Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Abstract Background Whole mitochondrial genomes are quickly becoming markers of choice for the exploration of within-species genealogical and among-species phylogenetic relationships. Most often, ‘primer walking’ or ‘long PCR’ strategies plus Sanger sequencing or low-pass whole genome sequencing usi...

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Main Authors: J. Antonio Baeza, F. J. García-De León
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-04-01
Series:BMC Genomics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-022-08482-z
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author J. Antonio Baeza
F. J. García-De León
author_facet J. Antonio Baeza
F. J. García-De León
author_sort J. Antonio Baeza
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Whole mitochondrial genomes are quickly becoming markers of choice for the exploration of within-species genealogical and among-species phylogenetic relationships. Most often, ‘primer walking’ or ‘long PCR’ strategies plus Sanger sequencing or low-pass whole genome sequencing using Illumina short reads are used for the assembling of mitochondrial chromosomes. In this study, we first confirmed that mitochondrial genomes can be sequenced from long reads using nanopore sequencing data exclusively. Next, we examined the accuracy of the long-reads assembled mitochondrial chromosomes when comparing them to a ‘gold’ standard reference mitochondrial chromosome assembled using Illumina short-reads sequencing. Results Using a specialized bioinformatics tool, we first produced a short-reads mitochondrial genome assembly for the silky shark C. falciformis with an average base coverage of 9.8x. The complete mitochondrial genome of C. falciformis was 16,705 bp in length and 934 bp shorter than a previously assembled genome (17,639 bp in length) that used bioinformatics tools not specialized for the assembly of mitochondrial chromosomes. Next, low-pass whole genome sequencing using a MinION ONT pocket-sized platform plus customized de-novo and reference-based workflows assembled and circularized a highly accurate mitochondrial genome in the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis. Indels at the flanks of homopolymer regions explained most of the dissimilarities observed between the ‘gold’ standard reference mitochondrial genome (assembled using Illumina short reads) and each of the long-reads mitochondrial genome assemblies. Although not completely accurate, mitophylogenomics and barcoding analyses (using entire mitogenomes and the D-Loop/Control Region, respectively) suggest that long-reads assembled mitochondrial genomes are reliable for identifying a sequenced individual, such as C. falciformis, and separating the same individual from others belonging to closely related congeneric species. Conclusions This study confirms that mitochondrial genomes can be sequenced from long-reads nanopore sequencing data exclusively. With further development, nanopore technology can be used to quickly test in situ mislabeling in the shark fin fishing industry and thus, improve surveillance protocols, law enforcement, and the regulation of this fishery. This study will also assist with the transferring of high-throughput sequencing technology to middle- and low-income countries so that international scientists can explore population genomics in sharks using inclusive research strategies. Lastly, we recommend assembling mitochondrial genomes using specialized assemblers instead of other assemblers developed for bacterial and/or nuclear genomes.
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spelling doaj.art-f9dccf45c28641f4b42d1e6f5e1871cb2022-12-22T01:16:04ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642022-04-0123111810.1186/s12864-022-08482-zAre we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformisJ. Antonio Baeza0F. J. García-De León1Department of Biological Sciences, 132 Long Hall, Clemson UniversityLaboratorio de Genética para la Conservación, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C.Abstract Background Whole mitochondrial genomes are quickly becoming markers of choice for the exploration of within-species genealogical and among-species phylogenetic relationships. Most often, ‘primer walking’ or ‘long PCR’ strategies plus Sanger sequencing or low-pass whole genome sequencing using Illumina short reads are used for the assembling of mitochondrial chromosomes. In this study, we first confirmed that mitochondrial genomes can be sequenced from long reads using nanopore sequencing data exclusively. Next, we examined the accuracy of the long-reads assembled mitochondrial chromosomes when comparing them to a ‘gold’ standard reference mitochondrial chromosome assembled using Illumina short-reads sequencing. Results Using a specialized bioinformatics tool, we first produced a short-reads mitochondrial genome assembly for the silky shark C. falciformis with an average base coverage of 9.8x. The complete mitochondrial genome of C. falciformis was 16,705 bp in length and 934 bp shorter than a previously assembled genome (17,639 bp in length) that used bioinformatics tools not specialized for the assembly of mitochondrial chromosomes. Next, low-pass whole genome sequencing using a MinION ONT pocket-sized platform plus customized de-novo and reference-based workflows assembled and circularized a highly accurate mitochondrial genome in the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis. Indels at the flanks of homopolymer regions explained most of the dissimilarities observed between the ‘gold’ standard reference mitochondrial genome (assembled using Illumina short reads) and each of the long-reads mitochondrial genome assemblies. Although not completely accurate, mitophylogenomics and barcoding analyses (using entire mitogenomes and the D-Loop/Control Region, respectively) suggest that long-reads assembled mitochondrial genomes are reliable for identifying a sequenced individual, such as C. falciformis, and separating the same individual from others belonging to closely related congeneric species. Conclusions This study confirms that mitochondrial genomes can be sequenced from long-reads nanopore sequencing data exclusively. With further development, nanopore technology can be used to quickly test in situ mislabeling in the shark fin fishing industry and thus, improve surveillance protocols, law enforcement, and the regulation of this fishery. This study will also assist with the transferring of high-throughput sequencing technology to middle- and low-income countries so that international scientists can explore population genomics in sharks using inclusive research strategies. Lastly, we recommend assembling mitochondrial genomes using specialized assemblers instead of other assemblers developed for bacterial and/or nuclear genomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-022-08482-zLong-read sequencingNanoporeElasmobranch
spellingShingle J. Antonio Baeza
F. J. García-De León
Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
BMC Genomics
Long-read sequencing
Nanopore
Elasmobranch
title Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
title_full Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
title_fullStr Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
title_full_unstemmed Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
title_short Are we there yet? Benchmarking low-coverage nanopore long-read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis
title_sort are we there yet benchmarking low coverage nanopore long read sequencing for the assembling of mitochondrial genomes using the vulnerable silky shark carcharhinus falciformis
topic Long-read sequencing
Nanopore
Elasmobranch
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-022-08482-z
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