Deshan Huang , Jianquan Li

Hier Rice Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0021
Received: 02 Sep., 2024    Accepted: 08 Oct., 2024    Published: 20 Oct., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Huang D.S., and Li J.Q., 2024, Genomic evolution in Oryza: the role of novel genetic elements, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 212-223 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0021)

The genus Oryza, encompassing both domesticated and wild rice species, serves as a model system for studying genomic evolution due to its diverse genetic background and ecological adaptations. This study investigates the role of novel genetic elements in the genomic evolution of Oryza, focusing on the processes of diploidization, transposon activity, and de novo gene origination. By analyzing orthologous genomic sequences, chloroplast genomes, and structural variations across multiple Oryza species, the study uncovers the dynamics of genome size variation, the emergence of new protein-coding genes, and the adaptive evolution of chloroplast genes. The findings reveal that transposable elements, particularly LTR retrotransposons, significantly contribute to genome size variation and that de novo genes play a crucial role in protein diversity. Additionally, the adaptive evolution of chloroplast genes facilitates the adaptation of rice species to diverse ecological habitats. These insights enhance the understanding of the genomic mechanisms underlying the evolution and domestication of rice, providing valuable information for crop improvement strategies.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.); Genomic evolution; Oryza; Diploidization; Transposable elements; De novo gene