Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.): Genome Structure and Comparative Analysis

Clusterbean ( L.), also known as guar, belongs to the family Leguminosae, and is an annual herbaceous legume. Guar is the main source of galactomannan for gas mining industries. In the present study, the draft chloroplast genome of clusterbean was generated and compared to some of the previously reported legume chloroplast genomes. The chloroplast genome of clusterbean is 152,530 bp in length, with a quadripartite structure consisting of large single copy (LSC) and small single copy (SSC) of 83,025 bp and 17,879 bp in size, respectively, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,790 bp in size. The chloroplast genome contains 114 unique genes, which includes 78 protein coding genes, 30 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs genes, and 2 pseudogenes. It also harbors a 50 kb inversion, typical of the Leguminosae family. The IR region of the clusterbean chloroplast genome has undergone an expansion, and hence, the whole gene is included in the IR, as compared to other legume plastid genomes. A total of 220 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected in the clusterbean plastid genome. The analysis of the clusterbean plastid genome will provide useful insights for evolutionary, molecular and genetic engineering studies.