The Mitochondrial Genome of the Diploid Oat Avena Longiglumis

Background: Avena longiglumis Durieu (2n = 2x = 14) is a wild relative of cultivated oat (Avena sativa, 2n = 6x = 42) with good agronomic and nutritional traits. The plant mitochondrial genome has a complex organization and carries genetic traits of value in exploiting genetic resources, not least male sterility alleles used to generate F hybrid seeds. Therefore, we aim to complement the chromosomal-level nuclear and chloroplast genome assemblies of A. longiglumis with the complete assembly of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) based on Illumina and ONT long reads, comparing its structure with Poaceae species.

Results: The complete mitochondrial genome of A. longiglumis can be represented by one master circular genome being 548,445 bp long with a GC content of 44.05%. It can be represented by linear or circular DNA molecules (isoforms or contigs), with multiple alternative configurations mediated by long (4,100-31,235 bp) and medium (144-792 bp) size repeats. Thirty-five unique protein-coding genes, three unique rRNA genes, and 11 unique tRNA genes are identified. The mitogenome is rich in duplications (up to 233 kb long) and multiple tandem or simple sequence repeats, together accounting for more than 42.5% of the total length. We identify homologous sequences between the mitochondrial, plastid and nuclear genomes, including the exchange of eight plastid-derived tRNA genes, and nuclear-derived retroelement fragments. At least 85% of the mitogenome is duplicated in the A. longiglumis nuclear genome. We identify 269 RNA editing sites in mitochondrial protein-coding genes including stop codons truncating ccmFC transcripts.

Conclusions: Comparative analysis with Poaceae species reveals the dynamic and ongoing evolutionary changes in mitochondrial genome structure and gene content. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. longiglumis completes the last link of the oat reference genome and lays the foundation for oat breeding and exploiting the biodiversity in the genus.