Accession PRJCA024714
Title A reference-grade genome of the xerophyte Ammopiptanthus mongolicus sheds light on its evolution history in legumes and drought tolerance mechanisms
Relevance Agricultural
Data types Whole genome sequencing
Transcriptome or Gene expression
Genome sequencing and assembly
Raw sequence reads
Genome sequencing
Assembly
Organisms Ammopiptanthus mongolicus
Description Plants grown under extreme environments represent unique sources for stress-resistant genes and mechanisms. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Leguminosae) is a xerophytic legume shrub with evergreen broadleaves native to the semi-arid and desert regions, however, its drought tolerance mechanisms have not been well understood.</p><p>Here, we report the assembly of a reference-grade genome, its evolutionary history within the legume family, and examination to its drought tolerance mechanisms. The assembled genome size was 843.07 Mb and 98.7% of the assembly was successfully anchored to the nine chromosomes of the plant. 47,611 genes were predicted to be protein-coding and 70.71% of the genome is composed of repetitive sequences dominated by transposable elements, particularly long-terminal-repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). Evolutionary analyses revealed two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events shared by the genus Ammopiptanthus and other legumes at 130 and 58 million years ago (Mya), whereas no species-specific WGD was found within this genus. Further ancestral genome reconstruction indicated that the A. mongolicus genome had fewer rearrangements within the legume family, confirming it is a "relict plant". Transcriptomic analyses revealed that cuticular wax biosynthesis and transport genes were highly expressed under both normal and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced dehydration conditions, and significant induction of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling related genes were also observed in leaves experiencing the dehydration stress, indicating that enhanced ethylene response and formation of thick waxy cuticles are two major mechanisms of drought tolerance in A. mongolicus. Consistently, ectopic expression of AmERF2, an ethylene response factor unique for A. mongolicus, resulted in remarkable increase of drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants, demonstrating the application potential of A. mongolicus genes in crop improvement.
Sample scope Monoisolate
Release date 2024-03-31
Grants
Agency program Grant ID Grant title
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 91125027
GRF 14148916
GRF 14104521
RGC-AoE AoE/M-05/12
RGC-AoE AoE/M-403/16
NSFC-RGC Joint Scheme N-CUHK452/17
National Key Research and Development Program Key Innovative and Collaborative Science and Technology Scheme for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan 2017YFE0191100
Submitter Jiacheng Zhang (zhangjc@link.cuhk.edu.hk)
Organization The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Submission date 2024-03-27

Project Data

Resource name Description
BioSample (3) -
SAMC3484613 Hi-C of A. mongolicus: young leaves
SAMC3484612 PacBio SMRT seqquencing of A. mongolicus: young leaves
SAMC3484611 Shotgun sequencing of A. mongolicus: 7-day-old seedlings
GSA (2) -
CRA015667 PacBio SMRT for Ammopiptanthus mongolicus
CRA015661 Hi-C for Ammopiptanthus mongolicus