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Research team achieves the world's first high-quality cyclamen genome assembly
Providing new insights into flower evolution and accelerating the breeding of new cultivars
Abstract
Researchers at the Kazusa DNA Research Institute (Director: Kenta Shirasawa), in collaboration with Saitama Institute of Technology, Kyushu University, and Kagawa University, have generated a high-quality reference genome for cyclamen, providing a foundation for future breeding and genomic research. The team successfully identified more than 40,000 genes in the species.
Cyclamen is a highly popular ornamental plant with diverse flower colors and forms. However, the large and complex genomes of cyclamen cultivars have delayed the establishment of a high-quality reference genome, an essential resource for plant breeding and genomic research.
In this study, the researchers employed state-of-the-art genome sequencing and analytical technologies to successfully generate the first high-quality genome assembly of Cyclamen persicum, the ancestral species of modern cyclamen cultivars. The assembled genome spans approximately 1.48 billion base pairs and covers 98.1% of the entire genome. A total of 40,223 genes were identified.
The analysis revealed gene groups unique to cyclamen as well as gene groups shared among members of the primrose family (Primulaceae), providing important clues for understanding plant evolution.
The newly established high-quality genomic resource is expected to facilitate the identification and characterization of genes involved in important horticultural traits, including flower shape, color, fragrance, and tuber development.
By integrating this high-quality reference genome with existing research data, researchers expect to accelerate gene function analyses and the development of new cultivars, ultimately facilitating the efficient breeding of more attractive and resilient cyclamen cultivars.
Researcher's Comment
Cyclamen has been cultivated in Europe since the 17th century and was introduced into Japan in the 19th century. Today, it is cultivated and enjoyed throughout Japan as one of the country's most iconic potted flowering plants. I am deeply honored to have contributed to the establishment of a high-quality reference genome for cyclamen, a plant with a long cultivation history and great importance to the floriculture industry. Moving forward, I hope to utilize this genomic data to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the expression of the diverse traits exhibited by cultivars. (Yuki Mizunoe)
Publication Information
Title: A highly contiguous genome assembly of Cyclamen persicum to accelerate functional genomics and breeding
Journal: DNA Research
DOI：10.1093/dnares/dsag015
Authors: Kenta Shirasawa, Yusuke Akita, Yuki Mizunoe, Takejiro Takamura
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