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The genome evolution and low-phosphorus adaptation in white lupin
Weifeng Xu1, Qian Zhang2, Wei Yuan3
1Center for Plant Water-use and Nutrition Regulation and College of Life Sciences, Joint International Research Laboratory of Water and Nutrient in Crop, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Jinshan, Fuzhou, 350002, China. wfxu@fafu.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|February 28, 2020
Summary
White lupin (Lupinus albus) possesses high phosphorus-use efficiency (PUE) due to genome evolution and gene duplication. This study deciphers its genome, revealing key pathways for adaptation to low-phosphorus soils.
Area of Science:
- Plant genomics
- Agricultural science
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- White lupin (Lupinus albus) is a vital legume crop known for its high phosphorus-use efficiency (PUE) in phosphorus-deficient soils.
- Cluster root formation is a key characteristic contributing to its PUE.
- Understanding the genetic basis of PUE is crucial for improving crop performance in challenging environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assemble and analyze the white lupin genome.
- To understand the evolutionary history, including whole-genome triplication (WGT), and sub-genome structure.
- To identify genes and pathways responsible for high PUE in white lupin.
Main Methods:
- Genome assembly and analysis of white lupin (Lupinus albus).
- Deciphering the diploid ancestral genome and reconstructing sub-genomes.
- Investigating gene duplication events (WGT, tandem, dispersed) and transposable element (TE) density.
- Characterizing pathways related to phosphorus utilization.
Main Results:
- The white lupin genome was assembled, revealing its evolution from a whole-genome triplication (WGT) event.
- Sub-genome dominance and differential gene expression linked to TE density were identified.
- PUE genes have expanded through WGT and other duplication mechanisms.
- Four main PUE pathways were characterized, including carbon fixation, cluster root formation, soil-P remobilization, and cellular-P reuse.
Conclusions:
- The genome evolution, particularly WGT and subsequent gene duplications, has significantly contributed to the high PUE of white lupin.
- Specific pathways, including auxin modulation potentially involving LaABCG36s and LaABCG37s, are critical for cluster root formation and PUE.
- These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic architecture underlying adaptation to low-P soils in legumes.
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