Understanding the Genetic Blueprint and RNA Editing of Perilla Plants

Jim Crocker
18th June, 2024

Understanding the Genetic Blueprint and RNA Editing of Perilla Plants

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Hubei Minzu University sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Perilla frutescens
  • The genome is 299,551 base pairs long, with 59 unique genes, including 37 protein-coding genes
  • The study found 293 dispersed repeat sequences and 70 fragments transferred from the chloroplast to the mitochondrial genome
Perilla frutescens, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is a versatile plant known for its distinct aroma and medicinal properties. Its seeds are also economically significant due to their high α-linolenic acid content. While the nuclear and chloroplast genomes of P. frutescens have been documented, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence has remained unreported until now. Researchers from Hubei Minzu University have recently sequenced, annotated, and assembled the entire mitochondrial genome of P. frutescens using a combination of Illumina and PacBio data[1]. The assembled mitochondrial genome of P. frutescens spans 299,551 base pairs (bp) and exhibits a typical circular structure with a GC content of 45.23%. Within this genome, 59 unique genes were identified, including 37 protein-coding genes, 20 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Additionally, 18 introns were found in 8 protein-coding genes. The codons of the P. frutescens mitochondrial genome displayed a notable bias towards adenine (A) and thymine (T). The study also identified 293 dispersed repeat sequences, 77 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and 6 tandem repeat sequences. RNA editing sites were found to preferentially produce leucine at amino acid editing sites. Furthermore, 70 sequence fragments (totaling 12,680 bp) were transferred from the chloroplast to the mitochondrial genome, accounting for 4.23% of the entire mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. frutescens is most closely related to Salvia miltiorrhiza and Platostoma chinense among Lamiaceae plants. Inter-species Ka/Ks results indicated that 28 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were evolving under purifying selection, as Ka/Ks <1 for these genes. This study enriches the mitochondrial genome data for P. frutescens and lays a theoretical foundation for future molecular breeding research. It also builds on previous findings about plant mitochondrial genomes, which are known for their large size and complexity compared to other eukaryotic organelles[2]. Plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is characterized by a high recombinatorial activity and a unique set of processes for mRNA maturation, including splicing and editing at numerous sites[3]. These processes contribute to the complexity and flexibility of plant mitochondrial metabolism, allowing them to participate in various cellular functions such as photosynthesis, stress resistance, and genomic evolution. The discovery of the complete mitochondrial genome of P. frutescens adds to our understanding of plant mitochondrial genetics and evolution. It also highlights the intricate relationship between the nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes in plants. The transfer of sequence fragments from the chloroplast to the mitochondrial genome observed in this study is a notable example of this interplay. Such transfers are not uncommon in plant mitochondria and contribute to the dynamic nature of their genomes[2]. In conclusion, the sequencing and analysis of the P. frutescens mitochondrial genome by Hubei Minzu University researchers provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup and evolutionary history of this economically important plant. This study not only enhances our understanding of plant mitochondrial genomes but also offers a foundation for future research and breeding efforts aimed at improving the medicinal and economic value of P. frutescens.

GeneticsBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Insights into structure, codon usage, repeats, and RNA editing of the complete mitochondrial genome of Perilla frutescens (Lamiaceae).

Published 17th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64509-3

Related Studies

2) The plant mitochondrial genome: dynamics and maintenance.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2013.09.016

3) Plant mitochondria - past, present and future.

https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15495


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