The genome of the mesopolyploid crop species Brassica rapa

Nat Genet. 2011 Aug 28;43(10):1035-9. doi: 10.1038/ng.919.

Abstract

We report the annotation and analysis of the draft genome sequence of Brassica rapa accession Chiifu-401-42, a Chinese cabbage. We modeled 41,174 protein coding genes in the B. rapa genome, which has undergone genome triplication. We used Arabidopsis thaliana as an outgroup for investigating the consequences of genome triplication, such as structural and functional evolution. The extent of gene loss (fractionation) among triplicated genome segments varies, with one of the three copies consistently retaining a disproportionately large fraction of the genes expected to have been present in its ancestor. Variation in the number of members of gene families present in the genome may contribute to the remarkable morphological plasticity of Brassica species. The B. rapa genome sequence provides an important resource for studying the evolution of polyploid genomes and underpins the genetic improvement of Brassica oil and vegetable crops.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Brassica rapa / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Plant / genetics
  • Contig Mapping
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Duplication
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genome, Plant*
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polyploidy*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AENI00000000