# Comprehensive Genomic Dataset of Chinese Lizardtail Herb and Comparative Genomic Analysis Provide Insights Into Its Paleo‐Polyploidization Event

## TL;DR

This study provides a detailed genome of the Chinese lizardtail herb and reveals ancient genome duplication events that shaped its evolution.

## Contribution

The study identifies a paleo-tetraploidization event and its impact on gene family expansion in Saururus chinensis.

## Key findings

- The genome of Saururus chinensis shows evidence of a paleo-tetraploidization event.
- Chromosome fusion events led to an aneuploid paleo-tetraploid state in the genome.
- The PEL gene family expanded due to the paleo-tetraploidization, possibly aiding evolutionary adaptability.

## Abstract

The Chinese lizardtail herb, Saururus chinensis, holds a prominent position in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we present a comprehensive genomic dataset for S. chinensis. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis indicates that the extant genome of S. chinensis retains extensive traces of a paleo‐tetraploidization event. These traces are observable at both the macroscopic level of chromosomes and the microscopic level within specific gene families, such as the PEL (pseudo‐etiolation in light) gene family. Additionally, our findings further suggest that this paleo‐tetraploidization event drives an expansion of the PEL gene family in the S. chinensis genome, potentially facilitating its neo‐ and sub‐functionalization, and thereby contributing to the evolutionary adaptability of this species.

In this study, we provided a comprehensive genomic dataset for S. chinensis. Additionally, we observed that the S. chinensis genome underwent a paleo‐tetraploidization event, followed by several chromosome fusion events, resulting in an aneuploid paleo‐tetraploid state in its current genomic structure. Furthermore, we also observed that this paleo‐tetraploidization event facilitated an expansion of the PEL family within the S. chinensis genome.