Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication

Abstract Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is among the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables globally, valued for its phytonutrients beneficial for human health. Here, we report the high-quality reference super-pangenome for the Lactuca genus by integrating 12 chromosome-scale genomes from repre...

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Main Authors: Shuai Cao, Nunchanoke Sawettalake, Lisha Shen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62641-w
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author Shuai Cao
Nunchanoke Sawettalake
Lisha Shen
author_facet Shuai Cao
Nunchanoke Sawettalake
Lisha Shen
author_sort Shuai Cao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is among the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables globally, valued for its phytonutrients beneficial for human health. Here, we report the high-quality reference super-pangenome for the Lactuca genus by integrating 12 chromosome-scale genomes from representative cultivated lettuce morphotypes, landrace, and wild relatives, and investigate lettuce genome evolution and domestication. These assemblies exhibit diverse genome sizes ranging from 2.1 Gb to 5.5 Gb with abundant repetitive sequences, and expansion of repetitive sequences, associated with low DNA methylation levels, likely contributes to the genome size variations. Furthermore, by constructing a graph-based lettuce pangenome reference, we explore the landscape, genomic, and epigenetic features of structural variations, and reveal their contributions to gene expression and domestication. We also identify copy number variations in FLOWERING LOCUS C in association with delayed flowering in cultivated lettuce. Overall, this comprehensive Lactuca super-pangenome assembly will expedite functional genomics studies and breeding efforts of this globally important crop.
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spelling doaj-art-ab40c87b633f471ba73f5ecf9caa73702025-08-20T04:02:54ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111410.1038/s41467-025-62641-wLactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domesticationShuai Cao0Nunchanoke Sawettalake1Lisha Shen2Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of SingaporeTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of SingaporeTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of SingaporeAbstract Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is among the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables globally, valued for its phytonutrients beneficial for human health. Here, we report the high-quality reference super-pangenome for the Lactuca genus by integrating 12 chromosome-scale genomes from representative cultivated lettuce morphotypes, landrace, and wild relatives, and investigate lettuce genome evolution and domestication. These assemblies exhibit diverse genome sizes ranging from 2.1 Gb to 5.5 Gb with abundant repetitive sequences, and expansion of repetitive sequences, associated with low DNA methylation levels, likely contributes to the genome size variations. Furthermore, by constructing a graph-based lettuce pangenome reference, we explore the landscape, genomic, and epigenetic features of structural variations, and reveal their contributions to gene expression and domestication. We also identify copy number variations in FLOWERING LOCUS C in association with delayed flowering in cultivated lettuce. Overall, this comprehensive Lactuca super-pangenome assembly will expedite functional genomics studies and breeding efforts of this globally important crop.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62641-w
spellingShingle Shuai Cao
Nunchanoke Sawettalake
Lisha Shen
Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
Nature Communications
title Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
title_full Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
title_fullStr Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
title_full_unstemmed Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
title_short Lactuca super-pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
title_sort lactuca super pangenome provides insights into lettuce genome evolution and domestication
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62641-w
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AT lishashen lactucasuperpangenomeprovidesinsightsintolettucegenomeevolutionanddomestication