Organellar genome analysis of Stephania epigaea: a medicinal plant endemic to Southwest China.
5 affiliations
- 1Yunnan Key Laboratory of Dai and Yi Medicines, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China.
- 2College of Chinese Material Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China.
- 3College of Chinese Material Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China. [email protected].
- 4Yunnan Key Laboratory of Dai and Yi Medicines, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China. [email protected].
- 5College of Chinese Material Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Mitochondria and chloroplast are central organelles in plant metabolism, playing crucial roles at various developmental stages. Stephania epigaea is a traditional medicinal plant utilized by minority ethnic groups, widely employed for treating malaria and stomach pain. Understanding the organelle genomes of S. epigaea-specifically its mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes-is essential for elucidating the molecular strategies underlying this species' evolutionary adaptation. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species is 476,231 bp in length and comprises three discrete circular chromosomes together with one additional complex structure. In contrast, the chloroplast genome is 158,139 bp and exhibits the canonical circular quadripartite architecture. A homologous segment of 9,723 bp was found to be shared with the chloroplast, involving the transfer of 24 homologous sequences. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU) analysis indicates that the codon preference in the chloroplast genome of S. epigaea is generally higher than that in the mitochondria. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that S. epigaea shares a close genetic relationship with the congeneric plant S. japonica, and a substantial number of homologous blocks have been identified in the synteny analysis. Selection pressure analysis shows that the most of protein-coding genes (PCGs) exhibit a Ka/Ks ratio of less than 1, suggesting that these genes tend to maintain their original functions and avoid deleterious mutations. This study has significant implications for understanding the evolutionary relationships within the genus Stephania, laying a foundation for genetic research on the traditional medicine S. epigaea.
Related
- A Review of Nuclear-Organellar Communication in Response to Heat Stress
- Genomic investigations of Plocamiomonas psychrophila and Dictyochophyceae sp. CCMP2098 reveal organellar genome complexity in Arctic Stramenopiles
- Large-scale organellar genomics reveals maternal evolutionary history and dynamism in the wolfberries
- Deoxyribonucleotide dephosphorylation by VENOSA4 supports organellar genome replication in plants
- Plant Organellar Homologous Recombination Depends on Accessory Factors for Recombinase Activity
BibTeX
@article{chen2026organellar,
title = {{Organellar genome analysis of Stephania epigaea: a medicinal plant endemic to Southwest China.}},
author = {Jian Chen and Congwei Yang and Yingmin Zhang and Qianwen Ma and Lixin Wu and Guodong Li},
journal = {BMC genomics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-13240-6},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958034},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Organellar genome analysis of Stephania epigaea: a medicinal plant endemic to Southwest China.
AU - Jian Chen
AU - Congwei Yang
AU - Yingmin Zhang
AU - Qianwen Ma
AU - Lixin Wu
AU - Guodong Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/03
JO - BMC genomics
DO - 10.1186/s12864-026-13240-6
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958034
AB - Mitochondria and chloroplast are central organelles in plant metabolism, playing crucial roles at various developmental stages. Stephania epigaea is a traditional medicinal plant utilized by minority ethnic groups, widely employed for treating malaria and stomach pain. Understanding the organelle genomes of S. epigaea-specifically its mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes-is essential for elucidating the molecular strategies underlying this species' evolutionary adaptation. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species is 476,231 bp in length and comprises three discrete circular chromosomes together with one additional complex structure. In contrast, the chloroplast genome is 158,139 bp and exhibits the canonical circular quadripartite architecture. A homologous segment of 9,723 bp was found to be shared with the chloroplast, involving the transfer of 24 homologous sequences. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU) analysis indicates that the codon preference in the chloroplast genome of S. epigaea is generally higher than that in the mitochondria. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that S. epigaea shares a close genetic relationship with the congeneric plant S. japonica, and a substantial number of homologous blocks have been identified in the synteny analysis. Selection pressure analysis shows that the most of protein-coding genes (PCGs) exhibit a Ka/Ks ratio of less than 1, suggesting that these genes tend to maintain their original functions and avoid deleterious mutations. This study has significant implications for understanding the evolutionary relationships within the genus Stephania, laying a foundation for genetic research on the traditional medicine S. epigaea.
SN - 1471-2164
ER -