@article{8,
  keywords = {genome, fatty acid, seed coat color, species, Chia},
  author = {Le Wang and May Lee and Fei Sun and Zhuojun Song and Zituo Yang and Gen Yue},
  title = {A chromosome-level genome assembly of chia provides insights into high omega-3 content and coat color variation of its seeds},
  abstract = {<p>Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a functional food crop for humans. Although its seeds contain high omega-3 fatty acids, the seed yield of chia is still low. Genomic resources available for this plant are limited. We report the first high-quality chromosome-level genome sequence of chia. The assembled genome size was 347.6 Mb&nbsp;and covered 98.1% of the estimated genome size. A total of 31 069 protein-coding genes were predicted. The absence of recent whole-genome duplication&nbsp;and the relatively low intensity of transposable element&nbsp;expansion&nbsp;in chia compared to its sister species&nbsp;contribute&nbsp;to its small genome size. Transcriptome sequencing and gene duplication analysis reveal&nbsp;that the expansion of the fab2 gene family is likely to be related to the high content of omega-3 in seeds. The white seed coat color is determined by a single locus on chromosome 4. This study provides novel insights into the evolution of Salvia species and high omega-3 content, as well as valuable genomic resources for genetic improvement of important commercial traits of chia and its related species.</p>
},
  year = {2022},
  journal = {Plant Communications},
  volume = {3},
  number = {4},
  pages = {100326},
  issn = {2590-3462},
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590346222000761},
  doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100326},
  note = {Focus Issue on Bioinformatic Tools & Databases},
}