Recently, the Agricultural Genomics Innovation Team at the Shenzhen Institute of Agricultural Genomics, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, unveiled the first complete genome of Ficus virens, a species within the Ficus genus. This release corrects numerous gaps and assembly errors present in the original genome, significantly enhancing the continuity, integrity, and accuracy of the Ficus virens genome. The research findings were published in Horticulture Research.
Ficus virens. Image provided by the Institute of Agricultural Genomics, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Ficus, the collective term for over 800 species of plants in the Moraceae family, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Within the Ficus genus, there are 6 subgenera, including 2 subgenera with monoecious plants (bearing both male and female flowers on the same individual) and 4 subgenera primarily consisting of dioecious plants (separate male and female individuals). Ficus virens, belonging to the subgenus Urostigma, is a typical dioecious species. Studying Ficus virens can provide insights into the gender evolution mechanisms of Ficus trees.
The fruit of the Ficus virens. Image provided by the Institute of Agricultural Genomics, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Named for its leaves typically arranged in opposite pairs along the branches, the Ficus virens is known as the opposite-leaved fig. Understanding its genome is crucial for dissecting biological traits and gene functions. However, the original genome contained abundant missing information and assembly errors, hindering further research.
A research team utilized multiple sequencing technologies to reassemble and enhance the original genome, releasing the first complete genome of the Ficus virens from telomere to telomere. This genome, sized at 371.8 megabases, is assembled onto 14 chromosomes, with 26,642 protein-coding genes successfully annotated.
The genome completeness reached 98.7%, significantly improving continuity and accuracy. Building upon this, the study constructed gene regulatory networks at different developmental stages of male and female flowers, identifying key genes involved in male flower development, thus providing valuable resources for studying essential features and gender determination in Ficus species.
This research received support from the National Natural Science Foundation and other projects.
For more information, see the related paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhad257.
