Patterns and Processes of Genomic Evolution Inferred From the Ten Smallest Vertebrate Genomes.

ABSTRACT: Pufferfish exhibit the smallest vertebrate genomes, making them ideal models for investigating evolutionary patterns and processes that affect genome size. While the Takifugu rubripes genome was fully sequenced two decades ago, key evolutionary drivers remain elusive. We sequenced 10 pufferfish genomes and generated 35 transcriptomes and 13 methylomes to understand genomic evolutionary mechanisms. Comparative genomics revealed that transposable element suppression-rather than lineage-specific conserved element loss-primarily underlies genome compaction. This is mediated by reductions in transposon-associated enzymes that limit transposable element propagation and modify DNA repair mechanisms that promote genomic streamlining. Based on resolved phylogeny among nine Takifugu, it is found tha

SUBMITTER: Liu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12520575 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature