Submitted:
10 February 2026
Posted:
11 February 2026
You are already at the latest version
Abstract
The lack of reference genomes for non-model species hinders our understanding of aluminum (Al) tolerance and accumulation. We present the first high-quality genome assembly of Qualea grandiflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae), an Al-accumulating species endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado. Multi-omics analyses (transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic) reveal that Al is essential for its growth and development. Using a paired-end library and ABySS v2.0, we assembled a genome containing 38,034 annotated genes (63.1% "complete"). Functional annotation via SwissProt/KOG and Blast2GO identified 11 gene families linked to Al response, including ALMT, MATE, ABC, and NRAT1. GO analysis further highlighted enriched processes related to Al metabolism, notably SAM synthetase genes upregulated in roots, which are critical for DNA/RNA methylation and cell wall formation. By establishing Q. grandiflora as a genomic model for native Al hyperaccumulation species, this study provides a foundational resource for researching detoxification and ecological adaptations in metallophytes. The annotated sequence is available via NCBI (BioProject PRJNA786741), supported by leaf transcriptomic data from PRJNA358394.
Keywords:
aluminium
; Cerrado
; genomics
; Qualea grandiflora
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