Why assembling plant genome sequences is so challenging.
In spite of the biological and economic importance of plants, relatively few plant species have been sequenced. Only the genome sequence of plants with relatively small genomes, most of them angiosperms, in particular eudicots, has been determined. The arrival of next-generation sequencing technologies has allowed the rapid and efficient development of new genomic resources for non-model or orphan plant species. But the sequencing pace of plants is far from that of animals and microorganisms. This review focuses on the typical challenges of plant genomes that can explain why plant genomics is less developed than animal genomics. Explanations about the impact of some confounding factors emerging from the nature of plant genomes are given. As a result of these challenges and confounding factors, the correct assembly and annotation of plant genomes is hindered, genome drafts are produced, and advances in plant genomics are delayed.
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. claros@uma.es.
Manuel Gonzalo
MG
Claros
Bioinformatics Andalusian Platform, Bio-innovation Building, University of Malaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain. rociobm@uma.es.
Rocío
R
Bautista
Bioinformatics Andalusian Platform, Bio-innovation Building, University of Malaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain. dariogf@uma.es.
Darío
D
Guerrero-Fernández
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. bhicham538@gmail.com.
Hicham
H
Benzerki
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. seoanezonjic@uma.es.
Pedro
P
Seoane
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. noefp@uma.es.
Noé
N
Fernández-Pozo