A bird-like genome from a frog: Mechanisms of genome size reduction in the ornate burrowing frog, Platyplectrum ornatum
Abstract
The mechanisms by which genomes become smaller in lineages with large genomes, such as many frogs, are poorly understood. Here, we present the sequence of a very small genome from a frog—that of the ornate burrowing frog, Platyplectrum ornatum, whose genome is smaller than that of many birds, a group well known for small genomes. Our data show that this frog evolved molecular mechanisms to keep in check a major process characterizing large genomes: namely, proliferation of transposable elements. We also present basic data on gene expression and sex determination in this emerging model for genome miniaturization.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- March 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.2011649118
- Bibcode:
- 2021PNAS..11811649L