Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant

Abstract Background Phlomoides rotata, an endemic Tibetan medicinal plant adapted to extreme alpine environments, faces conservation challenges due to habitat degradation and overharvesting. Despite its ecological and medicinal importance, its mitochondrial genome remains uncharacterized, limiting i...

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Main Authors: Houzhou Liu, Zhongqiong Tian, Tsering Danzin, Xin Tan, Junwei Wang, Qiong La, Wei Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Genomics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11871-9
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author Houzhou Liu
Zhongqiong Tian
Tsering Danzin
Xin Tan
Junwei Wang
Qiong La
Wei Li
author_facet Houzhou Liu
Zhongqiong Tian
Tsering Danzin
Xin Tan
Junwei Wang
Qiong La
Wei Li
author_sort Houzhou Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Phlomoides rotata, an endemic Tibetan medicinal plant adapted to extreme alpine environments, faces conservation challenges due to habitat degradation and overharvesting. Despite its ecological and medicinal importance, its mitochondrial genome remains uncharacterized, limiting insights into its evolutionary adaptations and genomic architecture. Results We present the initial de novo assembly and annotation of the P. rotata mitochondrial genome, a circular molecule with a GC content of 45.06% and a length of 377,312 bp. A total of 32 protein-coding genes (PCGs), three ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 12 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes were identified through genome annotation. These genes include multicopy genes (trnM-CAU, matR). Analysis of codon usage bias indicated a preference for A/U ending synonymous codons, aligning with trends observed in other angiosperms. RNA editing research revealed 445 C-to-U transitions, predominantly at the second codon position, with nonsynonymous alterations (71%) surpassing synonymous changes, indicating potential functional adaptive roles. Repetitive sequence analysis uncovered 81 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and a large palindromic repeat (13,075 bp), linked to genomic rearrangements. Homologous alignments identified 12 chloroplast-derived fragments in the mitogenome, including intact tRNA and rpl23 genes, evidencing interorganellar gene transfer. Phylogenetic analysis using 27 conserved PCGs positioned P. rotata within a well-supported Lamiales clade, closely related to Leonurus japonicus, corroborating its taxonomic placement and providing a framework for evolutionary studies. Conclusions The P. rotata mitogenome exhibits structural complexity and adaptive features, including codon bias, RNA editing, and repetitive sequences, underscoring its role in high-altitude adaptation. These findings provide critical genomic resources for conservation, breeding, and understanding the molecular mechanisms of organellar evolution in extreme environments.
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spelling doaj-art-c7fee52ddf2145afb4871440169b1d342025-08-20T03:42:40ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642025-08-0126111510.1186/s12864-025-11871-9Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plantHouzhou Liu0Zhongqiong Tian1Tsering Danzin2Xin Tan3Junwei Wang4Qiong La5Wei Li6Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationNyingchi Science and Technology Development and Exchange Service CenterKey Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Ministry of EducationAbstract Background Phlomoides rotata, an endemic Tibetan medicinal plant adapted to extreme alpine environments, faces conservation challenges due to habitat degradation and overharvesting. Despite its ecological and medicinal importance, its mitochondrial genome remains uncharacterized, limiting insights into its evolutionary adaptations and genomic architecture. Results We present the initial de novo assembly and annotation of the P. rotata mitochondrial genome, a circular molecule with a GC content of 45.06% and a length of 377,312 bp. A total of 32 protein-coding genes (PCGs), three ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 12 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes were identified through genome annotation. These genes include multicopy genes (trnM-CAU, matR). Analysis of codon usage bias indicated a preference for A/U ending synonymous codons, aligning with trends observed in other angiosperms. RNA editing research revealed 445 C-to-U transitions, predominantly at the second codon position, with nonsynonymous alterations (71%) surpassing synonymous changes, indicating potential functional adaptive roles. Repetitive sequence analysis uncovered 81 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and a large palindromic repeat (13,075 bp), linked to genomic rearrangements. Homologous alignments identified 12 chloroplast-derived fragments in the mitogenome, including intact tRNA and rpl23 genes, evidencing interorganellar gene transfer. Phylogenetic analysis using 27 conserved PCGs positioned P. rotata within a well-supported Lamiales clade, closely related to Leonurus japonicus, corroborating its taxonomic placement and providing a framework for evolutionary studies. Conclusions The P. rotata mitogenome exhibits structural complexity and adaptive features, including codon bias, RNA editing, and repetitive sequences, underscoring its role in high-altitude adaptation. These findings provide critical genomic resources for conservation, breeding, and understanding the molecular mechanisms of organellar evolution in extreme environments.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11871-9Phlomoides rotataQinghai-Tibet plateauMitochondrial genomeAdaptation evolutionPhylogenetics
spellingShingle Houzhou Liu
Zhongqiong Tian
Tsering Danzin
Xin Tan
Junwei Wang
Qiong La
Wei Li
Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
BMC Genomics
Phlomoides rotata
Qinghai-Tibet plateau
Mitochondrial genome
Adaptation evolution
Phylogenetics
title Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
title_full Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
title_fullStr Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
title_full_unstemmed Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
title_short Characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phlomoides rotata, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant
title_sort characterization and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of phlomoides rotata a traditional tibetan medicinal plant
topic Phlomoides rotata
Qinghai-Tibet plateau
Mitochondrial genome
Adaptation evolution
Phylogenetics
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11871-9
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