National Honam Regional Center for Biological Resources Completes Full Genome Sequencing of Gaetdaechu

Securing Basic Data for Climate Change Response and Biodiversity Research

The National Institute of Biological Resources in the Honam region, under the Ministry of Environment, has for the first time in the world analyzed the genome of the rare plant Paliurus ramosissimus (Gaetdae-chu), native to Jeju Island, at the chromosome level, securing important foundational data for biodiversity conservation research in response to climate change.

Paliurus ramosissimus (scientific name: Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir.) is a tree with strong vitality that endures well even in high-salinity environments, as its name "Gaetdae-chu," meaning "jujube tree growing by the sea," suggests. It currently grows naturally in about 10 locations on Jeju Island and was designated as an endangered wild plant in 2005 but was removed from the list in 2012 due to restoration efforts.

Jeju Island rare plant, Gaetdaechu tree. Provided by the National Honam Biological Resources Center

As an important plant representing the biodiversity of Jeju’s coastal ecosystem, Gaetdae-chu faces increasing risks of habitat destruction due to coastal road construction and land reclamation, raising the need for long-term conservation research. Accordingly, the National Institute of Biological Resources in the Honam region conducted genome decoding research on Gaetdae-chu as part of efforts to secure genomic information of species threatened with extinction due to climate change.

The Gaetdae-chu genome consists of approximately 319 million (319Mb) base pairs, contained within 12 chromosomes. Through this analysis, a total of 30,458 genes were discovered, including many antioxidant enzyme genes related to environmental stress resistance. This provides important clues explaining why Gaetdae-chu has adapted to high-salinity environments.

The research team plans to analyze the genetic diversity of Gaetdae-chu to develop conservation strategies for the native populations in Jeju and will additionally analyze the genomes of closely related plants such as Meokneon-chul and Kkamagwi-begae. Through this, they aim to elucidate the evolutionary processes and environmental adaptation mechanisms of these plants.

Kim Chang-gyun, head of the Island Biological Resources Research Division at the National Institute of Biological Resources in the Honam region, stated, “To protect island and coastal species threatened by climate change and indiscriminate development, we will secure genetic information of various species and strengthen conservation research based on this data.”