The gap-free genome of mulberry elucidates the architecture and evolution of polycentric chromosomes

Abstract Mulberry is a fundamental component of the global sericulture industry, and its positive impact on our health environment cannot be overstated. However, mulberry reference genomes reported previously remained unassembled or unplaced sequences. Here, we report assembly analysis telomere-to-telomere gap-free genome species, Morus notabilis, which has emerged as an important in gene function research genetic improvement. The produced here provides unprecedented opportunity for us to study structure centromeres. Our results revealed that all centromeric regions share conserved satellite repeats with different copies. Strikingly, found M. notabilis species polycentric chromosomes only chromosome up now. We propose compelling model explains formation mechanism new centromeres addresses unsolved scientific question fusion-fission cycle species. sheds light functional genomics, evolution, improvement