2026-08-06 ロックフェラー大学
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.rockefeller.edu/news/40239-first-complete-songbird-genome-reveals-hidden-biology/
- https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(26)00816-0
鳴禽類の完全なゲノム The complete genome of a songbird
Giulio Formenti ∙ Nivesh Jain ∙ Jack A. Medico ∙ … ∙ Paul D. Waters ∙ Jennifer Balacco ∙ Erich D. Jarvis
Cell Published: August 6, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2026.07.018
Highlights
- A phased diploid T2T reference resolves the zebra finch somatic genome
- Complete chromosomes recover 2,710 missing or previously unannotated genes
- Analysis of complete centromeres suggests a CENP-B-like system in birds
- Dot chromosomes and the sex chromosome PAR reveal distinctive organization
Summary
Bird genomes are the smallest among amniotes; however, they remain challenging to assemble due to their structural complexity. This study presents a fully phased diploid telomere-to-telomere reference genome for the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a model organism for neuroscience and evolutionary genomics. Combining sequencing strategies allowed the closing of nearly all gaps, adding ∼90 Mbp of sequence (7.8%). The assembly contains gapless sequences for all microchromosomes, including the elusive dot chromosomes with their distinctive architecture. The genome was comprehensively annotated for genes, repeats, and structural variants. Complete centromeres were identified, along with candidate DNA-binding centromere protein B (CENP-B) homologs, suggesting that birds possess a kinetochore-associated CENP system similar to that of mammals. Relative to the previous reference generated by the Vertebrate Genomes Project, 2,710 (8.13%) previously unassembled or unannotated genes were identified. This complete genome of a songbird serves as a public reference and illuminates avian genome architecture and function.
