Complete genome of the raccoon dog

Complete genome of the raccoon dog
Luis Javier Chueca. Credit: Nuria González

A study, in which the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country participated, has for the first time assembled and annotated the complete genome of the raccoon dog, a species originating in East Asia but introduced into Europe, where it has settled. The work will provide a reference for future evolutionary, ecological, carnivore-based studies that involve gene-disease association and chromosome architecture.

The ongoing technological development of DNA sequencing, as well as the remarkable reduction in data production costs, have led to a boom in recent years in the sequencing of whole genomes of various organisms.

In a recent paper now published in Frontiers in Genetics, the complete of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a close relative of the fox (Vulpes vulpes), has been assembled and annotated for the first time. This originated in East Asia, but due to a fur-breeding interest it has since the 1940s been introduced into Europe where it has become established. Although the most southerly populations detected so far are in France, the distribution modeling of the species indicates that the raccoon dog could colonize the Iberian Peninsula over the next 20 years. This is of great importance from a public health point of view as it is known to be a reservoir and vector of numerous diseases that can affect humans, including COVID-19.

Long, third-generation sequencing (PacBio and Oxford Nanopore Technologies) as well as state-of-the-art bioinformatics techniques for gene prediction and annotation have been used to assemble the genome. The main challenges faced by the research have been the raccoon dog's complex chromosome structure, which is characterized by the display of unusually large telomeres and centromeres, plus the presence of a variable number of B-type chromosomes. All these elements are characterized by non-coding, repetitive DNA regions, which are very difficult to sequence and subsequently study.

The size of the genome obtained in the study is 2.39 gigabases, in which more than 27,000 genes have been identified and annotated. In addition, 39% of the assembled genome is made up of repetitive regions, although this may be an underestimate due to these complex repetitive regions. On the other hand, although the divergence between the dog and the wolf is estimated to be around 12 million years, a greater than expected similarity between the structure and composition of the genomes of the two species has been detected.

Dr. Luis Javier Chueca, lead researcher in this study, says, "The genome presented in the publication will provide a reference for future evolutionary, ecological, carnivore-based studies involving gene-disease association and chromosome architecture."

More information: Luis J. Chueca et al. De novo Genome Assembly of the Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), Frontiers in Genetics (2021). DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.658256

Citation: Complete genome of the raccoon dog (2021, May 13) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2021-05-genome-raccoon-dog.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Raccoons and raccoon dogs are expected to expand their ranges in Europe

9 shares

Feedback to editors