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Subchromosome-Scale Nuclear and Complete Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics of Morchella crassipes

Summary

This research provides the first detailed genetic blueprint of the yellow morel mushroom Morchella crassipes, a highly valued edible fungus. The study revealed unique features of its genetic makeup, including the largest mitochondrial genome ever found in fungi. This breakthrough has important implications for understanding and potentially cultivating these valuable mushrooms. Impacts on everyday life: • Could help develop better cultivation methods for morel mushrooms, making them more available and affordable • Provides insights that might lead to improved breeding of morel varieties • Helps understand why certain morels grow where they do, aiding foragers and cultivators • Could contribute to conservation efforts for wild morel populations • May lead to better understanding of fungal evolution and adaptation

Background

True morels (Morchella spp.) are important edible mushrooms distributed worldwide, especially in the North temperate zone. They belong to Ascomycota phylum and Pezizomycetes class. Morchella crassipes is a typical yellow morel species with high economic value, mainly distributed in low-altitude plain areas of Eurasia. However, limited genomic research has restricted its research and development.

Objective

To analyze and characterize the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Morchella crassipes through deep sequencing and assembly, providing insights into its genomic features, mating system, and evolutionary relationships.

Results

The nuclear genome assembly yielded 56.7 Mb with 23 scaffolds, including 8 complete chromosomes. A total of 11,565 protein-encoding genes were predicted. The mitochondrial genome was assembled as a 531,195 bp circular sequence – the largest fungal mitochondrial genome reported to date. It contained 14 conserved mitochondrial genes, 2 rRNAs, 31 tRNAs, 51 introns, and 412 non-conserved ORFs. Analysis revealed M. crassipes to be a heterothallic fungus. Comparative genomics showed divergence from black morels around 33.98 million years ago.

Conclusion

The study produced high-quality nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for M. crassipes, revealing unique genomic features including an exceptionally large mitochondrial genome with extensive introns and repeat sequences. The findings provide new insights into the evolution and biology of yellow morels and establish genomic resources for future research and development of this economically important species.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms21020483
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