Evolutionary analysis identifies multiple genome expansions and contractions in Sepsidae (Diptera) and suggests targets for future genomic research

We here argue that data from comparative studies of genome size and karyotypes provide important information for planning comparative research on genome evolution. We document for 39 species of sepsids that there is a four‐fold difference in genome size (151–618 Mbp). Mapping genome sizes onto a phylogenetic hypothesis identifies that this range is the result of five genome expansions and four genome contractions that we here define as changes in genome size of more than 50 Mbp. We then generate karyotype data for 10 species and find no changes in chromosome number. The study reveals that the “Oriental” clade of sepsids is a promising system for studying genome evolution because it has experienced three genome expansion events. These events can be compared with an expansion in the “Neotropical” clade in order to reveal the mechanisms that underlie genome expansion in Sepsidae. A review of the literature on genome sizes and karyotypes reveals that they have been poorly documented in Metazoa. This means that researchers interested in the evolution of genome expansions and contractions are currently not being able to identify appropriate target taxa for genome sequencing. We thus argue for more comparative research on genome sizes and karyotypes and point out that historically species were chosen for genome sequencing for reasons not related to genome evolution (e.g. small genome size, model species status, phylogenetic position, interesting phenotypes). We believe that it is now time to use a more genome‐centric selection criterion, where species for whole genome sequencing are selected based on their importance for understanding genome evolution.     

A mitochondrial genome with a reversed transmission route in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Species of the marine mussel genus Mytilus are known to contain two mitochondrial genomes, one transmitted maternally (the F genome) and the other paternally (the M genome). The two genomes have diverged by more than 20% in DNA sequence. Here we present the complete sequence of a third genome, genome C, which we found in the sperm of a Mytilus galloprovincialis male. The coding part of the new genome resembles in sequence the F genome, from which it differs by about 2% on average, but differs from the M genome by as much as the F from the M. Its major control region (CR) is more than three times larger than that of the F or the M genome and consists of repeated sequence domains of the CR of the M genome flanked by domains of the CR of the F genome. We present a sequence of events that reconstruct most parsimoniously the derivation of the C genome from the F and M genomes. The sequence consists of a duplication of CR elements of the M genome and subsequent insertion of these tandemly repeated elements in the F genome by recombination. The fact that the C genome was found as the only mitochondrial genome in the sperm of the male from which it was extracted suggests that it is transmitted paternally.     

trans-dominant inhibition of human hepatitis delta virus genome replication.

Infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an important cause of acute and chronic liver disease and can be rapidly fatal. Sequencing of the HDV RNA genome has revealed variability at the C-terminal end of the delta antigen reading frame. One genome type (termed the S genome) synthesizes a 24-kDa protein thought to be required for genome replication. Another genome type (termed the L genome) extends the reading frame by 19 amino acids as a result of a single base change. Replication of the S and L genomes was studied in cultured fibroblasts. While the S genome efficiently initiated genome replication, the L genome did not. Moreover, in a codelivery experiment, L genome RNA inhibited replication of the S genome. Potent trans inhibition was also observed following cotransfection of the S genome and a plasmid encoding the larger delta antigen. Mutational analysis indicated that the inhibitory activity was not a simple function of the large delta antigen reading frame's extra length. Implications for the viral life cycle, clinical infection, and potential treatment are discussed.     

Reshuffling of the Bacillus subtilis 168 genome by multifold inversion

The genome of Bacillus subtilis 168 was modified to yield a genome vector for the cloning of DNA several Mb in size. Unlike contemporary plasmid-based vectors, this 4.2 Mb genome vector requires specific in vivo handling protocols because of its large size. Inversion mutagenesis, a method to modify local genome structure without gain or loss of genes, was applied intensively to the B. subtilis genome; this technique made possible both exchange and translocation of designated regions of the genome. This method not only reshuffles the genome of B. subtilis, but can provide insight into the biologic principles underlying genome plasticity.     

Whole genome engineering by synthesis

Whole genome engineering is now feasible with the aid of genome editing and synthesis tools. Synthesizing a genome from scratch allows modifications of the genomic structure and function to an extent that was hitherto not possible, which will finally lead to new insights into the basic principles of life and enable valuable applications. With several recent genome synthesis projects as examples, the technical details to synthesize a genome and applications of synthetic genome are addressed in this perspective. A series of ongoing or future synthetic genomics projects, including the different genomes to be synthesized in GP-write, synthetic minimal genome, massively recoded genome, chimeric genome and synthetic genome with expanded genetic alphabet, are also discussed here with a special focus on theoretical and technical impediments in the design and synthesis process. Synthetic genomics will become a commonplace to engineer pathways and genomes according to arbitrary sets of design principles with the development of high-efficient, low-cost genome synthesis and assembly technologies.     

杨树基因组中染色体基因丰度分化及EST序列对基因覆盖度的检测(英文)

高等植物基因组中,大部分序列为非表达序列,基因序列所占的比例很小,了解基因在基因组中的分布是研究基因组结构的一个重要方面。在美国能源部资助下,一个毛果杨无性系的基因组测序已经完成并对公众发布。杨树全基因组序列的完成,为我们了解林木基因组中基因的分布提供了一个特例。在本文中,我们利用泊松分析对杨树基因组中基因在各个染色体上的密度进行了检测,结果表明杨树基因组中各条染色体的基因含量存在显著差异。杨树全基因组测序项目揭示现代杨树基因组起源于一次古全基因组复制事件(称为杨柳科基因组复制),所以杨树基因组不同染色体间存在很大的同源复制片段。但是我们的研究显示,杨树基因组中大多数高度同源的染色体上基因的密度与染色体间的同源性没有明显关系,这说明杨柳科全基因组复制事件后,各个高度同源染色体上的基因发生了流失,且基因流失的速率是不一样的。同时本文还对近九万条毛果杨EST序列进行了比对分析,结果显示这些EST序列覆盖的基因仅占杨树基因组中基因总数的16.8%左右。EST测序虽然是发现基因的一个重要手段,但小规模EST测序对基因的覆盖度很低,所以小规模EST测序的应用价值是有限的。     

小麦及其近缘种中基因组特异性DNA重复序列的研究进展

本文对小麦族植物中基因组特异性DNA重复序列的分类、基本特征、分离和鉴定方法、在小麦遗传改良中的应用以及未来研究的发展趋势进行了简述。综合已有的研究结果可以看出基因组特异性DNA重复序列是小麦族植物基因组特异性形成的重要构成部分。对基因组特异性DNA重复序列的研究是认识小麦族植物基因组的有效途径之一,基因组特异性DNA重复序列的应用将进一步促进小麦族植物分子细胞遗传学和普通小麦遗传改良研究的进展。 Advances in Studies of Genome-Specific Repetitive DNA Sequences in Wheat and Related Species BAI Jian-rong1,2,JIA Xu1,WANG Dao-wen1 1.The State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering,Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology,The Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100101,China; 2.Crop Genetics Institute,Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Taiyuan 030031,China Abstract:In this paper we review recent advances in studies of several aspects of genome specific repetitive DNA sequences in wheat and related species.The available results demonstrate that genome specific repetitive DNA sequences are important components of genome specificity in wheat and related species.Research on genome specific repetitive DNA sequences is essential to the elucidation of genome function.The application of genome specific repetitive DNA sequences will aid molecular cytogenetic studies in wheat and related species and contributes to genetic improvement of common wheat. Key words：wheat;genome specific repetitive DNA sequence;chromosome     

鸡基因组研究进展

随着人类基因组计划实施而开展的动物基因组计划受到了科学界和各国政府的支持. 无论是作为一种实验用模式生物,还是作为一种农业经济动物,鸡都有着独特的生物学特性和经济学价值,因此,开展鸡基因组研究是十分有意义的. 综述了近年来鸡基因组研究（包括鸡基因组的有关参数、遗传连锁图、物理图谱、比较定位、表达序列标签和数量性状座位定位等方面）所取得的成就并对其前景进行了讨论.     

Genome size of 14 species of fireflies (Insecta,Coleoptera, Lampyridae)

Eukaryotic genome size data are important both as the basis for comparative research into genome evolution and as estimators of the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms.In this study,the genome size of 14 species of fireflies (Lampyridae) (two genera in Lampyrinae,three genera in Luciolinae,and one genus in subfamily incertae sedis) were estimated by propidium iodide (PI)-based flow cytometry.The haploid genome sizes of Lampyridae ranged from 0.42 to 1.31 pg,a 3.1-fold span.Genome sizes of the fireflies varied within the tested subfamilies and genera.Lamprigera and Pyrocoelia species had large and small genome sizes,respectively.No correlation was found between genome size and morphological traits such as body length,body width,eye width,and antennal length.Our data provide additional information on genome size estimation of the firefly family Lampyridae.Furthermore,this study will help clarify the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms and will help promote studies on firefly genome evolution.     

Whole genome sequencing and its applications in medical genetics

Fundamental improvement was made for genome sequencing since the next-generation sequencing (NGS) came out in the 2000s. The newer technologies make use of the power of massively-parallel short-read DNA sequencing, genome alignment and assembly methods to digitally and rapidly search the genomes on a revolutionary scale, which enable large-scale whole genome sequencing (WGS) accessible and practical for researchers. Nowadays, whole genome sequencing is more and more prevalent in detecting the genetics of diseases, studying causative relations with cancers, making genome-level comparative analysis, reconstruction of human population history, and giving clinical implications and instructions. In this review, we first give a typical pipeline of whole genome sequencing, including the lab template preparation, sequencing, genome assembling and quality control, variants calling and annotations. We compare the difference between whole genome and whole exome sequencing (WES), and explore a wide range of applications of whole genome sequencing for both mendelian diseases and complex diseases in medical genetics. We highlight the impact of whole genome sequencing in cancer studies, regulatory variant analysis, predictive medicine and precision medicine, as well as discuss the challenges of the whole genome sequencing.      

The ups and downs of genome size evolution in polyploid species of Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

BACKGROUND: In studies looking at individual polyploid species, the most common patterns of genomic change are that either genome size in the polyploid is additive (i.e. the sum of parental genome donors) or there is evidence of genome downsizing. Reports showing an increase in genome size are rare. In a large-scale analysis of 3008 species, genome downsizing was shown to be a widespread biological response to polyploidy. Polyploidy in the genus Nicotiana (Solanaceae) is common with approx. 40 % of the approx. 75 species being allotetraploid. Recent advances in understanding phylogenetic relationships of Nicotiana species and dating polyploid formation enable a temporal dimension to be added to the analysis of genome size evolution in these polyploids. METHODS: Genome sizes were measured in 18 species of Nicotiana (nine diploids and nine polyploids) ranging in age from <200,000 years to approx. 4.5 Myr old, to determine the direction and extent of genome size change following polyploidy. These data were combined with data from genomic in situ hybridization and increasing amounts of information on sequence composition in Nicotiana to provide insights into the molecular basis of genome size changes. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: By comparing the expected genome size of the polyploid (based on summing the genome size of species identified as either a parent or most closely related to the diploid progenitors) with the observed genome size, four polyploids showed genome downsizing and five showed increases. There was no discernable pattern in the direction of genome size change with age of polyploids, although with increasing age the amount of genome size change increased. In older polyploids (approx. 4.5 million years old) the increase in genome size was associated with loss of detectable genomic in situ hybridization signal, whereas some hybridization signal was still detected in species exhibiting genome downsizing. The possible significance of these results is discussed.     

Repetitive DNA variation and pivotal-differential evolution of wild wheats.

Several polyploid species in the genus Triticum contain a U genome derived from the diploid T. umbellulatum. In these species, the U genome is considered to be unmodified from the diploid based on chromosome pairing analysis, and it is referred to as pivotal. The additional genome(s) are considered to be modified, and they are thus referred to as differential genomes. The M genome derived from the diploid T. comosum is found in many U genome polyploids. In this study, we cloned three repetitive DNA sequences found primarily in the U genome and two repetitive DNA sequences found primarily in the M genome. We used these to monitor variation for these sequences in a large set of species containing U and M genomes. Investigation of sympatric and allopatric accessions of polyploid species did not show repetitive DNA similarities among sympatric species. This result does not support the idea that the polyploid species are continually exchanging genetic information through introgression. However, it is also possible that repetitive DNA is not a suitable means of addressing the question of introgression. The U genomes of both diploid and polyploid U genome species were similar regarding hybridization patterns observed with U genome probes. Much more variation was found both among diploid T. comosum accessions and polyploids containing M genomes. The observed variation supports the cytogenetic evidence that the M genome is more variable than the U genome. It also raises the possibility that the differential nature of the M genome may be due to variation within the diploid T. comosum, as well as among polyploid M genome species and accessions.     

应用两种基因组快速扩增方法进行病毒芯片杂交鉴定

为了摸索均衡的病毒基因组扩增方法,建立高通量的病毒检测基因芯片技术平台,本研究以甲病毒属的辛德比斯病毒作为检测模型,分别以随机PCR扩增法和MDA( Multiple Displacement Amplification)扩增法扩增病毒基因组,并以两种扩增产物作为模板,扩增辛德比斯病毒的特异基因片段以验证基因组扩增的均衡性;然后将两种基因组扩增产物标记荧光染料后与基因芯片进行杂交;结果表明从两种基因组扩增产物中正确扩增出了辛德比斯的特定基因片段,作为探针可与基因芯片上的靶标基因特异性结合;基因组扩增产物与基因芯片进行杂交,可成功检测到甲病毒属的特异性信号,充分说明随机PCR扩增法和MDA扩增法用于扩增病毒基因组均具有良好的均衡性,扩增产物可用于病毒性病原体的基因芯片检测。     

Theoretical and practical advances in genome halving

MOTIVATION: Duplication of an organism's entire genome is a rare but spectacular event, enabling the rapid emergence of multiple new gene functions. Over time, the parallel linkage of duplicated genes across chromosomes may be disrupted by reciprocal translocations, while the intra-chromosomal order of genes may be shuffled by inversions and transpositions. Some duplicate genes may evolve unrecognizably or be deleted. As a consequence, the only detectable signature of an ancient duplication event in a modern genome may be the presence of various chromosomal segments containing parallel paralogous genes, with each segment appearing exactly twice in the genome. The problem of reconstructing the linkage structure of an ancestral genome before duplication is known as genome halving with unordered chromosomes. RESULTS: In this paper, we derive a new upper bound on the genome halving distance that is tighter than the best known, and a new lower bound that is almost always tighter than the best known. We also define the notion of genome halving diameter, and obtain both upper and lower bounds for it. Our tighter bounds on genome halving distance yield a new algorithm for reconstructing an ancestral duplicated genome. We create a software package GenomeHalving based on this new algorithm and test it on the yeast genome, identifying a sequence of translocations for halving the yeast genome that is shorter than previously conjectured possible.     

Targeting Ascomycota genomes: what and how big?

Gap analysis of the available genomic data (i.e. identifying taxonomic groups with no representative genome assemblies) is a fundamental first step to design effective sampling strategies for whole genome sequencing (WGS) initiatives. We identified the significant holes that remain in genomic resources of the Ascomycota – the largest fungal phylum including many species of medicinal, ecological and/or economic significance – in order to prioritise WGS efforts towards reconstructing the Ascomycota tree of life. In doing so, we additionally looked at the existing genome size data for ascomycetes, given the importance of knowing the size of the genome to ensure sufficient sequencing coverage and assess the completeness and quality of genome assemblies. We found that 50 % of the ascomycete orders have no representative genome assembly and over 75 % have no reliably measured genome size data. We propose that integrating routine cytometric genome size measurements into WGS and genome assembly pipelines will provide both a valuable assembly quality metric and contribute data for addressing fundamental evolutionary questions.     

Size is not everything: rates of genome size evolution,not C-value,correlate with speciation in angiosperms

Angiosperms represent one of the key examples of evolutionary success, and their diversity dwarfs other land plants; this success has been linked, in part, to genome size and phenomena such as whole genome duplication events. However, while angiosperms exhibit a remarkable breadth of genome size, evidence linking overall genome size to diversity is equivocal, at best. Here, we show that the rates of speciation and genome size evolution are tightly correlated across land plants, and angiosperms show the highest rates for both, whereas very slow rates are seen in their comparatively species-poor sister group, the gymnosperms. No evidence is found linking overall genome size and rates of speciation. Within angiosperms, both the monocots and eudicots show the highest rates of speciation and genome size evolution, and these data suggest a potential explanation for the megadiversity of angiosperms. It is difficult to associate high rates of diversification with different types of polyploidy, but it is likely that high rates of evolution correlate with a smaller genome size after genome duplications. The diversity of angiosperms may, in part, be due to an ability to increase evolvability by benefiting from whole genome duplications, transposable elements and general genome plasticity.     

Random distribution pattern and non-adaptivity of genome size in a highly variable population of Festuca pallens

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The spatial and statistical distribution of genome sizes and the adaptivity of genome size to some types of habitat, vegetation or microclimatic conditions were investigated in a tetraploid population of Festuca pallens. The population was previously documented to vary highly in genome size and is assumed as a model for the study of the initial stages of genome size differentiation. METHODS: Using DAPI flow cytometry, samples were measured repeatedly with diploid Festuca pallens as the internal standard. Altogether 172 plants from 57 plots (2.25 m(2)), distributed in contrasting habitats over the whole locality in South Moravia, Czech Republic, were sampled. The differences in DNA content were confirmed by the double peaks of simultaneously measured samples. KEY RESULTS: At maximum, a 1.115-fold difference in genome size was observed. The statistical distribution of genome sizes was found to be continuous and best fits the extreme (Gumbel) distribution with rare occurrences of extremely large genomes (positive-skewed), as it is similar for the log-normal distribution of the whole Angiosperms. Even plants from the same plot frequently varied considerably in genome size and the spatial distribution of genome sizes was generally random and unautocorrelated (P > 0.05). The observed spatial pattern and the overall lack of correlations of genome size with recognized vegetation types or microclimatic conditions indicate the absence of ecological adaptivity of genome size in the studied population. CONCLUSIONS: These experimental data on intraspecific genome size variability in Festuca pallens argue for the absence of natural selection and the selective non-significance of genome size in the initial stages of genome size differentiation, and corroborate the current hypothetical model of genome size evolution in Angiosperms (Bennetzen et al., 2005, Annals of Botany 95: 127-132).     

Characterization of the genome of the murine papovavirus K.

The DNA genome of the murine papovavirus K virus (KV) was characterized and compared with the genome of polyoma virus. A physical map of the KV genome was constructed by analysis of the size of DNA fragments generated by sequential cleavage with combinations of restriction endonucleases. By using one of the three EcoRI sites in the KV genome as the 0 map position, the KV physical map was then oriented to the polyoma virus genome. Of 42 restriction sites mapped within the KV genome, 7 were localized within 0.01 map unit of their respective sites in the polyoma virus genome; an eighth site mapped within 0.02 map unit. KV replication was examined and found to be bidirectional, initiating at approximately 0.70 map unit. This corresponds well to the origin of replication within the polyoma virus genome and further supports the orientation of the KV physical map.     

Comparative genome assembly

One of the most complex and computationally intensive tasks of genome sequence analysis is genome assembly. Even today, few centres have the resources, in both software and hardware, to assemble a genome from the thousands or millions of individual sequences generated in a whole-genome shotgun sequencing project. With the rapid growth in the number of sequenced genomes has come an increase in the number of organisms for which two or more closely related species have been sequenced. This has created the possibility of building a comparative genome assembly algorithm, which can assemble a newly sequenced genome by mapping it onto a reference genome. We describe here a novel algorithm for comparative genome assembly that can accurately assemble a typical bacterial genome in less than four minutes on a standard desktop computer. The software is available as part of the open-source AMOS project.