Evolution of a Record-Setting AT-Rich Genome: Indel Mutation, Recombination, and Substitution Bias.
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ABSTRACT: Genome-wide nucleotide composition varies widely among species. Despite extensive research, the source of genome-wide nucleotide composition diversity remains elusive. Yeast mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are highly A?+?T rich, and they provide a unique opportunity to study the evolution of AT-biased landscape. In this study, we sequenced ten complete mitogenomes of the Saccharomycodes ludwigii yeast with 8% G?+?C content, the lowest genome-wide %(G?+?C) in all published genomes to date. The S. ludwigii mitogenomes have high densities of short tandem repeats but severely underrepresented mononucleotide repeats. Comparative population genomics of these record-setting A?+?T-rich genomes shows dynamic indel mutations and strong mutation bias toward A/T. Indel mutations play a greater role in genomic variation among very closely related strains than nucleotide substitutions. Indels have resulted in presence-absence polymorphism of tRNAArg (ACG) among S. ludwigii mitogenomes. Interestingly, these mitogenomes have undergone recombination, a genetic process that can increase G?+?C content by GC-biased gene conversion. Finally, the expected equilibrium G?+?C content under mutation pressure alone is higher than observed G?+?C content, suggesting existence of mechanisms other than AT-biased mutation operating to increase A/T. Together, our findings shed new lights on mechanisms driving extremely AT-rich genomes.
SUBMITTER: Nguyen DT
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7846184 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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