Dataset Information

The genome of Draba nivalis shows signatures of adaptation to the extreme environmental stresses of the Arctic.

ABSTRACT: The Arctic is one of the most extreme terrestrial environments on the planet. Here, we present the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of a plant adapted to the high Arctic, Draba nivalis (Brassicaceae), an attractive model species for studying plant adaptation to the stresses imposed by this harsh environment. We used an iterative scaffolding strategy with data from short-reads, single-molecule long reads, proximity ligation data, and a genetic map to produce a 302 Mb assembly that is highly contiguous with 91.6% assembled into eight chromosomes (the base chromosome number). To identify candidate genes and gene families that may have facilitated adaptation to Arctic environmental stresses, we performed comparative genomic analyses with nine non-Arctic Brassicaceae species. We show that the D. nivalis genome contains expanded suites of genes associated with drought and cold stress (e.g., related to the maintenance of oxidation-reduction homeostasis, meiosis, and signaling pathways). The expansions of gene families associated with these functions appear to be driven in part by the activity of transposable elements. Tests of positive selection identify suites of candidate genes associated with meiosis and photoperiodism, as well as cold, drought, and oxidative stress responses. Our results reveal a multifaceted landscape of stress adaptation in the D. nivalis genome, offering avenues for the continued development of this species as an Arctic model plant.

SUBMITTER: Nowak MD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7983928 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The genome of Draba nivalis shows signatures of adaptation to the extreme environmental stresses of the Arctic.

Nowak Michael D MD Birkeland Siri S Mandáková Terezie T Roy Choudhury Rimjhim R Guo Xinyi X Gustafsson Anna Lovisa S ALS Gizaw Abel A Schrøder-Nielsen Audun A Fracassetti Marco M Brysting Anne K AK Rieseberg Loren L Slotte Tanja T Parisod Christian C Lysak Martin A MA Brochmann Christian C

Molecular ecology resources 20201112 3

The Arctic is one of the most extreme terrestrial environments on the planet. Here, we present the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of a plant adapted to the high Arctic, Draba nivalis (Brassicaceae), an attractive model species for studying plant adaptation to the stresses imposed by this harsh environment. We used an iterative scaffolding strategy with data from short-reads, single-molecule long reads, proximity ligation data, and a genetic map to produce a 302 Mb assembly that is highly ...[more]

PMID: 33058468

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Project description:Changes in the environment force populations of organisms to adapt to new conditions, either through phenotypic plasticity or through genetic or epigenetic changes. Signatures of selection, such as specific changes in the frequency of alleles and haplotypes, as well as the reduction or increase in genetic diversity, help to identify changes in the cattle genome in response to natural and artificial selection, as well as loci and genetic variants directly affecting adaptive and economically important traits. Advances in genetics and biotechnology enable a rapid transfer of unique genetic variants that have originated in local cattle breeds in the process of adaptation to local environments into the genomes of cosmopolitan high-performance breeds, in order to preserve their outstanding performance in new environments. It is also possible to use genomic selection approach to increase the frequency of already present adaptive alleles in cosmopolitan breeds. The review examines recent work on the origin and evolution of Turano-Mongolian cattle breeds, adaptation of Turano-Mongolian cattle to extreme environments, and summarizes available information on potential candidate genes for climate adaptation of Turano-Mongolian breeds, including cold resistance genes, immune response genes, and high-altitude adaptation genes. The authors conclude that the current literature data do not provide preference to one of the two possible scenarios of Turano-Mongolian breed origins: as a result of the domestication of a wild aurochs at East Asia or as a result of the migration of taurine proto-population from the Middle East. Turano-Mongolian breeds show a high degree of adaptation to extreme climatic conditions (cold, heat, lack of oxygen in the highlands) and parasites (mosquitoes, ticks, bacterial and viral infections). As a result of high-density genotyping and sequencing of genomes and transcriptomes, prospective candidate genes and genetic variants involved in adaptation to environmental factors have recently been identified.

Dataset Information

The genome of Draba nivalis shows signatures of adaptation to the extreme environmental stresses of the Arctic.

Publications

The genome of Draba nivalis shows signatures of adaptation to the extreme environmental stresses of the Arctic.

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