Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.6, 237-244 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 245 Review Article Open Access Chromosome Rearrangements and Genome Evolution in Hexaploid Wheat Yali Wang, Chunxiang Ma Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: chunxiang.ma@cuixi.org Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.6 doi: 10.5376/tgg.2025.16.0026 Received: 06 Sep., 2025 Accepted: 23 Oct., 2025 Published: 06 Nov., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wang and Ma, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang Y.L., and Ma C.X., 2025, Chromosome rearrangements and genome evolution in hexaploid wheat, Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 16(6): 237-244 (doi: 10.5376/tgg.2025.16.0026) Abstract Triticum aestivum(AABBDD) is an important staple food crop worldwide. Its evolutionary history is complex, having undergone multiple polyploidy events and extensive chromosomal rearrangements. This study provides an overview of the structural characteristics of the hexaploid wheat genome and the functional differentiation among the A, B, and D subgenomes. It conducts a detailed analysis of the types of chromosomal rearrangements and their driving mechanisms, with a focus on the roles of homologous recombination and transposition elements. Meanwhile, this study also emphasizes the impact of chromosomal structural variations on gene expression regulation, adaptive evolution, and trait diversification, especially the significance driven by both natural selection and artificial breeding. Through case analysis, it demonstrates the practical application value of chromosomal rearrangement, such as the fusion process of the A, B, and D genomes. And the wide application of wheat-rye translocation lines such as 1BL/1RS in disease-resistant breeding. By revealing the relationship between chromosomal structure and functional genomes, this study is expected to promote molecular design breeding of high-yield and stress-resistant wheat varieties. Keywords Hexaploid wheat; Chromosomal rearrangement; Genomic evolution; Structural variation; Polyploidization 1 Introduction Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) did not emerge suddenly from A single mutation. Instead, it underwent a series of complex natural hybridization and polyploidization processes before finally developing the current AABBDD structure containing three subgenomes A, B, and D (Zhang et al., 2021). During this process, A and B originated from tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum, AABB), while the D genome was later introduced through hybridization with Aegilops tauschii (DD). This long and repetitive evolutionary path has enabled hexaploid wheat to accumulate a rich genetic background and has also made it occupy an extremely important position among the major crops worldwide (Liu et al., 2025). However, the genomic structure of wheat is not static. In addition to polyploidy, chromosomal translocations, inversions, centromeric relocations and other seemingly "chaotic" changes have also been pushing it forward (Zhao et al., 2023). Sometimes, these structural changes can cause fluctuations in gene expression; Sometimes, they may affect the recombination frequency and even agronomic traits, such as disease resistance or adaptability (Huo et al., 2018; Lv et al., 2023). Of course, not all variations bring benefits, but it is precisely these constantly adjusting processes that have shaped the form of wheat that we see today. To truly understand the significance of these structural changes, especially those that "subtly" influence the direction of breeding, delving into the mechanisms behind chromosomal rearrangements is an indispensable and crucial step. This study will systematically explore the types, mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of chromosomal rearrangements in hexaploid wheat, integrate the latest progress in fields such as genome assembly, comparative genomics and multi-omics analysis, summarize the polyploid origin of wheat, and describe in detail the changes in chromosomal structure and their impact on genomic function and breeding potential. By clarifying the role of chromosomal rearrangement in the evolution of wheat genomes, this study provides strong support for the genetic improvement and sustainable production of wheat in the future.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==