Comparing Plant DNA and Family Tree of Oreomecon nudicaulis in the Poppy Family

Jim Crocker
31st May, 2024

Comparing Plant DNA and Family Tree of Oreomecon nudicaulis in the Poppy Family

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Nanjing Police University sequenced the chloroplast genome of Oreomecon nudicaulis
  • The genome has a typical circular structure with 153,903 base pairs and contains 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes
  • Phylogenetic analysis shows O. nudicaulis is closely related to the genus Meconopsis, supporting its reclassification from Papaver
Oreomecon nudicaulis, commonly known as mountain poppy, has recently been reclassified from the genus Papaver to the genus Oreomecon. This reclassification necessitated a deeper investigation into its phylogenetic status and chloroplast genome. In a study conducted by Nanjing Police University, researchers sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis using Illumina sequencing technology[1]. The chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis exhibits a typical circular quadripartite structure, spanning 153,903 base pairs (bp) with a GC content of 38.87%. It contains 84 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 2 pseudogenes. The genome encodes 25,815 codons, with leucine (Leu) being the most abundant, and the AUU codon being the most frequently used. Additionally, 129 microsatellite markers were identified, with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant at 53.49%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. nudicaulis has a relatively close relationship with the genus Meconopsis within the Papaveraceae family. This finding is consistent with the revised taxonomy of Papaveraceae, as O. nudicaulis did not form a clade with other Papaver species. This study builds on prior research that has explored the phylogenetic relationships within the Papaveraceae family. A previous study[2] used molecular data sets to analyze sequences from nuclear ribosomal DNA and plastid DNA, revealing that the genus Papaver is not monophyletic unless closely related genera such as Roemeria, Stylomecon, and Meconopsis are included. The findings from the current study align with this earlier research, further supporting the reclassification of O. nudicaulis and its close relationship with Meconopsis. Furthermore, the study of the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis provides valuable genetic information that can be used for research on genetic diversity, molecular marker development, and species identification within Papaveraceae. This is particularly significant given the high variability in plastid genome size and structure observed in previous studies of Papaveraceae[3]. The comprehensive comparison of plastomes from various Papaveraceae species revealed a range of genome sizes and structural variations, particularly in the subfamilies Fumarioideae and Hypecooideae. The relatively conserved plastome of O. nudicaulis, as observed in this study, contributes to our understanding of plastome evolution in Papaveraceae. In summary, the sequencing and analysis of the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis by Nanjing Police University provide a theoretical basis for further research on genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within Papaveraceae. The study supports the revised taxonomy of Papaveraceae and enriches our understanding of the genetic and evolutionary dynamics of this important plant family.

GeneticsPlant ScienceEvolution

References

Main Study

1) Comparative chloroplast genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Oreomecon nudicaulis (Papaveraceae)

Published 30th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-024-01236-8

Related Studies

2) Phylogenetics of Papaver and related genera based on DNA sequences from ITS nuclear ribosomal DNA and plastid trnL intron and trnL-F intergenic spacers.

Journal: Annals of botany, Issue: Vol 98, Issue 1, Jul 2006

3) Extreme Reconfiguration of Plastid Genomes in Papaveraceae: Rearrangements, Gene Loss, Pseudogenization, IR Expansion, and Repeats.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042278


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