Pseudomonas sp. ST4 is a potent biocontrol agent against sugarcane smut disease, acting primarily by inhibiting the sexual mating of the fungal pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum. However, the genetic basis of its antifungal activity has remained unexplored. To elucidate the genetic basis of ST4's biocontrol activity, we obtained its complete genome sequence and conducted comprehensive genomic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic analyses. We additionally performed a genome-wide Tn5 transposon mutagenesis screen to identify genes critical for its inhibitory activity, followed by a broader phylogenomic analysis to assess the evolutionary conservation of these traits across the Pseudomonadaceae family. Based on our analyses, we delineated ST4 as a novel species, Pseudomonas shiyinii sp. nov. The 5.14-Mb genome harbors numerous genes and biosynthetic gene clusters associated with plant-beneficial traits. The Tn5 mutagenesis screen revealed that the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (Gcd) pathway is essential for the inhibitory activity of ST4, with 78% of loss-of-function mutants mapping to the pqq or gcd genes. We further demonstrated that acidification of the environment mediated by the PQQ-Gcd system in ST4 inhibits S. scitamineum mating-a critical step in pathogenicity-without compromising haploid sporidial viability. In addition to this primary mechanism, the ST4 genome contains complete biosynthesis pathways for the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which may also serve as a precursor for the previously identified active metabolite indole-3-carbaldehyde (ICHO), a specific inhibitor of fungal sexual mating. Phylogenomic analysis showed that while the PQQ-Gcd system is broadly conserved across Pseudomonadaceae, the capacity for IAA/I3C production is more specialized, confined to approximately 21% of Pseudomonas species. Together, our findings decipher the molecular mechanism of a widely conserved biocontrol trait and establish P. shiyinii ST4 as a promising, ecologically adaptable candidate for sustainable crop protection.
Epigenetic modifications on natural chromosomes are inherited and maintained in a default state, making it challenging to remove intrinsic marks to study the fundamental principles of their establishment and further influence on transcriptional regulation. In this study, we developed SynNICE, a method for assembling and delivering intact, naive, synthetic megabase (Mb)-scale human DNA into early mouse embryos, to study de novo epigenetic regulation. By assembling and delivering a 1.14-Mb human AZFa (hAZFa) locus, we observed the spontaneous incorporation of murine histones and the establishment of DNA methylation at the one-cell stage. Notably, DNA methylation from scratch strongly enriches at repeat sequences without H3K9me3 reinforcement. Furthermore, the transcription of hAZFa initiated at the four-cell stage is regulated by newly established DNA methylation. This method provides a unique platform for exploring de novo epigenomic regulation mechanisms in higher animals.
Multiple studies in a range of taxa have found links between structural variants and the development of ecologically important traits. Such variants are becoming easier to find due, in large part, to the increase in the amount of genome-wide sequence data in nonmodel organisms. The salmonids (salmon, trout, and charr) are a taxonomic group with abundant genome-wide datasets due to their importance in aquaculture, fisheries, and variation in multiple ecologically important life-history traits. Previous research on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has documented a large pericentric (∼55 Mb) chromosomal inversion (CI) on chromosome 5 (Omy05) and a second smaller (∼14 Mb) chromosome inversion on Omy20. While the Omy05 inversion appears to be associated with multiple adaptive traits, the inversion on Omy20 has received far less attention. In this study, we re-analyze RAD-seq and amplicon data from several populations of rainbow trout (O. mykiss) to better document the structure and geographic distribution of variation in the Omy20 CI. Moreover, we utilize phylogenomic techniques to characterize both the age- and the protein-coding gene content of the Omy20 CI. We find that the age of the Omy20 inversion dates to the early stages of O. mykiss speciation and predates the Omy05 inversion by ∼450,000 years. The 2 CIs differ further in terms of the frequency of the homokaryotypes. While both forms of the Omy05 CI are found across the eastern Pacific, the ancestral version of the Omy20 CI is restricted to the southern portion of the species range in California. Furthermore, the Omy20 inverted haplotype is comparable in genetic diversity to the ancestral form, whereas derived CIs typically show substantially reduced genetic diversity. These data contribute to our understanding of the age and distribution of a large CI in rainbow trout and provide a framework for researchers looking to document CIs in other nonmodel species.
We present prenatal diagnosis of a 14-Mb 11p11.2-p13 deletion by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) in a pregnancy with fetal recombinant chromosome 11 syndrome of rec(11)del(11) (p11.2p13)ins(11) (q21p11.2p13) and maternal intrachromosomal insertion of ins(11) (q21p11.2p13). A 25-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of a family history of psychiatric disorders in her two brothers and one maternal uncle. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis of amniocentesis revealed a 14-Mb 11p13p11.2 deletion. The pregnancy was terminated at 19 weeks of gestation, and a 252-g fetus was delivered. Cytogenetic analysis of the parental bloods and cord blood revealed a karyotype of 46,XX,ins(11) (q21p11.2p13) in the mother, 46,XY in the father and 46,XY,rec(11)del(11) (p11.2p13)ins(11) (q21p11.2p13) in the fetus. aCGH analysis on the DNA extracted from cord blood revealed the result of arr 11p13q11.2 (32,697,424-46,712,173) × 1.0 [GRCh37] with a 14-Mb deletion of 11p13-p11.2 encompassing 54 OMIM genes including PHF21A, ALX4, EXT2 and SLC1A2. Polymorphic DNA marker analysis showed a maternal origin of the 11p deletion. The present case had an 11p13-p11.2 deletion encompassing 11p12-p11.3 which is associated with Potocki-Shaffer syndrome (PSS) or chromosome 11p11.2 deletion syndrome. CMA is useful for prenatal detection of fetal genomic imbalance in case of familial intrachromosomal insertion.
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a globally used ornamental woody plant and is the representative species of Lagerstroemia. However, studies on the evolution and genomic breeding of L. indica have been hindered by the lack of a reference genome. Here we assembled the first high-quality genome of L. indica using PacBio combined with Hi-C scaffolding to anchor the 329.14-Mb genome assembly into 24 pseudochromosomes. We detected a previously undescribed independent whole-genome triplication event occurring 35.5 million years ago in L. indica following its divergence from Punica granatum. After resequencing 73 accessions of Lagerstroemia, the main parents of modern crape myrtle cultivars were found to be L. indica and L. fauriei. During the process of domestication, genetic diversity tended to decrease in many plants, but this was not observed in L. indica. We constructed a high-density genetic linkage map with an average map distance of 0.33 cM. Furthermore, we integrated the results of quantitative trait locus (QTL) using genetic mapping and bulk segregant analysis (BSA), revealing that the major-effect interval controlling internode length (IL) is located on chr1, which contains CDL15, CRG98, and GID1b1 associated with the phytohormone pathways. Analysis of gene expression of the red, purple, and white flower-colour flavonoid pathways revealed that differential expression of multiple genes determined the flower colour of L. indica, with white flowers having the lowest gene expression. In addition, BSA of purple- and green-leaved individuals of populations of L. indica was performed, and the leaf colour loci were mapped to chr12 and chr17. Within these intervals, we identified MYB35, NCED, and KAS1. Our genome assembly provided a foundation for investigating the evolution, population structure, and differentiation of Myrtaceae species and accelerating the molecular breeding of L. indica.
The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a semi-aquatic rodent species with ecological, economic, and medicinal importance. Here, we present an improved genome assembly, which is the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of the muskrat with high completeness and contiguity assembled using single-tube long fragment read, BGISEQ, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The genome size of the final assembly was 2.63 Gb with 27 pseudochromosomes. The length of scaffold N50 reached 80.25 Mb with a Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog score of 91.3%. We identified a 66.98 Mb X chromosome and a 1.14-Mb Y-linked genome region, and these sex-linked regions were validated by resequencing 32 extra male individuals. We predicted 19,396 protein-coding genes, among which 19,395 (99.99%) were functionally annotated. The expanded gene families in the muskrat genome were found to be enriched in several organic synthesis- and metabolism-related Gene Ontology terms, suggesting the likely genomic basis for the production and secretion of musk. This chromosome-level genome represents a valuable resource for improving our understanding of muskrat ecology and musk secretion.
To perform genetic linkage analysis in a family affected with ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The authors performed a genome-wide linkage analysis of a four-generation, 50-member Scandinavian family in which five individuals were diagnosed with ALS and nine with FTD. Linkage calculations assuming autosomal dominant inheritance of a single neurodegenerative disease manifesting as either ALS or FTD with age-dependent penetrance were performed. Further analyses for ALS alone and FTD alone were performed. A parametric logarithm of odds (lod) score of 2.0 or greater was required for further study of a potential locus and crossover (haplotype) analysis. A new ALS-FTD locus was identified between markers D9s1870 and D9s1791 on human chromosome 9p21.3-p13.3. A maximum multipoint lod score of 3.00 was obtained between markers D9s1121 and D9s2154. Crossover analysis indicates this region covers approximately 21.8 cM, or 14Mb. A locus on chromosome 9p21.3-p13.3 is linked to ALS-FTD.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is one of the most important crops worldwide and is also considered a research model for the large-genome small grain temperate cereals. Despite genomic resources improving all the time, they are limited for the cv Golden Promise, the most efficient genotype for genetic transformation. We have developed a barley cv Golden Promise reference assembly integrating Illumina paired-end reads, long mate-pair reads, Dovetail Chicago in vitro proximity ligation libraries and chromosome conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C) libraries into a contiguous reference assembly. The assembled genome of 7 chromosomes and 4.13Gb in size, has a super-scaffold N50 after Chicago libraries of 4.14Mb and contains only 2.2% gaps. Using BUSCO (benchmarking universal single copy orthologous genes) as evaluation the genome assembly contains 95.2% of complete and single copy genes from the plant database. A high-quality Golden Promise reference assembly will be useful and utilized by the whole barley research community but will prove particularly useful for CRISPR-Cas9 experiments.
Domestic pigs have evolved genetic adaptations to their local environmental conditions, such as cold and hot climates. We sequenced the genomes of 69 pigs from 15 geographically divergent locations in China and detected 41 million variants, of which 21 million were absent from the dbSNP database. In a genome-wide scan, we identified a set of loci that likely have a role in regional adaptations to high- and low-latitude environments within China. Intriguingly, we found an exceptionally large (14-Mb) region with a low recombination rate on the X chromosome that appears to have two distinct haplotypes in the high- and low-latitude populations, possibly underlying their adaptation to cold and hot environments, respectively. Surprisingly, the adaptive sweep in the high-latitude regions has acted on DNA that might have been introgressed from an extinct Sus species. Our findings provide new insights into the evolutionary history of pigs and the role of introgression in adaptation.
Silique length (SL) and seed weight (SW) are important yield-associated traits in rapeseed (Brassica napus). Although many quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SL and SW have been identified in B. napus, comparative analysis for those QTL is seldom performed. In the present study, 20 and 21 QTL for SL and SW were identified in doubled haploid (DH) and DH-derived reconstructed F2 populations in rapeseed, explaining 55.1-74.3% and 24.4-62.9% of the phenotypic variation across three years, respectively. Of which, 17 QTL with partially or completely overlapped confidence interval on chromosome A09, were homologous with two overlapped QTL on chromosome C08 by aligning QTL confidence intervals with the reference genomes of Brassica crops. By high density selective genotyping of DH lines with extreme phenotypes, using a Brassica single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, the QTL on chromosome A09 was narrowed, and aligned into 1.14-Mb region from 30.84 to 31.98 Mb on chromosome R09 of B. rapa and 1.05-Mb region from 27.21 to 28.26 Mb on chromosome A09 of B. napus. The alignment of QTL with Brassica reference genomes revealed homologous QTL on A09 and C08 for SL. The narrowed QTL region provides clues for gene cloning and breeding cultivars by marker-assisted selection.
We report a familial case with a proximal interstitial deletion of chromosome 21q [del(21q)]. Although the mother in the family was phenotypically normal, her first child was affected with both sensorineural hearing loss and moderate mental retardation, and the second affected child had mild mental retardation but not sensorineural hearing loss. We determined breakpoints of the del(21q) in the mother and her two affected children by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using 45 DNA clones and the molecular analysis using 21 DNA markers. The proximal breakpoint of the del(21q) was located at a region between 0.33 Mb and 0.46 Mb distal to the centromere, and the distal breakpoint was at a region between 14.6 Mb and 14.9 Mb. The finding indicates that the three individuals had an approximate 14-Mb deletion within 21q11.2-q21.3. Molecular analysis showed that both affected children shared the same maternal haplotype of their del(21q), but a crossover was detected in the paternally inherited normal chromosome 21. These data suggest that unmasking of deleterious genes on the paternally derived chromosome 21 of the two children as a result of the deletion may affect the extent of their mental retardation and/or sensorineural hearing loss. Usher syndrome 1E may be a candidate disease locus related to the sensorineural hearing loss of the first child.
To validate Illumina's two-channel NextSeq 500 sequencing system for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of fetal whole chromosome and partial aberrations. A total of 162 plasma samples, previously sequenced for NIPT on a SOLiD 5500xl platform, were sequenced on the NextSeq 500 using 75-bp single-end sequencing, followed by analysis using the WISECONDOR algorithm. For whole chromosome aneuploidy detection, all samples were classified correctly (in total 3× T13, 3× T18, 8× T21 and 145× euploid). Three partial aberrations (36-Mb terminal loss of 5p, 14-Mb gain on 18p and 33-Mb terminal loss of 13q) were also correctly identified. Fetal fractions in 34 male samples sequenced on both the SOLiD 5500xl and NextSeq 500 platform showed no significant difference. To test robustness, two sample sets, containing both euploid and aneuploid samples, were sequenced on different NextSeq 500 machines, revealing identical results. With unchanged laboratory flow, the NIPT turnaround time could be reduced from 15-16 calendar days to 7-8 calendar days, after switching from the SOLiD 5500xl to the NextSeq 500 platform. The NextSeq 500 platform can be used for NIPT to detect both whole and partial chromosome aberrations. It has fast turnaround times and is suitable for mid-sized laboratories.
To identify novel pain-relevant genes, a set of 35 recombinant congenic strains derived from the sensitive C57BL/6 and resistant A/J strains were tested for their sensitivity to noxious heat on the radiant heat paw-withdrawal test. Nine strains were found to display differential sensitivity, and the two most extreme responders were used to generate independent secondary crosses for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. From these genetic analyses, a QTL, which we call Tpnr5, was mapped to a 14-Mb interval of mouse chromosome 4 containing 39 genes. In addition to the paw-withdrawal test phenotype, Tpnr5 may be relevant to mechanical and inflammatory nociception. A series of strategies - including in silico analyses, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in multiple tissues and exonic DNA sequencing - were used to generate a list of six prioritized candidate genes. One of these, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), displayed enriched expression in the dorsal root ganglia, an inactivating (C110Y) mutation in the resistant A/J strain, and a null mutant found to be more resistant to thermal nociception compared to its wild-type counterpart. Although other genes cannot be definitively ruled out, existing data are supportive of the candidacy of Tyrp1 as representing the Tpnr5 QTL. Tyrosinase-related protein 1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of eumelanin, and possible relationships between eumelanin-expressing cells and thermal nociception are discussed. The positional cloning of Tpnr5 is also considered in light of the heuristic value but continuing challenges of QTL mapping in the mouse.
A region in the vicinity of D17Mit119 on mouse chromosome 17 harbors a susceptibility gene, designated as Ahl3, to age-related hearing loss (AHL). We produced congenic lines of C57BL/6 background that substituted regions around D17Mit119 with MSM-derived ones, and examined auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds for their hearing capacity at 6 and 12months of age. Three congenic lines carrying the approximately 14-Mb region between D17Mit274 and D17Mit183 retained normal hearing at 12months of age whereas two congenic lines not carrying this region tended to lose hearing at that age. We also investigated noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in congenic lines at 1, 7 and 14days after exposure to the noise of 100dB for 1h. Most congenic mice carrying the 14-Mb region did not exhibit permanent threshold shift (PTS) whereas mice not carrying this region exhibited a strong tendency of PTS, indicating the role of Ahl3 in susceptibility to NIHL. These results indicate that Ahl3 exists within the 14-Mb region and affects not only AHL but also NIHL.
We have identified numerous Ancestral Haplotypes encoding a 14-Mb region of Bota C19. Three are frequent in Simmental, Angus and Wagyu and have been conserved since common progenitor populations. Others are more relevant to the differences between these 3 breeds including fat content and distribution in muscle. SREBF1 and Growth Hormone, which have been implicated in the production of healthy beef, are included within these haplotypes. However, we conclude that alleles at these 2 loci are less important than other sequences within the haplotypes. Identification of breeds and hybrids is improved by using haplotypes rather than individual alleles.
To present prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of a derivative chromosome der(18;18)(q10;q10)del(18)(q11.1q12.1)del(18)(q22.1q22.3). A 32-year-old woman was referred for genetic counseling of prenatally detected isochromosome 18q [i(18q)]. She had undergone amniocentesis at 19 gestational weeks because of a trisomy 18 risk of 1/39 derived from abnormally low levels of maternal serum unconjugated estriol, inhibin A, α-fetoprotein, and total β-human chorionic gonadotropin. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX,i(18)(q10). Parental karyotypes were normal. Prenatal ultrasound showed alobar holoprosencephaly. Repeated amniocentesis was requested and performed at 21 gestational weeks. Array-comparative genomic hybridization analyses revealed a 14-Mb deletion of 18p11.32-p11.21, a 37.8-Mb duplication of 18q12.1-q22.1, and a 6.9-Mb duplication of 18q22.3-q23. Metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization study showed the absence of an 18q12.1-specific probe signal in one arm and the absence of an 18q22.2-specific probe signal in the other arm of the derivative chromosome. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction analysis determined a paternal origin of the derivative chromosome. The cytogenetic result was 46,XX,der(18;18)(q10;q10)del(18)(q11.1q12.1)del(18)(q22.1q22.3). The fetus postnatally manifested cebocephaly. Concomitant monosomy 18p and trisomy 18q can be associated with holoprosencephaly and abnormal maternal serum screening results. Array-comparative genomic hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction are useful in genetic counseling of prenatally detected isochromosomes by providing information on the origin and genetic components of the isochromosome.
Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungi are unconventional plant pathogens that cause economic losses by blemishing the surface appearance of infected fruit. Here, we introduce the 18.14-Mb genome of Peltaster fructicola, one of the most prevalent SBFS species on apple. This undersized assembly contains only 8,334 predicted protein-coding genes and a very small repertoire of repetitive elements. Phylogenomics and comparative genomics revealed that P. fructicola had undergone a reductive evolution, during which the numbers of orphan genes and genes involved in plant cell wall degradation, secondary metabolism, and secreted peptidases and effectors were drastically reduced. In contrast, the genes controlling 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin biosynthesis and appressorium-mediated penetration were retained substantially. Additionally, microscopic examination of the surfaces of infected apple indicated for the first time that P. fructicola can not only dissolve epicuticular waxes but also partially penetrate the cuticle proper. Our findings indicate that genome contraction, characterized mainly by the massive loss of pathogenicity-related genes, has played an important role in the evolution of P. fructicola (and by implication other SBFS species) from a plant-penetrating ancestor to a non-invasive ectophyte, displaying a novel form of trophic interaction between plants and fungi.
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is important in Chinese traditional medicine where preparations of dried roots, "Huang Qin," are used for liver and lung complaints and as complementary cancer treatments. We report a high-quality reference genome sequence for S. baicalensis where 93% of the 408.14-Mb genome has been assembled into nine pseudochromosomes with a super-N50 of 33.2 Mb. Comparison of this sequence with those of closely related species in the order Lamiales, Sesamum indicum and Salvia splendens, revealed that a specialized metabolic pathway for the synthesis of 4'-deoxyflavone bioactives evolved in the genus Scutellaria. We found that the gene encoding a specific cinnamate coenzyme A ligase likely obtained its new function following recent mutations, and that four genes encoding enzymes in the 4'-deoxyflavone pathway are present as tandem repeats in the genome of S. baicalensis. Further analyses revealed that gene duplications, segmental duplication, gene amplification, and point mutations coupled to gene neo- and subfunctionalizations were involved in the evolution of 4'-deoxyflavone synthesis in the genus Scutellaria. Our study not only provides significant insight into the evolution of specific flavone biosynthetic pathways in the mint family, Lamiaceae, but also will facilitate the development of tools for enhancing bioactive productivity by metabolic engineering in microbes or by molecular breeding in plants. The reference genome of S. baicalensis is also useful for improving the genome assemblies for other members of the mint family and offers an important foundation for decoding the synthetic pathways of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants.
We describe the clinical, radiographic, and genetic features of a large consanguineous Moroccan family in which bilateral occipital polymicrogyria segregated as an autosomal recessive trait. Six affected members of the family had partial complex seizures often associated with behavioral abnormalities. On MRI, three patients had a thickened irregular cortex in the lateral occipital lobes with small gyri. A high-density genome-wide scan with 10,000 SNPs established linkage by homozygosity mapping to a 14-Mb region on chromosome 6q16-q22. Candidate genes by function (TUBE1, GRIK2, GPRC6A, GPR6, NR2E1, MICAL1, and MARCKS) in this locus were screened for mutations.