CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHLOROPLAST GENOME OF AQUILARIA CRASSNA PIERRE EX LECOMTE DISTRIBUTED IN VIETNAM USING LONG-READ DATA (OXFORD NANOPORE TECHNOLOGIES)

Abstract

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte is a critically endangered species that is famous for its fragrance compounds for perfume and incense production. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. crassna was sequenced using a long-read sequencing method of Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The complete chloroplast genome of A. crassna was 174,766 bp in length, which comprised a large single copy region of 87,231 bp, a small single copy region of 3,343 bp, and two inverted repeat regions of 42,096 bp. This genome contained 95 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. The analysis of small single repeats revealed 39 mononucleotide and seven dinucleotide repeats, which are located mainly in non-coding regions. Comparative genomic analysis exhibited high conservation of the chloroplast genome within the Aquilaria genus regarding gene content, gene order, and genomic structure. This study provides useful genomic data for further studies examining the genetic population, genetic conservation, molecular markers, and phylogeny of Aquilaria crassna and related species within Thymelaeaceae.