Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra

Abstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.), a medicinally and economically significant genus in the Fabaceae, is known for synthesizing glycyrrhizin. Here, we present a newly assembled genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a key species distributed across Central and East Asia. Using Oxford Nanopore, Hi-C, and I...

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Main Authors: Jungeun Kim, Jeonghoon Lee, Jong-Soo Kang, Hyeonah Shim, Daewon Kang, Sae Hyun Lee, Jae-Pil Choi, Hui-Su Kim, Min Sun Kim, Yong Il Kim, Yunji Lee, Zafarjon Ziyaev, Yong Kook Shin, Jong Bhak, Tae-Jin Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92115-4
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author Jungeun Kim
Jeonghoon Lee
Jong-Soo Kang
Hyeonah Shim
Daewon Kang
Sae Hyun Lee
Jae-Pil Choi
Hui-Su Kim
Min Sun Kim
Yong Il Kim
Yunji Lee
Zafarjon Ziyaev
Yong Kook Shin
Jong Bhak
Tae-Jin Yang
author_facet Jungeun Kim
Jeonghoon Lee
Jong-Soo Kang
Hyeonah Shim
Daewon Kang
Sae Hyun Lee
Jae-Pil Choi
Hui-Su Kim
Min Sun Kim
Yong Il Kim
Yunji Lee
Zafarjon Ziyaev
Yong Kook Shin
Jong Bhak
Tae-Jin Yang
author_sort Jungeun Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.), a medicinally and economically significant genus in the Fabaceae, is known for synthesizing glycyrrhizin. Here, we present a newly assembled genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a key species distributed across Central and East Asia. Using Oxford Nanopore, Hi-C, and Illumina sequencing, we assembled a 415 Mbp genome with an N50 of 47 Mbp. While the genome structure was similar to previously reported assemblies, structural variations were observed across all eight chromosomes. Re-sequencing data from 29 individuals, including G. uralensis, G. glabra, and their hybrids, revealed significant genetic diversity, population structure, and hybridization events. Phylogenomic analyses using nuclear and plastid genomes demonstrated phylogenetic incongruence, supporting hybridization between G. uralensis and G. glabra. Our species network and gene flow test identified hybrid groups (Ggu1, Ggu2, and Gug) acting as genetic bridges between the species. Demographic history inferred via PSMC showed Glycyrrhiza species thrived during the Middle Pleistocene, with population size fluctuations in G. uralensis and hybrids. Current low heterozygosity and high genetic differentiation suggest long-term geographic and ecological isolation, reducing gene flow. Our findings advance the understanding of evolutionary history in Glycyrrhiza species and help conservation and molecular breeding of these species.
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spelling doaj-art-eb0948a7c4044a71830472b9f5179caa2025-08-20T01:47:32ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-92115-4Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabraJungeun Kim0Jeonghoon Lee1Jong-Soo Kang2Hyeonah Shim3Daewon Kang4Sae Hyun Lee5Jae-Pil Choi6Hui-Su Kim7Min Sun Kim8Yong Il Kim9Yunji Lee10Zafarjon Ziyaev11Yong Kook Shin12Jong Bhak13Tae-Jin Yang14Personal Genomics Institute, Genome Research FoundationNational Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDADepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Plant Genomics & Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National UniversityDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Plant Genomics & Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National UniversityDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Plant Genomics & Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National UniversityDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Plant Genomics & Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National UniversityNational Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDAKorean Genomics Center (KOGIC), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)Personal Genomics Institute, Genome Research FoundationNational Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDANational Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDAResearch Institute of Plant Genetic ResourcesSchool of Industrial Bio-pharmaceutical Science, Semyung UniversityPersonal Genomics Institute, Genome Research FoundationDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Plant Genomics & Breeding Institute, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National UniversityAbstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.), a medicinally and economically significant genus in the Fabaceae, is known for synthesizing glycyrrhizin. Here, we present a newly assembled genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a key species distributed across Central and East Asia. Using Oxford Nanopore, Hi-C, and Illumina sequencing, we assembled a 415 Mbp genome with an N50 of 47 Mbp. While the genome structure was similar to previously reported assemblies, structural variations were observed across all eight chromosomes. Re-sequencing data from 29 individuals, including G. uralensis, G. glabra, and their hybrids, revealed significant genetic diversity, population structure, and hybridization events. Phylogenomic analyses using nuclear and plastid genomes demonstrated phylogenetic incongruence, supporting hybridization between G. uralensis and G. glabra. Our species network and gene flow test identified hybrid groups (Ggu1, Ggu2, and Gug) acting as genetic bridges between the species. Demographic history inferred via PSMC showed Glycyrrhiza species thrived during the Middle Pleistocene, with population size fluctuations in G. uralensis and hybrids. Current low heterozygosity and high genetic differentiation suggest long-term geographic and ecological isolation, reducing gene flow. Our findings advance the understanding of evolutionary history in Glycyrrhiza species and help conservation and molecular breeding of these species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92115-4
spellingShingle Jungeun Kim
Jeonghoon Lee
Jong-Soo Kang
Hyeonah Shim
Daewon Kang
Sae Hyun Lee
Jae-Pil Choi
Hui-Su Kim
Min Sun Kim
Yong Il Kim
Yunji Lee
Zafarjon Ziyaev
Yong Kook Shin
Jong Bhak
Tae-Jin Yang
Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
Scientific Reports
title Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
title_full Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
title_fullStr Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
title_full_unstemmed Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
title_short Contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra
title_sort contributions of interspecific hybrids to genetic variability in glycyrrhiza uralensis and g glabra
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92115-4
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