While prokaryotic pan-genomes have been shown to contain many more genes than any individual organism, the prevalence and functional significance of differentially present genes in eukaryotes remains poorly understood. Whole-genome de novo assembly and annotation of 54 lines of the grass Brachypodium distachyon yield a pan-genome containing nearly twice the number of genes found in any individual genome. Genes present in all lines are enriched for essential biological functions, while genes present in only some lines are enriched for conditionally beneficial functions (e.g., defense and development), display faster evolutionary rates, lie closer to transposable elements and are less likely to be syntenic with orthologous genes in other grasses. Our data suggest that differentially present genes contribute substantially to phenotypic variation within a eukaryote species, these genes have a major influence in population genetics, and transposable elements play a key role in pan-genome evolution.
The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
The basic helix-loop-helix () transcription factor (TF) family, the second-largest among eukaryotes, is known for its evolutionary and functional diversity across plant species. However, genes have not yet been characterized in . In this study, we identified 76 genes, which exhibit a variety of physicochemical properties.
Easily extractable glomalin (EEG) is a type of soil organic matter mainly produced by mycorrhizal fungi, important for soil functions like aggregation and water repellence.
This study used analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyze the molecular composition of EEG in Mediterranean soils affected by different vegetation and environmental conditions, including forest fires.
A total of 139 compounds were identified, showing that EEG is rich in lipids and plant-derived materials, and while resilient to heat, it has a composition resembling humic acids rather than typical glycoproteins.
Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient that plays a crucial role in critical plant functions. Phosphate transporters (PHTs) ensure the acquisition and translocation of Pi in the plant, thereby playing a key role in maintaining normal plant growth under Pi deficiency conditions. In Brachypodium distachyon, the grass model system, the function of individual PHT genes, remains largely unknown.
Root systems are uniquely adapted to fluctuations in external nutrient availability. In response to suboptimal nitrogen conditions, plants adopt a root foraging strategy that favors a deeper and more branched root architecture, enabling them to explore and acquire soil resources. This response is gradually suppressed as nitrogen conditions improve.
Replicated trait evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the evolution of biodiversity. One example of replicated evolution is the awn, an organ elaboration in grass inflorescences. Awns are likely homologous to leaf blades.
