Mitochondrial genome analysis of Asparagus cochinchinensis and insights into the genetic basis of its medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a well-known medicinal herb native to East Asia, appreciated for its therapeutic effects, nutritional value, and cosmetic uses such as skin whitening. Despite its wide-ranging ecological adaptability and economic importance, in-depth genomic research, especially focusing on its organellar genomes, remains insufficient. In this research, we performed comprehensive sequencing, de novo assembly, and functional annotation of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of A. cochinchinensis . The mitogenome consists of three independent circular chromosomes measuring 327,009 bp, 175,491 bp, and 83,175 bp, summing to 585,675 bp with a GC content of 45.83%. Gene annotation revealed 61 genes, including 38 coding for proteins, 20 for transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 3 for ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). Simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiling detected 170 loci, predominantly composed of mononucleotide repeats (70 loci, accounting for 41.18%). Additionally, analysis uncovered 13 orthologous DNA fragments (totaling 6,744 bp) indicating genetic material transfer between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes; the largest of these fragments, designated MTPT6, spans 2,170 bp. The mitogenome of A. cochinchinensis , shaped by long-term adaptation to diverse environmental pressures, provides critical insights into its survival strategies and enriches our understanding of mitochondrial genome evolution in flowering plants.