Genome graphs reveal the importance of structural variation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis evolution and drug resistance.

ABSTRACT: Structural variants (SVs) are increasingly recognized as key drivers of bacterial evolution, yet their role has not been explored thoroughly. This is due to limitations in traditional short-read sequencing and linear reference-based analyses, which can miss complex structural changes. Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a major global health concern. In this study, we harness long-read sequencing technologies and genome graph tools to construct a Mtb pangenome reference graph (PRG) from 859 high-quality, diverse, long-read assemblies. To enable accurate genotyping of SVs leveraging the PRG, we developed miniwalk, a tool that outperforms a traditional linear genome-based approach in precision for SV detection. We characterize patterns of structur

SUBMITTER: Canalda-Baltrons A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663572 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature