Chromosome-level genome assembly of a parent species of widely cultivated azaleas

Fu-Sheng Yang, Shuai Nie, Hui Liu, Tian-Le Shi, Xue-Chan Tian, Shan-Shan Zhou, Yu-Tao Bao, Kai-Hua Jia, Jing-Fang Guo, Wei Zhao, Na An, Ren-Gang Zhang, Quan-Zheng Yun, Xin-Zhu Wang, Chanaka Mannapperuma, Ilga Porth, Yousry Aly El-Kassaby, Nathaniel Robert Street, Xiao-Ru Wang, Yves Peer () and Jian-Feng Mao ()
Additional contact information
Fu-Sheng Yang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuai Nie: Beijing Forestry University
Hui Liu: Beijing Forestry University
Tian-Le Shi: Beijing Forestry University
Xue-Chan Tian: Beijing Forestry University
Shan-Shan Zhou: Beijing Forestry University
Yu-Tao Bao: Beijing Forestry University
Kai-Hua Jia: Beijing Forestry University
Jing-Fang Guo: Beijing Forestry University
Wei Zhao: Beijing Forestry University
Na An: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ren-Gang Zhang: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co. Ltd
Quan-Zheng Yun: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co. Ltd
Xin-Zhu Wang: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co. Ltd
Chanaka Mannapperuma: Umeå University
Ilga Porth: Université Laval Québec
Yousry Aly El-Kassaby: University of British Columbia
Nathaniel Robert Street: Umeå University
Xiao-Ru Wang: Beijing Forestry University
Yves Peer: Ghent University
Jian-Feng Mao: Beijing Forestry University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Azaleas (Ericaceae) comprise one of the most diverse ornamental plants, renowned for their cultural and economic importance. We present a chromosome-scale genome assembly for Rhododendron simsii, the primary ancestor of azalea cultivars. Genome analyses unveil the remnants of an ancient whole-genome duplication preceding the radiation of most Ericaceae, likely contributing to the genomic architecture of flowering time. Small-scale gene duplications contribute to the expansion of gene families involved in azalea pigment biosynthesis. We reconstruct entire metabolic pathways for anthocyanins and carotenoids and their potential regulatory networks by detailed analysis of time-ordered gene co-expression networks. MYB, bHLH, and WD40 transcription factors may collectively regulate anthocyanin accumulation in R. simsii, particularly at the initial stages of flower coloration, and with WRKY transcription factors controlling progressive flower coloring at later stages. This work provides a cornerstone for understanding the underlying genetics governing flower timing and coloration and could accelerate selective breeding in azalea.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18771-4

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