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Genetic research

Mitochondrial Genome of Endangered Medicinal Plant Revealed

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A team of researchers from King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of genetics. The team has successfully assembled and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of *Trichopus zeylanicus*, an endemic medicinal plant from the Western Ghats. This research has provided a valuable resource for understanding the diversity and evolution of mitochondrial genomes in monocots.

Key Takeaways:

  • The complete mitochondrial genome of *Trichopus zeylanicus* was assembled using a combination of Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read sequencing technologies.
  • The circular mitogenome spans 709,127 bp with a GC content of 46%, encoding 32 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNAs, and three rRNAs.
  • Comparative analysis with other monocot mitochondrial genomes revealed conserved gene clusters but also significant lineage-specific rearrangements.
  • The genome contains 6.7% chloroplast-derived sequences and 324 predicted RNA-editing sites, predominantly in the first and second codon positions.
  • Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial genes placed *Trichopus zeylanicus* as a distinct lineage within Dioscoreales, supporting its evolutionary uniqueness.
  • This study provides the first mitogenomic resource for Dioscoreales and advances our understanding of mitochondrial diversity and evolution in monocots.
  • The research was financially supported by King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, and the discovery has significant implications for the conservation and development of medicinal plants.

Statistics:

  • The complete mitochondrial genome of *Trichopus zeylanicus* spans 709,127 bp.
  • The genome encodes 32 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNAs, and three rRNAs.
  • The genome contains 6.7% chloroplast-derived sequences.
  • There are 324 predicted RNA-editing sites in the genome.

Sources:

  • Assembly and Comparative Analysis of Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of Endangered Medicinal Plant *Trichopus zeylanicus*. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2025,47(7):553.
  • MDPI AG, the publisher of Current Issues in Molecular Biology.
  • Biju Vadakkemukadiyil Chellappan, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 420, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
  • P. R. Shidhi, Anu Sasi, Rashid Ismael Hag Ibrahim, Hamad Abu Zahra.

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