The origin of the Tibetan Mastiff and species identification of Canis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and COI barcoding

DNA barcoding is an effective technique to identify species and analyze phylogenesis and evolution. However, research on and application of DNA barcoding in Canis have not been carried out. In this study, we analyzed two species of Canis, Canis lupus (n = 115) and Canis latrans (n = 4), using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (1545 bp) and COI barcoding (648 bp DNA sequence of the COI gene). The results showed that the COI gene, as the moderate variant sequence, applied to the analysis of the phylogenesis of Canis members, and COI barcoding applied to species identification of Canis members. Phylogenetic trees and networks showed that domestic dogs had four maternal origins (A to D) and that the Tibetan Mastiff originated from Clade A; this result supports the theory of an East Asian origin of domestic dogs. Clustering analysis and networking revealed the presence of a closer relative between the Tibetan Mastiff and the Old English sheepdog, Newfoundland, Rottweiler and Saint Bernard, which confirms that many well-known large breed dogs in the world, such as the Old English sheepdog, may have the same blood lineage as that of the Tibetan Mastiff.     

Origin and phylogenetic analysis of Tibetan Mastiff based on the mitochondrial DNA sequence

At present, the Tibetan Mastiff is the oldest and most ferocious dog in the world. However, the origin of the Tibetan Mastiff and its Phylogenetic relationship with other large breed dogs such as Saint Bernard are unclear. In this study, the primers were designed according to the mitochondrial genome sequence of the domestic dog, and the 2,525 bp mitochondrial sequence, containing the whole sequence of Cytochrome b, tRNA-Thr, tRNA-Pro, and control region of the Tibetan Mastiff, was obtained. Using grey wolves and coyotes as outgroups, the Tibetan Mastiff and 12 breeds of domestic dogs were analyzed in phylogenesis. Tibetan Mastiff, domestic dog breeds, and grey wolves were clustered into a group and coyotes were clustered in a group separately. This indicated that the Tibetan Mastiff and the other domestic dogs originated from the grey wolf, and the Tibetan Mastiff belonged to Carnivora, Canidae, Canis, Canis lupus, Canis lupus familiaris on the animal taxonomy. In domestic dogs, the middle and small breed dogs were clustered at first; German Sheepdog, Swedish Elkhound, and Black Russian Terrier were clustered into one group, and the Tibetan Mastiff, Old English Sheepdog, Leonberger, and Saint Bernard were clustered in another group. This confirmed the viewpoint that many of the famous large breed dogs worldwide Such as Saint Bernard possibly had the blood lineage of the Tibetan Mastiff, based on the molecular data. According to the substitution rate, we concluded that the approximate divergence time between Tibetan Mastiff and grey wolf was 58,000 years before the present (YBP), and the approximate divergence time between other domestic dogs and grey wolf was 42,000 YBP, demonstrating that the time of origin of the Tibetan Mastiff was earlier than that of the other domestic dogs.     

Complete sequence of the Tibetan Mastiff mitochondrial genome and its phylogenetic relationship with other Canids ( Canis, Canidae)

In this study, the complete sequence of the Tibetan Mastiff mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) was determined, and the phylogenetic relationships between the Tibetan Mastiff and other species of Canidae were analyzed using the coyote (Canis latrans) as an outgroup. The complete nucleotide sequence of the Tibetan Mastiff mtDNA was 16 710 bp, and included 22 tRNA genes, 2S rRNA gene, 13 protein-coding genes and one non-coding region (D-loop region), which is similar to other mammalian mitochondrial genomes. The characteristics of the protein-coding genes, non-coding region, tRNA and rRNA genes among Canidae were analyzed in detail. Neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony trees of Canids constructed using 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes showed that as the coyotes and Tibetan wolves clustered together, so too did the gray wolves and domestic dogs, suggesting that the Tibetan Mastiff originated from the gray wolf as did other domestic dogs. Domestic dogs clustered into four clades, implying at least four maternal origins (A to D). The Tibetan Mastiff, which belongs to clade A, appears to be closely related to the Saint Bernard and the Old English Sheepdog.     

Strong heterozygote deficit in Tibetan Mastiff of China based on microsatellite loci

Tibetan Mastiff is one of the most archaic, ferocious and the largest dogs in the world. A total of 140 individuals from four geographically separated populations in China (Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai and Beijing) were sampled and genetic diversity was assessed using 10 microsatellite loci on eight different chromosomes. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 13. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities, polymorphism information content and allelic richness were 0.69, 0.79, 0.76 and 7.59, respectively, indicating relatively high genetic diversity in Tibetan Mastiff. However, a highly significant deficiency in heterozygote was observed within populations (mean FIS = 0.11, bootstrap 95% confidence interval (0.06, 0.17)) and total inbreeding (mean FIT = 0.12, bootstrap 95% confidence interval (0.06, 0.18)), along with strong inbreeding coefficients within populations (Fis > 0.09), all of which suggested that intense inbreeding practices occurred in Tibetan Mastiff. Therefore, effective and appropriate breeding management projects in present Tibetan Mastiff will be desirable and urgent. Low genetic differentiation was obtained with a mean FST of 0.01 (bootstrap 95% confidence interval (0.007, 0.019)). Additionally, the four Tibetan Mastiff populations showed close relationships in the neighbor-joining polygenetic tree based on the coancestral genetic distances. Tibetan Mastiff was investigated by using microsatellite loci at the first time, which could facilitate the better understanding of present situation at the molecular level, breed conservation and utilization in Tibetan Mastiff.     

Hypoxia Adaptations in the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Tibetan grey wolf (Canis lupus chanco) occupies habitats on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a high altitude (>3000 m) environment where low oxygen tension exerts unique selection pressure on individuals to adapt to hypoxic conditions. To identify genes involved in hypoxia adaptation, we generated complete genome sequences of nine Chinese wolves from high and low altitude populations at an average coverage of 25× coverage. We found that, beginning about 55,000 years ago, the highland Tibetan grey wolf suffered a more substantial population decline than lowland wolves. Positively selected hypoxia-related genes in highland wolves are enriched in the HIF signaling pathway (P = 1.57E-6), ATP binding (P = 5.62E-5), and response to an oxygen-containing compound (P≤5.30E-4). Of these positively selected hypoxia-related genes, three genes (EPAS1, ANGPT1, and RYR2) had at least one specific fixed non-synonymous SNP in highland wolves based on the nine genome data. Our re-sequencing studies on a large panel of individuals showed a frequency difference greater than 58% between highland and lowland wolves for these specific fixed non-synonymous SNPs and a high degree of LD surrounding the three genes, which imply strong selection. Past studies have shown that EPAS1 and ANGPT1 are important in the response to hypoxic stress, and RYR2 is involved in heart function. These three genes also exhibited significant signals of natural selection in high altitude human populations, which suggest similar evolutionary constraints on natural selection in wolves and humans of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.     

Genomic Analysis of Natural Selection and Phenotypic Variation in High-Altitude Mongolians

Deedu (DU) Mongolians, who migrated from the Mongolian steppes to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau approximately 500 years ago, are challenged by environmental conditions similar to native Tibetan highlanders. Identification of adaptive genetic factors in this population could provide insight into coordinated physiological responses to this environment. Here we examine genomic and phenotypic variation in this unique population and present the first complete analysis of a Mongolian whole-genome sequence. High-density SNP array data demonstrate that DU Mongolians share genetic ancestry with other Mongolian as well as Tibetan populations, specifically in genomic regions related with adaptation to high altitude. Several selection candidate genes identified in DU Mongolians are shared with other Asian groups (e.g., EDAR), neighboring Tibetan populations (including high-altitude candidates EPAS1, PKLR, and CYP2E1), as well as genes previously hypothesized to be associated with metabolic adaptation (e.g., PPARG). Hemoglobin concentration, a trait associated with high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans, is at an intermediate level in DU Mongolians compared to Tibetans and Han Chinese at comparable altitude. Whole-genome sequence from a DU Mongolian (Tianjiao1) shows that about 2% of the genomic variants, including more than 300 protein-coding changes, are specific to this individual. Our analyses of DU Mongolians and the first Mongolian genome provide valuable insight into genetic adaptation to extreme environments.     

Genomic Scan Reveals Loci under Altitude Adaptation in Tibetan and Dahe Pigs

High altitude environments are of particular interest in the studies of local adaptation as well as their implications in physiology and clinical medicine in human. Some Chinese pig breeds, such as Tibetan pig (TBP) that is well adapted to the high altitude and Dahe pig (DHP) that dwells at the moderate altitude, provide ideal materials to study local adaptation to altitudes. Yet, it is still short of in-depth analysis and understanding of the genetic adaptation to high altitude in the two pig populations. In this study we conducted a genomic scan for selective sweeps using F_ST to identify genes showing evidence of local adaptations in TBP and DHP, with Wuzhishan pig (WZSP) as the low-altitude reference. Totally, we identified 12 specific selective genes (CCBE1, F2RL1, AGGF1, ZFPM2, IL2, FGF5, PLA2G4A, ADAMTS9, NRBF2, JMJD1C, VEGFC and ADAM19) for TBP and six (OGG1, FOXM, FLT3, RTEL1, CRELD1 and RHOG) for DHP. In addition, six selective genes (VPS13A, GNA14, GDAP1, PARP8, FGF10 and ADAMTS16) were shared by the two pig breeds. Among these selective genes, three (VEGFC, FGF10 and ADAMTS9) were previously reported to be linked to the local adaptation to high altitudes in pigs, while many others were newly identified by this study. Further bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that majority of these selective signatures have some biological functions relevant to the altitude adaptation, for examples, response to hypoxia, development of blood vessels, DNA repair and several hematological involvements. These results suggest that the local adaptation to high altitude environments is sophisticated, involving numerous genes and multiple biological processes, and the shared selective signatures by the two pig breeds may provide an effective avenue to identify the common adaptive mechanisms to different altitudes.     

Defective Tibetan PHD2 Binding to p23 Links High Altitude Adaption to Altered Oxygen Sensing

The Tibetan population has adapted to the chronic hypoxia of high altitude. Tibetans bear a genetic signature in the prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2/EGLN1) gene, which encodes for the central oxygen sensor of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway. Recent studies have focused attention on two nonsynonymous coding region substitutions, D4E and C127S, both of which are markedly enriched in the Tibetan population. These amino acids reside in a region of PHD2 that harbors a zinc finger, which we have previously discovered binds to a Pro-Xaa-Leu-Glu (PXLE) motif in the HSP90 cochaperone p23, thereby recruiting PHD2 to the HSP90 pathway to facilitate HIF-α hydroxylation. We herein report that the Tibetan PHD2 haplotype (D4E/C127S) strikingly diminishes the interaction of PHD2 with p23, resulting in impaired PHD2 down-regulation of the HIF pathway. The defective binding to p23 depends on both the D4E and C127S substitutions. We also identify a PXLE motif in HSP90 itself that can mediate binding to PHD2 but find that this interaction is maintained with the D4E/C127S PHD2 haplotype. We propose that the Tibetan PHD2 variant is a loss of function (hypomorphic) allele, leading to augmented HIF activation to facilitate adaptation to high altitude.     

Identifying Signatures of Natural Selection in Tibetan and Andean Populations Using Dense Genome Scan Data

High-altitude hypoxia (reduced inspired oxygen tension due to decreased barometric pressure) exerts severe physiological stress on the human body. Two high-altitude regions where humans have lived for millennia are the Andean Altiplano and the Tibetan Plateau. Populations living in these regions exhibit unique circulatory, respiratory, and hematological adaptations to life at high altitude. Although these responses have been well characterized physiologically, their underlying genetic basis remains unknown. We performed a genome scan to identify genes showing evidence of adaptation to hypoxia. We looked across each chromosome to identify genomic regions with previously unknown function with respect to altitude phenotypes. In addition, groups of genes functioning in oxygen metabolism and sensing were examined to test the hypothesis that particular pathways have been involved in genetic adaptation to altitude. Applying four population genetic statistics commonly used for detecting signatures of natural selection, we identified selection-nominated candidate genes and gene regions in these two populations (Andeans and Tibetans) separately. The Tibetan and Andean patterns of genetic adaptation are largely distinct from one another, with both populations showing evidence of positive natural selection in different genes or gene regions. Interestingly, one gene previously known to be important in cellular oxygen sensing, EGLN1 (also known as PHD2), shows evidence of positive selection in both Tibetans and Andeans. However, the pattern of variation for this gene differs between the two populations. Our results indicate that several key HIF-regulatory and targeted genes are responsible for adaptation to high altitude in Andeans and Tibetans, and several different chromosomal regions are implicated in the putative response to selection. These data suggest a genetic role in high-altitude adaption and provide a basis for future genotype/phenotype association studies necessary to confirm the role of selection-nominated candidate genes and gene regions in adaptation to altitude.     

CDC5 Inhibits the Hyperphosphorylation of the Checkpoint Kinase Rad53, Leading to Checkpoint Adaptation

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae polo-like kinase Cdc5 promotes adaptation to the DNA damage checkpoint, in addition to its numerous roles in mitotic progression. The process of adaptation occurs when cells are presented with persistent or irreparable DNA damage and escape the cell-cycle arrest imposed by the DNA damage checkpoint. However, the precise mechanism of adaptation remains unknown. We report here that CDC5 is dose-dependent for adaptation and that its overexpression promotes faster adaptation, indicating that high levels of Cdc5 modulate the ability of the checkpoint to inhibit the downstream cell-cycle machinery. To pinpoint the step in the checkpoint pathway at which Cdc5 acts, we overexpressed CDC5 from the GAL1 promoter in damaged cells and examined key steps in checkpoint activation individually. Cdc5 overproduction appeared to have little effect on the early steps leading to Rad53 activation. The checkpoint sensors, Ddc1 (a member of the 9-1-1 complex) and Ddc2 (a member of the Ddc2/Mec1 complex), properly localized to damage sites. Mec1 appeared to be active, since the Rad9 adaptor retained its Mec1 phosphorylation. Moreover, the damage-induced interaction between phosphorylated Rad9 and Rad53 remained intact. In contrast, Rad53 hyperphosphorylation was significantly reduced, consistent with the observation that cell-cycle arrest is lost during adaptation. Thus, we conclude Cdc5 acts to attenuate the DNA damage checkpoint through loss of Rad53 hyperphosphorylation to allow cells to adapt to DNA damage. Polo-like kinase homologs have been shown to inhibit the ability of Claspin to facilitate the activation of downstream checkpoint kinases, suggesting that this function is conserved in vertebrates.     

Genetic adaptation to high altitude in the Ethiopian highlands

Background

Genomic analysis of high-altitude populations residing in the Andes and Tibet has revealed several candidate loci for involvement in high-altitude adaptation, a subset of which have also been shown to be associated with hemoglobin levels, including EPAS1, EGLN1, and PPARA, which play a role in the HIF-1 pathway. Here, we have extended this work to high- and low-altitude populations living in Ethiopia, for which we have measured hemoglobin levels. We genotyped the Illumina 1M SNP array and employed several genome-wide scans for selection and targeted association with hemoglobin levels to identify genes that play a role in adaptation to high altitude.

Results

We have identified a set of candidate genes for positive selection in our high-altitude population sample, demonstrated significantly different hemoglobin levels between high- and low-altitude Ethiopians and have identified a subset of candidate genes for selection, several of which also show suggestive associations with hemoglobin levels.

Conclusions

We highlight several candidate genes for involvement in high-altitude adaptation in Ethiopia, including CBARA1, VAV3, ARNT2 and THRB. Although most of these genes have not been identified in previous studies of high-altitude Tibetan or Andean population samples, two of these genes (THRB and ARNT2) play a role in the HIF-1 pathway, a pathway implicated in previous work reported in Tibetan and Andean studies. These combined results suggest that adaptation to high altitude arose independently due to convergent evolution in high-altitude Amhara populations in Ethiopia.     

Genomewide scan for adaptive differentiation along altitudinal gradient in the Andrew's toad Bufo andrewsi

Recent studies of humans, dogs and rodents have started to discover the genetic underpinnings of high altitude adaptations, yet amphibians have received little attention in this respect. To identify possible signatures of adaptation to altitude, we performed a genome scan of 15 557 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained with restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing of pooled samples from 11 populations of Andrew's toad (Bufo andrewsi) from the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, spanning an altitudinal gradient from 1690 to 2768 m.a.s.l. We discovered significant geographic differentiation among all sites, with an average F_ST = 0.023 across all SNPs. Apart from clear patterns of isolation by distance, we discovered numerous outlier SNPs showing strong associations with variation in altitude (1394 SNPs), average annual temperature (1859 SNPs) or both (1051 SNPs). Levels and patterns of genetic differentiation in these SNPs were consistent with the hypothesis that they have been subject to directional selection and reflect adaptation to altitudinal variation among the study sites. Genes with footprints of selection were significantly enriched in binding and metabolic processes. Several genes potentially related to high altitude adaptation were identified, although the identity and functional significance of most genomic targets of selection remain unknown. In general, the results provide genomic support for results of earlier common garden and low coverage genetic studies that have uncovered substantial adaptive differentiation along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients in amphibians.     

The genome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus aryabhattai</Emphasis> T61 reveals its adaptation to Tibetan Plateau environment

Tibetan Plateau is called ‘the Roof of the World’. Organisms survive there have to adapt to the high altitude environment. By shotgun method, we sequenced the genome of Bacillus aryabhattai T61, which inhabits in the soil at the altitude of 4123 m in Shigatse, Tibetan. Further, we explored the genomic basis for its adaptations to the plateau environment. The results showed that B. aryabhattai T61 has evolved an array of ROS defense systems and sporulation system for adaptations to the stresses caused by the plateau strong ultraviolet radiation, extreme oxygen limitation and low temperature. Specifically, B. aryabhattai T61 encodes the ResE–ResD two-component to sense the oxygen limitation and regulates COX15 for aerobic and anaerobic respiration. The two-component system DesK–DesR, which regulates the gene Des initiating the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, along with 33 temperature-shock proteins contribute to low temperature adaptation. With the comparative analysis, we deduced the novel gene cbiY may be involved in cobalamin biosynthesis. We also found that B. aryabhattai T61 may have novel regulatory mechanisms for sporulation initiation. B. aryabhattai T61 is the first Tibetan strain with high quality genome sequenced. The genome provides a paradigm for understanding the adaptations to the plateau environment in Bacteria kingdom.     

藏羚羊PGC-1α基因编码区的克隆与分析

以藏羚羊(Pantholops hodgsonii)及同海拔分布的藏系绵羊(Tibetan Sheep)的心肌组织为材料,提取总RNA,利用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术扩增出过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ辅激活因子-1α(PGC-1α)的基因编码区cDNA片段,与载体连接构建重组质粒,经转化、扩增培养、鉴定后测序。利用生物信息学方法分析显示,藏羚羊和藏系绵羊的PGC-1α基因编码区长度均为2 349 bp,编码797个氨基酸(GenBank登录号分别为:JF449959和JF449960);与其他脊椎动物PGC-1α基因的核苷酸及氨基酸序列相似性达到90%以上;其包含RNA/DNA结合位点、RNA识别基序(RRM)、与核呼吸因子1(NRF-1)及肌细胞增强因子2C(MEF2C)相互作用的区域、富含丝氨酸/精氨酸的结构域、负调节功能结构域、LXXLL模体以及TPPTTPP和DHDYCQ两个保守序列,14个氨基酸差异性位点位于以上部分功能结构域中;此外,磷酸化位点的预测提示藏羚羊可能存在一个潜在的蛋白激酶G的磷酸化位点(第329位的苏氨酸)。本研究成功克隆出了藏羚羊PGC-1α基因的编码区序列,为从能量代谢角度深入探讨藏羚羊适应高原的分子生物学机制提供了新的思路。     

Cdc5 blocks in vivo rad53 activity,but not in situ activity (ISA)

DNA damage promotes the activation of a signal transduction cascade referred to as the DNA damage checkpoint. This pathway initiates with the Mec1/ATR kinase, which then phosphorylates the Rad53/Chk2 kinase. Mec1 phosphorylation of Rad53 is then thought to promote Rad53 autophosphorylation, ultimately leading to a fully active Rad53 molecule that can go on to phosphorylate substrates important for DNA damage resistance. In the absence of DNA repair, this checkpoint is eventually downregulated in a Cdc5-dependent process referred to as checkpoint adaptation. Recently, we showed that overexpression of Cdc5 leads to checkpoint inactivation and loss of the strong electrophoretic shift associated with Rad53 inactivation. Interestingly, this same overexpression did not strongly inhibit Rad53 autophosphorylation activity as measured by the in situ assay (ISA). The ISA involves incubating the re-natured Rad53 protein with γ ³²P labeled ATP after electrophoresis and western blotting. Using a newly identified Rad53 target, we show that despite strong ISA activity, Rad53 does not maintain phosphorylation of this substrate. We hypothesize that, during adaptation, Rad53 may be in a unique state in which it maintains some Mec1 phosphorylation but does not have the auto-phosphorylations required for full activity towards exogenous substrates.Key words: DNA damage, checkpoint, adaptation, CDC5, RAD53, ISA     

Introgression,admixture, and selection facilitate genetic adaptation to high-altitude environments in cattle

Domestication and subsequent selection of cattle to form breeds and biological types that can adapt to different environments partitioned ancestral genetic diversity into distinct modern lineages. Genome-wide selection particularly for adaptation to extreme environments left detectable signatures genome-wide. We used high-density genotype data for 42 cattle breeds and identified the influence of Bos grunniens and Bos javanicus on the formation of Chinese indicine breeds that led to their divergence from India-origin zebu. We also found evidence for introgression, admixture, and migration in most of the Chinese breeds. Selection signature analyses between high-altitude (≥1800 m) and low-altitude adapted breeds (<1500 m) revealed candidate genes (ACSS2, ALDOC, EPAS1, EGLN1, NUCB2) and pathways that are putatively involved in hypoxia adaptation. Immunohistochemical, real-time PCR and CRISPR/cas9 ACSS2-knockout analyses suggest that the up-regulation of ACSS2 expression in the liver promotes the metabolic adaptation of cells to hypoxia via the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway. High altitude adaptation involved the introgression of alleles from high-altitude adapted yaks into Chinese Bos taurus taurus prior to their formation into recognized breeds and followed by selection. In addition to selection, adaptation to high altitude environments has been facilitated by admixture and introgression with locally adapted cattle populations.     

Altitudinal gradients,plant hybrid zones and evolutionary novelty

Altitudinal gradients are characterized by steep changes of the physical and biotic environment that present challenges to plant adaptation throughout large parts of the world. Hybrid zones may form where related species inhabit different neighbouring altitudes and can facilitate interspecific gene flow and potentially the breakdown of species barriers. Studies of such hybrid zones can reveal much about the genetic basis of adaptation to environmental differences stemming from changes in altitude and the maintenance of species divergence in the face of gene flow. Furthermore, owing to recombination and transgressive effects, such hybrid zones can be sources of evolutionary novelty. We document plant hybrid zones associated with altitudinal gradients and emphasize similarities and differences in their structure. We then focus on recent studies of a hybrid zone between two Senecio species that occur at high and low altitude on Mount Etna, Sicily, showing how adaptation to local environments and intrinsic selection against hybrids act to maintain it. Finally, we consider the potential of altitudinal hybrid zones for generating evolutionary novelty through adaptive introgression and hybrid speciation. Examples of homoploid hybrid species of Senecio and Pinus that originated from altitudinal hybrid zones are discussed.     

Chromosome‐level genome assembly of Triplophysa tibetana,a fish adapted to the harsh high‐altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau

Triplophysa is an endemic fish genus of the Tibetan Plateau in China. Triplophysa tibetana, which lives at a recorded altitude of ~4,000 m and plays an important role in the highland aquatic ecosystem, serves as an excellent model for investigating high‐altitude environmental adaptation. However, evolutionary and conservation studies of T. tibetana have been limited by scarce genomic resources for the genus Triplophysa. In the present study, we applied PacBio sequencing and the Hi‐C technique to assemble the T. tibetana genome. A 652‐Mb genome with 1,325 contigs with an N50 length of 3.1 Mb was obtained. The 1,137 contigs were further assembled into 25 chromosomes, representing 98.7% and 80.47% of all contigs at the base and sequence number level, respectively. Approximately 260 Mb of sequence, accounting for ~39.8% of the genome, was identified as repetitive elements. DNA transposons (16.3%), long interspersed nuclear elements (12.4%) and long terminal repeats (11.0%) were the most repetitive types. In total, 24,372 protein‐coding genes were predicted in the genome, and ~95% of the genes were functionally annotated via a search in public databases. Using whole genome sequence information, we found that T. tibetana diverged from its common ancestor with Danio rerio ~121.4 million years ago. The high‐quality genome assembled in this work not only provides a valuable genomic resource for future population and conservation studies of T. tibetana, but it also lays a solid foundation for further investigation into the mechanisms of environmental adaptation of endemic fishes in the Tibetan Plateau.     

不同海拔地区藏族就诊人群血脂、血液黏度、HCY水平与心血管疾病的相关性研究

目的:探讨不同海拔地区藏族就诊人群血脂、血液黏度、HCY水平与心血管疾病的相关性。方法:采用回顾性分析的方法,将328例来自不同海拔地区的藏族就诊患者为三组,高海拔组(纳入99例),中海拔(纳入120例)和低海拔组(纳入109例),比较不同海拔高度组患者血压、血脂、血液黏度、HCY、疾病类型的差异,采用多元Logistic回归模型分析藏族就诊人群心血管疾病发病的影响因素。结果:不同海拔组收缩压、舒张压、血清HCY、TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C水平、全血黏度低切、中切、高切、血浆黏度和红细胞压积比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),随着海拔升高,收缩压、舒张压、血清HCY、TC、TG以及LDL-C、全血黏度低切、中切、高切、血浆黏度和红细胞压积水平显著升高(P0.05),而血清HDL-C水平显著下降。41.8%(137/328)的就诊者至少患有一种心血管疾病,和非心血管组比较,心血管疾病组年龄明显偏高,居住主要分布在中度及高度海拔地区,合并高血糖、高血脂、高HCY的比例均明显较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。年龄、海拔、高血糖、高血脂、高HCY均和心血管疾病相关(r=-0.230~0.334,P0.05)。多元Logistic回归分析显示年龄、居住地海拔、HCY水平、全血低切粘度、TG水平、LDL-C等因素是心血管疾病发生的危险因素,HDL-C是保护因素。结论:来自不同海拔地区的就诊人群在血压、血脂、血液黏度、HCY水平以及心血管疾病患者占比不同。年龄、居住地海拔、HCY水平、血液黏度、血脂水平等增加可能使高原藏族人群心血管疾病发生风险增加。