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The Welwitschia genome reveals a unique biology underpinning extreme longevity in deserts

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Listed:
  • Tao Wan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhiming Liu

    (FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ilia J. Leitch

    (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

  • Haiping Xin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gillian Maggs-Kölling

    (Gobabeb Research and Training Centre)

  • Yanbing Gong

    (Wuhan University)

  • Zhen Li

    (Ghent University
    Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB)

  • Eugene Marais

    (Gobabeb Research and Training Centre)

  • Yiying Liao

    (FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Can Dai

    (Hubei University)

  • Fan Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qijia Wu

    (Seqhealth Technology)

  • Chi Song

    (China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences)

  • Yadong Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Weichang Huang

    (Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden)

  • Kai Jiang

    (Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden)

  • Qi Wang

    (Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden)

  • Yong Yang

    (Nanjing Forestry University)

  • Zhixiang Zhong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ming Yang

    (FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xue Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guangwan Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chen Hou

    (Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)

  • Yingjuan Su

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Shixiu Feng

    (FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ji Yang

    (Fudan University)

  • Jijun Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jinfang Chu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fan Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jinhua Ran

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaoquan Wang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yves Van de Peer

    (Ghent University
    Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB
    University of Pretoria
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Andrew R. Leitch

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Qingfeng Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The gymnosperm Welwitschia mirabilis belongs to the ancient, enigmatic gnetophyte lineage. It is a unique desert plant with extreme longevity and two ever-elongating leaves. We present a chromosome-level assembly of its genome (6.8 Gb/1 C) together with methylome and transcriptome data to explore its astonishing biology. We also present a refined, high-quality assembly of Gnetum montanum to enhance our understanding of gnetophyte genome evolution. The Welwitschia genome has been shaped by a lineage-specific ancient, whole genome duplication (~86 million years ago) and more recently (1-2 million years) by bursts of retrotransposon activity. High levels of cytosine methylation (particularly at CHH motifs) are associated with retrotransposons, whilst long-term deamination has resulted in an exceptionally GC-poor genome. Changes in copy number and/or expression of gene families and transcription factors (e.g. R2R3MYB, SAUR) controlling cell growth, differentiation and metabolism underpin the plant’s longevity and tolerance to temperature, nutrient and water stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Tao Wan & Zhiming Liu & Ilia J. Leitch & Haiping Xin & Gillian Maggs-Kölling & Yanbing Gong & Zhen Li & Eugene Marais & Yiying Liao & Can Dai & Fan Liu & Qijia Wu & Chi Song & Yadong Zhou & Weichang H, 2021. "The Welwitschia genome reveals a unique biology underpinning extreme longevity in deserts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24528-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24528-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Otto, Moritz & Wiehe, Thomas, 2023. "The structured coalescent in the context of gene copy number variation," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 67-78.
    2. Justine K. Kitony & Kelly Colt & Bradley W. Abramson & Nolan T. Hartwick & Semar Petrus & Emadeldin H. E. Konozy & Nisa Karimi & Levi Yant & Todd P. Michael, 2024. "Chromosome-level baobab genome illuminates its evolutionary trajectory and environmental adaptation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Heqiang Lou & Lili Song & Xiaolong Li & Hailing Zi & Weijie Chen & Yadi Gao & Shan Zheng & Zhangjun Fei & Xuepeng Sun & Jiasheng Wu, 2023. "The Torreya grandis genome illuminates the origin and evolution of gymnosperm-specific sciadonic acid biosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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