The first chromosome-scale genome assembly of a microcyclic rust, Puccinia silphii

Rust fungi are destructive pathogens in crop plants, having led to epidemics and damaging crops all over the world. The rust Puccinia silphii (Basidiomycota) infects Silphium integrifolium, which is a member of the most speciose plant family, Asteraceae.

This study analyzes the first chromosome-scale genome sequence of a rust that infects any dicot, or any species outside of the Poaceae (grasses). We found it to be the smallest genome among the available Pucciniales genome assemblies. Our final assembly was 41.7 Mb in size and consisted of 19 pseudomolecules. The genome had a BUSCO completeness score of 92.1%, with nearly all BUSCO gene losses shared with other Puccinia genomes, and gene losses concentrated in the sulfate assimilation categories. Other gene losses were unique to P. silphii, whose genome contained by far the fewest protein coding genes. A total of 10,399 protein coding genes were predicted, compared to 14,257 in the next smallest genome. Gene losses in P. silphii were concentrated in categories related to meiosis.

This newly assembled genome provides insights into the size limitations of Puccinia genus genomes, as well as important protein gene families that are evolving within the genus including sulphate assimilation genes and DNA replication and its role in the evolution of microcyclic rusts.