The first Antechinus reference genome provides a resource for investigating the genetic basis of semelparity and age-related neuropathologies.

Abstract

Antechinus are a genus of mouse-like marsupials that exhibit a rare reproductive strategy known as semelparity and also naturally develop age-related neuropathologies similar to those in humans. We provide the first annotated antechinus reference genome for the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii). The reference genome is 3.3 Gb in size with a scaffold N50 of 73Mb and 93.3% complete mammalian BUSCOs. Using bioinformatic methods we assign scaffolds to chromosomes and identify 0.78 Mb of Y-chromosome scaffolds. Comparative genomics revealed interesting expansions in the NMRK2 gene and the protocadherin gamma family, which have previously been associated with aging and age-related dementias respectively. Transcriptome data displayed expression of common Alzheimer's related genes in the antechinus brain and highlight the potential of utilising the antechinus as a future disease model. The valuable genomic resources provided herein will enable future research to explore the genetic basis of semelparity and age-related processes in the antechinus.

• Authors: Parice A Brandies, Simon Tang, Robert S P Johnson, Carolyn J Hogg, Katherine Belov
• Journal: GigaByte (Hong Kong, China) (GigaByte) Vol. 2020 Pg. gigabyte7 ( 2020) ISSN: 2709-4715 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 36824596 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2020.