PAPER: Admixed brushtail possum genome revelations
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41784-8
The admixed brushtail possum genome reveals invasion history in New Zealand and novel imprinted genes
October 2023
Bond DM, Ortega-Recalde O, Laird MK, Hayakawa T, Richardson KS, Reese FCB, Kyle B, McIsaac-Williams BE, Robertson BC, van Heezik Y; Adams AL, Chang W-S, Haase B, Mountcastle J, Driller M, Collins J. Howe K, Gao Y, Thibund-Nissen F, Lister NC, Waters PD, Fedrigo O, Jarvis ED, Gemmell NJ, Alexander A. & Hore TA. 2023. The admixed brushtail possum genome reveals invasion history in New Zealand and novel imprinted genes. Nature Communications 14(1): 6364.
ABSTRACT
Combining genome assembly with population and functional genomics can provide valuable insights to development and evolution, as well as tools for species management. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a model marsupial threatened in parts of their native range in Australia, but also a major introduced pest in New Zealand. Functional genomics reveals post-natal activation of chemosensory and metabolic genes, reflecting unique adaptations to altricial birth and delayed weaning, a hallmark of marsupial development. Nuclear and mitochondrial analyses trace New Zealand possums to distinct Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture allowed phasing of parental alleles genome-wide, ultimately revealing at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We find that reprogramming of possum germline imprints, and the wider epigenome, is similar to eutherian mammals except onset occurs after birth. Together, this work is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits.
KEYWORDS
Brushtail possum; Australia; New Zealand; Genome assembly; RNA sequencing; Methylation analysis; Chemical communication; Imprinted genes
There are no views created for this resource yet.
Additional Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Data last updated | unknown |
| Metadata last updated | 24 July 2024 |
| Created | unknown |
| Format | unknown |
| License | CC-BY-4.0 |
| Created | 1 year ago |
| Datastore active | False |
| Has views | False |
| Id | 623f1bee-ebad-4e5f-ae8c-64e48c420787 |
| Package id | 8d9cb0cd-9bdc-4699-a48f-902b651f4bde |
| Position | 28 |
| State | active |