xuan Li, Shixin Zhang, Yongfu Li, Yousry A. El-Kassaby, Yanming Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Genomics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11877-3
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author Xuan Li
Shixin Zhang
Yongfu Li
Yousry A. El-Kassaby
Yanming Fang
author_facet Xuan Li
Shixin Zhang
Yongfu Li
Yousry A. El-Kassaby
Yanming Fang
author_sort Xuan Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled detailed characterization of plant mitochondrial genomes. Here, we assembled and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii Nakai, a key oak species in Fagaceae, using Illumina NovaSeq6000. The genome consists of a 364,958 bp linear and a 53,677 bp circular chromosome, totaling 418,635 bp with a GC content of 45.6%. Repeat-rich regions (210–250 and 300–340 kb) may facilitate structural rearrangements, while extensive RNA editing-particularly in nad4 and ccmF-likely enhances protein functionality and mitochondrial adaptability. Comparative collinearity analysis showed high structural conservation with Q. acutissima Carruth. (90.92%) but marked divergence from Fagus sylvatica L. (35.80%), suggesting lineage-specific rearrangements. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome supports the same placement of Q. chenii within Fagaceae as that derived from the chloroplast genome. The Ka/Ks analysis across Fagaceae mitochondrial genomes revealed strong conservation of core genes, with adaptive variations in energy metabolism-related genes, suggesting functional divergence linked to metabolic optimization under environmental stress. These findings highlight the distinct evolutionary strategies of mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes: the former optimizing energy production, while the latter fine-tunes photosynthesis and stress responses. Comparison analysis with the chloroplast genome further revealed both conserved (psbT and psbC) and divergent (ndhD and ndhF) genes, implying potential historical gene transfer events. Together, these findings highlight the dynamic yet conserved nature of the Q. chenii mitochondrial genome and provide new insights into organellar genome evolution, structural plasticity, and adaptive mechanisms within the Fagaceae family.
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spelling doaj-art-4300cc59cfae4074b6a8d410db12e0062025-08-20T03:42:40ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642025-07-0126111610.1186/s12864-025-11877-3Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implicationsXuan Li0Shixin Zhang1Yongfu Li2Yousry A. El-Kassaby3Yanming Fang4Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, Nanjing Forestry UniversityCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, Nanjing Forestry UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen)Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British ColumbiaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, Nanjing Forestry UniversityAbstract Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled detailed characterization of plant mitochondrial genomes. Here, we assembled and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii Nakai, a key oak species in Fagaceae, using Illumina NovaSeq6000. The genome consists of a 364,958 bp linear and a 53,677 bp circular chromosome, totaling 418,635 bp with a GC content of 45.6%. Repeat-rich regions (210–250 and 300–340 kb) may facilitate structural rearrangements, while extensive RNA editing-particularly in nad4 and ccmF-likely enhances protein functionality and mitochondrial adaptability. Comparative collinearity analysis showed high structural conservation with Q. acutissima Carruth. (90.92%) but marked divergence from Fagus sylvatica L. (35.80%), suggesting lineage-specific rearrangements. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome supports the same placement of Q. chenii within Fagaceae as that derived from the chloroplast genome. The Ka/Ks analysis across Fagaceae mitochondrial genomes revealed strong conservation of core genes, with adaptive variations in energy metabolism-related genes, suggesting functional divergence linked to metabolic optimization under environmental stress. These findings highlight the distinct evolutionary strategies of mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes: the former optimizing energy production, while the latter fine-tunes photosynthesis and stress responses. Comparison analysis with the chloroplast genome further revealed both conserved (psbT and psbC) and divergent (ndhD and ndhF) genes, implying potential historical gene transfer events. Together, these findings highlight the dynamic yet conserved nature of the Q. chenii mitochondrial genome and provide new insights into organellar genome evolution, structural plasticity, and adaptive mechanisms within the Fagaceae family.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11877-3Mitochondrial genomeQuercus cheniiGenome evolutionRepeat-mediated rearrangementsFagaceae phylogeny
spellingShingle Xuan Li
Shixin Zhang
Yongfu Li
Yousry A. El-Kassaby
Yanming Fang
Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
BMC Genomics
Mitochondrial genome
Quercus chenii
Genome evolution
Repeat-mediated rearrangements
Fagaceae phylogeny
title Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
title_full Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
title_fullStr Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
title_full_unstemmed Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
title_short Mitochondrial genome of Quercus chenii: genomic features and evolutionary implications
title_sort mitochondrial genome of quercus chenii genomic features and evolutionary implications
topic Mitochondrial genome
Quercus chenii
Genome evolution
Repeat-mediated rearrangements
Fagaceae phylogeny
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11877-3
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AT yousryaelkassaby mitochondrialgenomeofquercuscheniigenomicfeaturesandevolutionaryimplications
AT yanmingfang mitochondrialgenomeofquercuscheniigenomicfeaturesandevolutionaryimplications