Donkey genome and insight into the imprinting of fast karyotype evolution

• DOI: 10.1038/srep14106
• Publication Date: 2015-09-16T08:54:20Z
• Authors: Jinlong Huang; Yiping Zhao; Dongyi Bai; Wunierfu Shiraigol; Bei Li; Lihua Yang; Jing Wu; Wuyundalai Bao; Xiujuan Ren; Burenqiqige Jin; Qinan Zhao; Anaer Li; Sarula Bao; Wuyingga Bao; Zhencun Xing; Aoruga An; Yahan Gao; Ruiyuan Wei; Yirugeletu Bao; Taoketao Bao; Haige Han; Haitang Bai; Yanqing Bao; Yuhong Zhang; Dorjsuren Daidiikhuu; Wenjing Zhao; Shuyun Liu; Jinmei Ding; Weixing Ye; Fangmei Ding; Zikui Sun; Yixiang Shi; Yan Zhang; He Meng; Manglai Dugarjaviin
• Keywords: Gene Rearrangement; Genome; Centromere; Karyotype; Computational Biology; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Equidae; Genomics; Article; Evolution, Molecular; Genomic Imprinting; MicroRNAs; Animals; RNA Interference; RNA, Messenger; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid

AbstractThe donkey, like the horse, is a promising model for exploring karyotypic instability. We report the de novo whole-genome assemblies of the donkey and the Asiatic wild ass. Our results reflect the distinct characteristics of donkeys, including more effective energy metabolism and better immunity than horses. The donkey shows a steady demographic trajectory. We detected abundant satellite sequences in some inactive centromere regions but not in neocentromere regions, while ribosomal RNAs frequently emerged in neocentromere regions but not in the obsolete centromere regions. Expanded miRNA families and five newly discovered miRNA target genes involved in meiosis may be associated with fast karyotype evolution. APC/C, controlling sister chromatid segregation, cytokinesis and the establishment of the G1 cell cycle phase were identified by analysis of miRNA targets and rapidly evolving genes.