cartoon-biology/Presentation.org

1.4 KiB

The axolotl genome and the evolution of key tissue formation regulators

Introduction

  • Ambystoma mexicanum
  • No metaphormosis
  • Extensive regeneration abilities

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/ugent/cartoon-biology/media/branch/master/assets/axolotl.jpg
Axolotl

Genome characteristics

  • Large genome: 32 Gb
  • High number of repeats: ~65%
  • Mostly long terminal repeats (LTR)

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Major repeat classes

Methods

  • PacBio + Illumina
  • Development of a novel genome assembler (MARVEL)
  • Thorough assessment of the genome assembly

Genome annotation and analysis

  • Protein-coding genes: ~23.000
  • Large median intron size: x13 human
  • Intron size varies in developmental genes
  • Identification of 5 transcripts

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Median intron sizes

Comparative genomics analysis

  • Analysis of homologs: Pax family
  • Deletion of Pax3: functionality present in Pax7
  • Mutation experiments: CRISPR and TALEN
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Effect of a Pax7 mutation

Conclusion

  • Sequencing and annotation of a challenging organism
  • Identification of limb regeneration transcripts
  • Foundation to investigate gene regulation in regeneration