The genome of the vining fern Lygodium microphyllum highlights genomic and functional differences between life phases of an invasive plant
Authors: Pelosi, J., Davenport, R., Kuo, L.-Y., Gray, L. N., Dant, A. J., Kim, E. H., Li, F.-W., Dlugosch, K. M., Krabbenhoft, T. J., Barbazuk, W. B., Sessa, E. B.
The study presents a chromosome-level reference genome for the invasive fern Lygodium microphyllum and compares the transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles of its haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte phases, revealing differential regulation of developmental genes and similar methylation patterns across tissues. Base‑pair resolution methylome data and freezing‑stress experiments show that each life phase employs distinct molecular pathways for stress response, emphasizing the importance of considering both phases in invasive‑species management.
RNA‑seq of 328 wheat lines using a pan‑genome reference uncovered over 20,000 additional transcripts beyond the Chinese Spring genome and enabled construction of a pan‑gene eQTL regulatory atlas. Multi‑omics integration identified 231 high‑confidence candidate genes influencing 34 agronomic traits and powdery mildew resistance, with functional validation showing 80% of candidates affecting trait phenotypes via an EMS mutant library.
The study investigates how miR394 influences flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana by combining transcriptomic profiling of mir394a mir394b double mutants with histological analysis of reporter lines. Bioinformatic analysis identified a novel lncRNA overlapping MIR394B (named MIRAST), and differential promoter activity of MIR394A and MIR394B suggests miR394 fine‑tunes flower development through transcription factor and chromatin remodeler regulation.