# Mitochondrial genomic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of a brewing fungus, Rhizopus microsporus Tiegh. 1875 (Mucorales: Rhizopodaceae)

## TL;DR

This paper analyzes the mitochondrial genome of Rhizopus microsporus, a fungus used in brewing, and compares it with other fungi to understand its evolutionary relationships.

## Contribution

The study provides the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence for R. microsporus and its phylogenetic analysis.

## Key findings

- The mitochondrial genome of R. microsporus is 43,837 bp in size with 24.93% GC content.
- The genome includes 14 core protein-coding genes, 3 independent ORFs, and 24 tRNAs.
- Phylogenetic analysis shows R. microsporus is most closely related to Rhizopus oryzae.

## Abstract

Rhizopus microsporus Tiegh. 1875 is widely used in a variety of industries, such as brewing, wine making, baking, and medicine production, as it has the capability to break down proteins and generate surface-active agents. To date, the mitochondrial genome features of early evolved fungi from the Rhizopus genus have not been extensively studied. Our research obtained a full mitochondrial genome of R. microsporus species, which was 43,837 bp in size and had a GC content of 24.93%. This genome contained 14 core protein-coding genes, 3 independent ORFs, 7 intronic ORFs, 24 tRNAs, and 2 rRNA genes. Through the use of the BI phylogenetic inference method, we were able to create phylogenetic trees for 25 early differentiation fungi which strongly supported the major clades; this indicated that R. microsporus is most closely related to Rhizopus oryzae.