Next-generation sequencing reveals the mitogenomic heteroplasmy in the topmouth culter (Culter alburnus Basilewsky, 1855).

BACKGROUND: The mitogenomic heteroplasmy is the presence of multiple haplotypes in the mitochondria, which could cause genetic diseases and is also associated with many critical biological functions. The topmouth culter (Culter alburnus Basilewsky, 1855) is one of the most important freshwater fish in the family of Cyprinidae in China. At present, there are no reports on the topmouth culter's mtDNA heteroplasmy and the existence of which is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study aimed to analyze the mitogenomic heteroplasmy in the topmouth culter by the next-generation sequencing of the fins' total DNA. The results confirmed the existence of the heteroplasmy and indicated the presence of the extensive heteroplasmy in the topmouth culter's mitogenome. There were 38 heteroplasmic variations in the protein-coding genes from the three specimens, with 33 non-synonymous substitutions accounting for 86.84% and five synonymous substitutions accounting for 13.16%. Among them, the ND6 had the most heteroplasmic variations but only one synonymous substitution. After removing the putative nuclear mitochondrial DNA fragments, the ratio of primary haplotype in the three specimens was 43.89%, 74.72%, and 32.76%, respectively. The three specimens contained 21, 7, and 21 haplotypes of the mitogenomes, respectively. Due to the extensive heteroplasmy, we reconstructed the phylogenetic tree of the topmouth culter using the RY-coding method, which improved the performance of the phylogenetic tree to some extent. CONCLUSIONS: This study reported the mitogenomic heteroplasmy in the topmouth culter and enhanced the knowledge regarding the mitogenomic heteroplasmy in phylogenetic studies. As the topmouth culter is a commercial species, the mitogenomic heteroplasmy is crucial for the fisheries management of the topmouth culter.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of the Mongolian redfin, Chanodichthys mongolicus (Xenocyprididae) from China reveals heteroplasmy.

This study determined the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Chanodichthys mongolicus from China's Qiantang River and analyzed its phylogenetic history in the Subfamily Cultrinae. Next-generation sequencing was used to obtain the mitogenome of C. mongolicus, GenBank Accession Number MZ032228. The mitochondrial genome length of C. mongolicus from China's Qiantang River is 16,622 bp. The genome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and two central noncoding regions (the control region and the origin of light strand replication). Based on BLAST comparisons, the sequence identity of C. mongolicus MZ032228 from China's Qiantang River was 99.84% to that of Ancherythroculter wangi MG783573 from China's Nei River, 99.75% to C. mongolicus AP009060 from Russia's Black River. The phylogenetic analysis is consistent with BLAST comparisons in confirming that A. wangi MG783573 and C. mongolicus MZ032228 show a high genetic similarity. This study also confirms mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy in C. mongolicus for the first time and documents 35 heterogeneous loci that were detected.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid of Megalobrama terminalis(♀) × Culter alburnus(♂).

In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the hybrid of Megalobrama terminalis(♀) × Culter alburnus(♂) for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid was sequenced to be 16,621 bp in size following the female parent, M. terminalis. The genome contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of light strand replication). Sequence alignment between the mitochondrial genomes of the hybrid and its female parent showed that a total of 28 mutation sites were identified in 14 genes or regions. The genome information presented here may play an important role in further study on the genetic mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA in hybrids.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid of Culter alburnus (♀) × Megalobrama terminalis (♂).

In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the hybrid of Culter alburnus (♀) x Megalobrama terminalis (♂) for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid was sequenced to be 16,622 bp in size following the female parent, C. alburnus. The genome contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and two main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of light strand replication). Sequence alignment between the mitochondrial genomes of the hybrid and its female parent showed that a total of 35 mutation sites were identified in 14 genes or regions. The genome information presented here may play an important role in further study on the genetic mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA in hybrids.