The genome of Chenopodium quinoa

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 542; no. 7641; pp. 307 - 312
• Main Authors: Jarvis, David E., Ho, Yung Shwen, Lightfoot, Damien J., Schmöckel, Sandra M., Li, Bo, Borm, Theo J. A., Ohyanagi, Hajime, Mineta, Katsuhiko, Michell, Craig T., Saber, Noha, Kharbatia, Najeh M., Rupper, Ryan R., Sharp, Aaron R., Dally, Nadine, Boughton, Berin A., Woo, Yong H., Gao, Ge, Schijlen, Elio G. W. M., Guo, Xiujie, Momin, Afaque A., Negrão, Sónia, Al-Babili, Salim, Gehring, Christoph, Roessner, Ute, Jung, Christian, Murphy, Kevin, Arold, Stefan T., Gojobori, Takashi, Linden, C. Gerard van der, van Loo, Eibertus N., Jellen, Eric N., Maughan, Peter J., Tester, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 16.02.2017; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/449/2491/3933; 631/449/2492; Alternative Splicing - genetics; Annotations; BIOS Applied Bioinformatics; Biosynthesis; Chenopodium quinoa - genetics; Diploidy; DNA sequencing; EPS; Evolution; Evolution, Molecular; Food security; Food supply; Gene Pool; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genome, Plant - genetics; Genomes; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hybridization; Methods; Molecular Sequence Annotation; multidisciplinary; Mutation; PBR Abiotische Stress; PBR Bio-based Economy; PBR Biobased Economy; PBR Breeding for a-biotic Stress Tolerance; PE&RC; Plant Breeding; Polyploidy; PRI BIOS Applied Bioinformatics; Quinoa; Saponins - biosynthesis; Science; Seeds; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sterols; Transcription Factors - metabolism; WUR PB Abiotische Stress; WUR PB Biobased Economy; WUR Plant Breeding
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/nature21370

Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) is a highly nutritious grain identified as an important crop to improve world food security. Unfortunately, few resources are available to facilitate its genetic improvement. Here we report the assembly of a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome sequence for quinoa, which was produced using single-molecule real-time sequencing in combination with optical, chromosome-contact and genetic maps. We also report the sequencing of two diploids from the ancestral gene pools of quinoa, which enables the identification of sub-genomes in quinoa, and reduced-coverage genome sequences for 22 other samples of the allotetraploid goosefoot complex. The genome sequence facilitated the identification of the transcription factor likely to control the production of anti-nutritional triterpenoid saponins found in quinoa seeds, including a mutation that appears to cause alternative splicing and a premature stop codon in sweet quinoa strains. These genomic resources are an important first step towards the genetic improvement of quinoa. Constructing a reference genome for quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa ) allows for genetic diversity during the evolution of sub-genomes in quinoa to be characterized and markers that may be used to develop sweet commercial varieties are identified. The quinoa genome sequence In this issue, Mark Tester and colleagues report a reference genome for quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa ), a highly nutritious crop that can grow under a wide range of environmental conditions. Long-read sequencing combined with optical, chromosome-contact and genetic maps was used to generate the allotetraploid genome. The authors also sequenced the genomes of additional diploid and tetraploid Chenopodium species, characterizing genetic diversity and the evolution of sub-genomes in the crop. In the process, Tester and colleagues identified a transcription factor that regulates the biosynthesis of bitter-tasting saponins in quinoa, as well as markers that might be used to develop sweet commercial varieties.