Dataset Information

Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses.

ABSTRACT: Ferns are the closest sister group to all seed plants, yet little is known about their genomes other than that they are generally colossal. Here, we report on the genomes of Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata (Salviniales) and present evidence for episodic whole-genome duplication in ferns-one at the base of 'core leptosporangiates' and one specific to Azolla. One fern-specific gene that we identified, recently shown to confer high insect resistance, seems to have been derived from bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. Azolla coexists in a unique symbiosis with N2-fixing cyanobacteria, and we demonstrate a clear pattern of cospeciation between the two partners. Furthermore, the Azolla genome lacks genes that are common to arbuscular mycorrhizal and root nodule symbioses, and we identify several putative transporter genes specific to Azolla-cyanobacterial symbiosis. These genomic resources will help in exploring the biotechnological potential of Azolla and address fundamental questions in the evolution of plant life.

SUBMITTER: Li FW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6786969 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses.

Li Fay-Wei FW Brouwer Paul P Carretero-Paulet Lorenzo L Cheng Shifeng S de Vries Jan J Delaux Pierre-Marc PM Eily Ariana A Koppers Nils N Kuo Li-Yaung LY Li Zheng Z Simenc Mathew M Small Ian I Wafula Eric E Angarita Stephany S Barker Michael S MS Bräutigam Andrea A dePamphilis Claude C Gould Sven S Hosmani Prashant S PS Huang Yao-Moan YM Huettel Bruno B Kato Yoichiro Y Liu Xin X Maere Steven S McDowell Rose R Mueller Lukas A LA Nierop Klaas G J KGJ Rensing Stefan A SA Robison Tanner T Rothfels Carl J CJ Sigel Erin M EM Song Yue Y Timilsena Prakash R PR Van de Peer Yves Y Wang Hongli H Wilhelmsson Per K I PKI Wolf Paul G PG Xu Xun X Der Joshua P JP Schluepmann Henriette H Wong Gane K-S GK Pryer Kathleen M KM

Nature plants 20180702 7

Ferns are the closest sister group to all seed plants, yet little is known about their genomes other than that they are generally colossal. Here, we report on the genomes of Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata (Salviniales) and present evidence for episodic whole-genome duplication in ferns-one at the base of 'core leptosporangiates' and one specific to Azolla. One fern-specific gene that we identified, recently shown to confer high insect resistance, seems to have been derived from bacte ...[more]

PMID: 29967517

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Dataset Information

Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses.

Publications

Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses.

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