Tracking the distribution and burst of nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences (Numts) in fig wasp genomes

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA sequences can be transferred into the nuclear genome, giving rise to nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences (NUMTs). NUMTs have been described in numerous eukaryotes. However, the studies on the distribution of NUMTs and its influencing factors are still inadequate and even controversial. Previous studies have suggested that Hymenoptera may be a group rich in NUMTs, in which we selected 11 species of fig wasps (Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) to analyze the distribution and evolution of NUMTs at the genomic level. The results showed that the contents of NUMTs varied greatly in these species, and bursts of NUMTs existed in some species or lineages. Further detailed analyses showed that the large number of NUMTs might be related to the large genomes; NUMTs tended to be inserted into unstable regions of the genomes; and the inserted NUMTs might also be affected by transposable elements (TEs) in the neighbors, leading to fragmentations and duplications, followed by bursts of NUMTs. In summary, our results suggest that a variety of genomic environmental factors can determine the insertion and post-insertion fate of NUMTs, resulting in their species-or lineage-specific distribution patterns, and that studying the evolution of NUMTs can provide good evidence and theoretical basis for exploring the dynamics of exogenous DNA entering into the nuclear genome.