The evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascades relay extracellular signals into cells,triggering a variety of cellular responses.We previously revealed NtMPK4 as a positive regulator of ni...The evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascades relay extracellular signals into cells,triggering a variety of cellular responses.We previously revealed NtMPK4 as a positive regulator of nicotine biosynthesis;however,its upstream regulation remains unclear.Here,we characterized a MAPK cascade,comprising NtMEKK1b,NtMPKK2a,and NtMPK4,that promotes nicotine biosynthesis.This signaling module transduces external cues,including jasmonate and pathogen elicitors such as flg22,into post-translational modifications that enhance transcriptional activity and pathway gene expression.NtMPKK2a physically interacts with and phosphorylates NtMPK4 in vivo,confirming its role as an upstream kinase.RNAi-mediated silencing of NtMPKK2a significantly reduced the expression of nicotine pathway genes and decreased nicotine accumulation,whereas induced-overexpression of NtMPKK2a upregulated nicotine pathway genes and increased nicotine contents in tobacco hairy roots.Overexpression of NtMPKK2a in tobacco cells enhanced the transactivation activity of a NIC2-locus Ethylene Response Factor NtERF221 on Putrescine N-methyltransferase(NtPMT)promotor,further supporting its role in promoting nicotine biosynthesis.Furthermore,we identified NtMEKK1b,a tobacco MEKK that interacts with NtMAPKK2a in yeast cells.Knock-down of NtMEKK1b in transgenic tobacco plants attenuated the expression of nicotine pathway genes and reduced nicotine contents,whereas induced-overexpression of NtMEKK1b upregulated gene expression and nicotine accumulation.Our findings uncover a previously uncharacterized MAPK cascade module,NtMEKK1b-NtMPKK2a-NtMPK4,that regulates nicotine biosynthesis,highlighting the importance of posttranslational regulation in nicotine biosynthesis.展开更多
Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmn...Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmness.In this study,we conducted comprehensive identification and phylogenetic analysis of 265 Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase(COMT)genes across ten different plant species,including Vaccinium corymbosum and four other Vaccinium species.The results reveal that VcCOMT38 is a promising structural gene for the biosynthesis of lignin in blueberry.An in vitro enzymatic assay of VcCOMT38 demonstrated that it is a special enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway and prefers to use caffeic acid as a substrate over 5-hydroxyferulic acid.Transient overexpression and silencing of VcCOMT38 in Vaccinium corymbosum‘Northland’fruits demonstrated that VcCOMT38 participates in lignin biosynthesis and contributes to both an increased number of immature seeds and enhanced fruit firmness.The heterologous overexpression of VcCOMT38 in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that this gene could increase the lignin content and the syringyl/guaiacyl(S/G)ratio,which determines the maximum monomer yield during lignin depolymerization.These results highlight VcCOMT38 as a crucial gene in lignin biosynthesis and its potential for improving lignin production in industry through genetically modified woody plants.展开更多
Lodging is a major constraint limiting oil flax production efficiency in northern China.Crop lodging susceptibility is closely related to stem lignin content,and the regulatory mechanisms by which nitrogen and potassi...Lodging is a major constraint limiting oil flax production efficiency in northern China.Crop lodging susceptibility is closely related to stem lignin content,and the regulatory mechanisms by which nitrogen and potassium fertilization interactively influence lignin biosynthesis in oil flax stems require further investigation.Therefore,this study aimed to enhance lodging resistance and increase grain yield in oil flax.We examined the interactive effects of different nitrogen (75,150,and 225 kg N ha^(–1)) and potassium (60 and 90 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1)) fertilizer rates on lignin metabolism,lodging resistance,and grain yield during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons.Results indicated that nitrogen and potassium fertilizer levels and their interactions promoted lignin accumulation,improved lodging resistance,and increased grain yield.Compared to the control (CK),the75–150 kg N ha^(–1) combined with 60 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1) treatments significantly enhanced the activities of key lignin-synthesizing enzymes (tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL),phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL),cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD),and peroxidase (POD)) and upregulated the expression of 4CL1 and F5H3 genes,leading to a 29.63–43.30%increase in lignin content,improved stem bending strength and lodging resistance index,and a 23.27–32.34%increase in grain yield.Correlation analysis revealed that nitrogen and potassium fertilizers positively regulated enzyme activities and gene expression related to lignin biosynthesis,thereby facilitating lignin accumulation and enhancing stem mechanical strength and lodging resistance.Positive correlations were observed among lignin-related enzyme activities,gene expression,lodging resistance traits,and grain yield.In summary,the application of 75–150 kg N ha^(–1) in conjunction with 60 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1)promoted lignin biosynthesis and accumulation,enhanced lodging resistance,and increased grain yield in oil flax grown in the dryland farming region of central Gansu,China.Furthermore,this treatment provides a technical basis for cultivating stress-tolerant and high-yield oil flax in arid regions.展开更多
The yam Dioscorea alata L.is widely cultivated globally.Purple-fleshed varieties of this important crop have enhanced market value due to their high anthocyanin contents,but how anthocyanin biosynthesis in D.alata tub...The yam Dioscorea alata L.is widely cultivated globally.Purple-fleshed varieties of this important crop have enhanced market value due to their high anthocyanin contents,but how anthocyanin biosynthesis in D.alata tubers is regulated remains poorly understood.In this study,we identified and functionally validated key transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis based on a comparative transcriptome and metabolome analysis of three D.alata cultivars with different colored tubers(dark purple,light purple,and white).The anthocyanin glycoside cyanidin-3-O-(2′′-O-glucosyl)glucoside was abundant during early tuber development,and we determined that its accumulation is regulated in opposite manners by two R2R3-MYB transcription factors:DaMYB75 and DaMYB56.Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays in Nicotiana benthamiana and co-expression assays in D.alata demonstrated that DaMYB75 promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis by specifically activating the promoter of the late anthocyanin biosynthesis gene DaANS and enhancing its expression through an interaction with DabHLH72.By contrast,DaMYB56 is a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis that binds to the DaANS promoter together with DabHLH72.Furthermore,the methylation levels of the DaMYB75 promoter were significantly lower in purple tubers than in white tubers.These findings shed light on the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis by MYBs and provide the basis for genetically improving anthocyanin content in D.alata.展开更多
Iris domestica,a perennial herb of the Iridaceae family,is widely recognized for its rich isoflavone content and broad therapeutic properties.To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of these medicinally significant comp...Iris domestica,a perennial herb of the Iridaceae family,is widely recognized for its rich isoflavone content and broad therapeutic properties.To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of these medicinally significant compounds,we constructed a haplotype-resolved genome assembly of this species.Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed tissue-specific accumulation of isoflavone,particularly in rhizomes and roots.Functional characterization identified two candidate isoflavone synthase genes,among which IdIFS was confirmed to promote the biosynthesis of key compounds tectorigenin and irisflorentin.The high-quality genome assembly presented here provides a foundational resource for further research into the evolution,secondary metabolite,and environmental adaptation of I.domestica.展开更多
Saikosaponins are the major pharmacologically active components in Bupleurum genus and exhibit significant application potential in multiple fields such as immune regulation and anti-tumor activity.To elucidate the bi...Saikosaponins are the major pharmacologically active components in Bupleurum genus and exhibit significant application potential in multiple fields such as immune regulation and anti-tumor activity.To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of saikosaponins,we identified two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases,CYP716A41 and CYP716Y4,in Bupleurum chinense.These enzymes catalyze the C-28 oxidation and C-16 hydroxylation of oleanane-type triterpene skeletons,respectively.The catalytic efficiency of CYP716A41 from a southern B.chinense variety was significantly higher than that from a northern variety.Molecular docking and mutagenesis experiments revealed that amino acid residues at sites 9 and 35 may contribute to this difference in catalytic efficiency.Additionally,under cold stress,the expression levels of both CYP450 genes and the saikosaponin contents in the leaves of southern varieties were significantly higher compared to those in northern varieties.The variation in the catalytic efficiency of CYP716A41 and the differential expression of the two CYP450 genes under cold stress during winter are associated with the differences in saikosaponin biosynthesis in the leaves of southern and northern B.chinense varieties.This is consistent with the distinct medicinal usage practices observed between southern and northern China.展开更多
Flavonoids are crucial secondary metabolites widely distributed in plants,playing vital roles in diverse biological processes.Although the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway has been extensively characterized,the transcri...Flavonoids are crucial secondary metabolites widely distributed in plants,playing vital roles in diverse biological processes.Although the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway has been extensively characterized,the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood.In this study,we identify the miR166–ATHB14-LIKE module comprising the miR166 and its target gene ATHB14-LIKE as a key regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis in soybean(Glycine max).Knockdown of miR166 or overexpression of ATHB14-LIKE upregulated multiple flavonoid biosynthesis genes,leading to increased flavonoid accumulation.Conversely,miR166 overexpression suppressed these genes and reduced flavonoid levels.We further show that ATHB14-LIKE directly activates specific flavonoid biosynthesis genes by binding to their promoters.Additionally,ATHB14-LIKE forms homodimers and heterodimers with homologous proteins to regulate downstream flavonoid biosynthesis genes.Together,our findings demonstrate that the miR166–ATHB14-LIKE module controls soybean flavonoid content by coordinating the expression of key biosynthetic genes.展开更多
Chitin is an abundant aminopolysaccharide found in insect pests and phytopathogenic microorganisms but absent in higher plants and vertebrates. It is crucial for mitigating threats posed by chitin-containing organisms...Chitin is an abundant aminopolysaccharide found in insect pests and phytopathogenic microorganisms but absent in higher plants and vertebrates. It is crucial for mitigating threats posed by chitin-containing organisms to human health, food safety, and agriculture. Therefore, targeting the chitin biosynthesisassociated bioprocess holds a promise for developing human-safe and eco-friendly antifungal agents or pesticides. Chitin biosynthesis requires chitin synthase and associated factors, which are involved in the modification, regulation, organization or turnover of chitin during its biosynthesis. A number of enzymes such as chitinases, hexosaminidases, chitin deacetylases are closely related and therefore are promising targets for designing novel agrochemicals that target at chitin biosynthesis. This review summarizes the advances in understanding chitin biology over the past decade by our research group and collaborates,specifically regarding essential proteins linked to chitin biosynthesis that can be exploited as promising pesticide targets. Examples of small bioactive molecules that against the activity of these targets are given.展开更多
Xylo-oligosaccharides(XOSs)are a category of functional oligosaccharides primarily composed of 2-7 xylose units linked byβ-1,4 glycosidic bonds.They are recognized as soluble dietary fibers with prebiotic properties....Xylo-oligosaccharides(XOSs)are a category of functional oligosaccharides primarily composed of 2-7 xylose units linked byβ-1,4 glycosidic bonds.They are recognized as soluble dietary fibers with prebiotic properties.Recently, there has been significant interest in manufacturing XOSs from xylan extracted from lignocellulosic biomass using enzyme catalysis under mild conditions. In this work, the arabinofuranosidase Abf62A gene was cloned from Aspergillus usamii genomic DNA through sequential molecular processes and expressed in Pichia pastoris X33. The xylan (100 g/L) extracted xylan in wheat straw (WS) was biologically hydrolyzed into 50.32 g/L of XOSs by xylanase Xyn11A (300 U/g substrate) and arabinofuranase Abf62A (20 U/g substrate), which indicated a notable synergistic effect compared to the 34.42 g/L XOSs produced via Xyn11A. The 50.32 g/L of XOSs products comprised xylobiose (31.71 g/L), xylotriose (15.92 g/L), xylotetraose (1.65 g/L) and xylopentaose (1.04 g/L). Notably, the combined content of xylobiose and xylotriose accounted for up to 94.7%. The XOSs purified from the enzyme hydrolysate could effectually scavenge free radicals, and the antioxidant activity was more than 90%. In summary, XOSs were biologically manufactured from wheat straw xylan through the synergistic biocatalysis via xylanase and arabinofuranosidase Abf62A in a green and sustainable way, rending one kind of prebiotic oligosaccharides with substantial positive effects on human and animal health.展开更多
Starch is an essential commodity for humans and other animals.Future demands require qualitative and quantitative improvement by crop and post-harvest engineering that calls for comprehensive actions requiring increas...Starch is an essential commodity for humans and other animals.Future demands require qualitative and quantitative improvement by crop and post-harvest engineering that calls for comprehensive actions requiring increased fundamental knowledge on starch biosynthesis,development of advanced breeding strategies,efficient farming,and well-adapted and up scalable extraction protocols for diverse starch products.Recent staggering progress in molecular breeding techniques,especially genome editing,have enabled generation of higher starch yield and special functional qualities required to support such advancement.However,this necessitates fundamental biochemical and mechanistic understanding of starch biosynthesis and the variegated starch crop germplasms,all of which are closely linked to the relationships between starch molecular structures and functionality of various starch types as directed by the different capabilities of starch crop genotypes.We here review starch biosynthesis and its genetic foundation with a focus on increasing nutritional and health-promoting value of starch especially through bioengineering of the high amylose trait.展开更多
A category of highly fused diterpenoid natural products possessing a characteristic perhydropyrene-like or rearranged tetracyclic skeleton structure are distributed in different life forms.Compared to traditional poly...A category of highly fused diterpenoid natural products possessing a characteristic perhydropyrene-like or rearranged tetracyclic skeleton structure are distributed in different life forms.Compared to traditional polycyclic diterpenoids,their biosynthetic pathways are quite unique and diverse.Chemists have pinpointed a range of this type of unusual diterpenoids:cycloamphilectanes and isocycloamphilectanes,kempenes and rippertanes,hydropyrene and hydropyrenol,along with recently disclosed cephalotanes.This review describes developments in this field and discusses the challenges associated with synthesizing this class of highly complex compounds.展开更多
Cyclocarya paliurus(Batalin)Iljinskaja,as a unique and rare monocotyledonous plant in Southern China,is a promising and economical Chinese herbal medicine and functional food.People have conducted a number of research...Cyclocarya paliurus(Batalin)Iljinskaja,as a unique and rare monocotyledonous plant in Southern China,is a promising and economical Chinese herbal medicine and functional food.People have conducted a number of research on C.paliurus because of its rich triterpenoids.However,no comprehensive review has illustrated the composition and pharmacological activity of triterpenoids from C.paliurus.This review summarizes 177 triterpenoids from different parts of C.paliurus.The structures of compounds were elucidated,and their biosynthesis was inferred.The biological activities of compounds and triterpenoid-rich extracts,including anti-diabetes,antihyperlipidemia,anti-inflammatory,anticancer or cytotoxicity,antioxidation,etc.,were discussed.C.paliurus can be an important and valuable supplement to the food market.This review provides a reference for the further research and application of C.paliurus triterpenoids in the fields of foods and pharmaceuticals.展开更多
Foxtail millet(Setaria italica) is one of the primary multigrain crops originating from China, with a long history of cultivation and significant importance in Chinese farming civilization(Diao 2019). However, the exc...Foxtail millet(Setaria italica) is one of the primary multigrain crops originating from China, with a long history of cultivation and significant importance in Chinese farming civilization(Diao 2019). However, the excessive height of foxtail millet plants makes them susceptible to lodging, severely impacting the yield(Tian et al. 2010;Diao et al. 2024). During the “Green Revolution”, many types of cereals, including rice(Oryza sativa L.) and wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)(Brosius 1991;Peng et al. 1999), were bred to dwarf, resulting in significantly increased yields. Consequently, reducing plant height has become a key breeding objective for foxtail millet.展开更多
Plants possess a hydrophobic layer of wax on their aerial surface,consisting mainly of amorphous intra-cuticular wax and epicuticular wax crystals(Kunst and Samuels,2003).This waxy coating contains a wide variety of v...Plants possess a hydrophobic layer of wax on their aerial surface,consisting mainly of amorphous intra-cuticular wax and epicuticular wax crystals(Kunst and Samuels,2003).This waxy coating contains a wide variety of very-long-chain fatty acids(VLCFAs)and their derivatives,including alkanes,alcohols,aldehydes,esters,and ketones.展开更多
Camptothecin,a plant-derived pentacyclic pyrroloquinoline alkaloid,and its derivatives like topotecan and irinotecan have been used as clinical anticancer agents for decades.However,the complete biosynthetic pathway o...Camptothecin,a plant-derived pentacyclic pyrroloquinoline alkaloid,and its derivatives like topotecan and irinotecan have been used as clinical anticancer agents for decades.However,the complete biosynthetic pathway of camptothecin still remains unelucidated due to the unknown complex formation processes and corresponding enzymes for the downstream biosynthetic pathway including the committed hydrolysis of glycosides.Herein,a novel glycoside hydrolase(CaGH1)responsible for the deglycosylation of biosynthetic glycoside intermediates including both quinoline-type alkaloids pumiloside(1),(3S)-deoxypumiloside(2)and indole-type alkaloid strictosamide(3)has been functionally identified.Moreover,CaGH1 exhibits the highly strict stereoselectivity towards the substrates with 3S configuration.Furthermore,a combined strategy for the discovery of the unknown biosynthetic enzyme by employing activity-guided enzyme verification,transcriptome-based gene mining,biochemical assay in vitro,and structurally characterizing the unstable enzymatic products by derivatization,is reported.These findings not only provide a better understanding of the deglycosylation in camptothecin biosynthesis,also lay the foundation for the complete elucidation of camptothecin biosynthetic pathway and biological production of camptothecin.展开更多
Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication,yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood.Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved sp...Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication,yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood.Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved specialized musk-secreting glands,representing a striking case of convergent evolution.Through an integrated multi-omics approach,this study identified cyclopentadecanone as a shared key metabolic precursor in musk from both forest musk deer and muskrat,although downstream metabolite profiles diverged between the two lineages.Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these specialized apocrine glands possessed unique secretory architecture and exhibited transcriptional profiles associated with periodic musk production,distinct from those in conventional apocrine glands.Convergent features were evident at the cellular level,where acinar,ductal,and basal epithelial subtypes showed parallel molecular signatures across both taxa.Notably,acinar cells in both species expressed common genes involved in fatty acid and glycerolipid metabolism(e.g.,ACSBG1,HSD17B12,HACD2,and HADHA),suggesting a conserved molecular framework for musk precursor biosynthesis.Metagenomic analysis of musk samples further revealed parallel microbial community structures dominated by Corynebacterium and enriched in lipid metabolic pathways.These findings suggest multi-level convergence in musk biosynthesis,from molecular pathways to microbial communities,providing novel insights into mammalian chemical signaling and artificial musk production.展开更多
With the progress of urbanization,rural tourism has emerged as a popular leisure activity in China.The crop field with pattern art has been gaining popularity over the years,using strains with colorful leaves to creat...With the progress of urbanization,rural tourism has emerged as a popular leisure activity in China.The crop field with pattern art has been gaining popularity over the years,using strains with colorful leaves to create various impressive designs(Xu 2024).A lot of successful cases in rice fields have not only attracted tourists but also increased the income of farmers(Song et al.2020).Plants with colorful leaves also have gained significant popularity in ornamental agriculture.Therefore,developing plants with colorful leaves has gained significant popularity in ornamental agriculture.展开更多
In plants, transcription factor (TF) family LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) has been identified to be involved in the ripening and senescence processes of fruits. However, the function of LBD in Hylocereus undat...In plants, transcription factor (TF) family LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) has been identified to be involved in the ripening and senescence processes of fruits. However, the function of LBD in Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose (H. undatus) has not been reported yet. Through transcriptomic analysis, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology, and RT-qPCR validation, we investigated the role of the LBD TFs in the senescence of H. undatus. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HuLBD1 is a key transcription factor of the LBD family regulating H. undatus senescence. After silencing HuLBD1, 5075 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GSEA results showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the phenylpropanoids and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The leading subset of genes in these two pathways included 16 DEGs, with four upregulated genes, HuCHS1-2, HuFLS1, HuCYP75B2, and HuCHS5-2 being central in the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. H. undatus phenotypic experiments confirmed that silencing HuLBD1 significantly increased the flavonoid content in the fruit peel, and RT-qPCR validation showed that the gene expression trends were consistent with the RNA-seq data. The study indicated that HuLBD1 likely delays the fruit senescence process by negatively regulating the expression of four key genes, including HuCHS1-2, thus promoting the synthesis of phenylpropanoids such as flavonoids. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the HuLBD1 TF plays an important role in the senescence of H. undatus fruit, providing a theoretical basis for postharvest senescence control.展开更多
In recent years,cellulose-based fluorescent polymers have received considerable attention.However,conventional modification methods face challenges such as insolubility in most solvents,fluorescence instability,and en...In recent years,cellulose-based fluorescent polymers have received considerable attention.However,conventional modification methods face challenges such as insolubility in most solvents,fluorescence instability,and environmental risks.In this study,a novel biosynthesis strategy was developed to fabricate fluorescent cellulose by adding fluorescent glucose derivatives to a bacterial fermentation broth.The metabolic activity of bacteria is utilized to achieve in situ polymerization of glucose and its derivatives during the synthesis of bacterial cellulose.Owing to the structural similarity between triphenylamine-modified glucose(TPA-Glc N)and glucose monomers,the TPA-Glc N were efficiently assimilated by the bacterial cells and incorporated into the cellulose matrix,resulting in a uniform distribution of fluorescence.The fluorescence color and intensity of the obtained cellulose could be adjusted by varying the amount of the fluorescent glucose derivatives.Compared to the fluorescent cellulose synthesized through physical dyeing,the fluorescence of the products obtained by in situ polymerization showed higher intensity and stability.Furthermore,fluorescent bacterial cellulose can be hydrolyzed into nanocellulose-based ink,which demonstrates exceptional anti-counterfeiting capabilities under UV light.This biosynthesis method not only overcomes the limitations of traditional modification techniques but also highlights the potential of microbial systems as platforms for synthesizing functional polymers.展开更多
The black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum;2n=2x=24)is an important medicinal plant with ecological and economic value.Its fruits have numerous beneficial pharmacological activities,especially those of anthocyanins,polysac...The black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum;2n=2x=24)is an important medicinal plant with ecological and economic value.Its fruits have numerous beneficial pharmacological activities,especially those of anthocyanins,polysaccharides,and alkaloids,and have high nutritional value.However,the lack of available genomic resources for this species has hindered research on its medicinal and evolutionary mechanisms.In this study,we developed the telomere-to-telomere(T2T)nearly gapless genome of L.ruthenicum(2.26 Gb)by integrating PacBio HiFi,Nanopore Ultra-Long,and Hi-C technologies.The assembled genome comprised 12 chromosomes with 37,149 protein-coding genes functionally annotated.Approximately 80%of the repetitive sequences were identified,of which long terminal repeats(LTRs)were the most abundant,accounting for 73.01%.The abundance of LTRs might be the main reason for the larger genome of this species compared to that of other Lycium species.The species-specific genes of L.ruthenicum were related to defense mechanisms,salt tolerance,drought resistance,and oxidative stress,further demonstrating their superior adaptability to arid environments.Based on the assembled genome and fruit transcriptome data,we further constructed an anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and identified 19 candidate structural genes and seven transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in the fruit developmental stage of L.ruthenicum,most of which were highly expressed at a later stage in fruit development.Furthermore,154 potential disease resistance-related nucleotidebinding genes have been identified in the L.ruthenicum genome.The whole-genome and proximal,dispersed,and tandem duplication genes in the L.ruthenicum genome enriched the number of genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis and resistance-related pathways.These results provide an important genetic basis for understanding genome evolution and biosynthesis of pharmacologically active components in the Lycium genus.展开更多
基金supported partially by the Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center(KTRDC),University of Kentucky.
文摘The evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascades relay extracellular signals into cells,triggering a variety of cellular responses.We previously revealed NtMPK4 as a positive regulator of nicotine biosynthesis;however,its upstream regulation remains unclear.Here,we characterized a MAPK cascade,comprising NtMEKK1b,NtMPKK2a,and NtMPK4,that promotes nicotine biosynthesis.This signaling module transduces external cues,including jasmonate and pathogen elicitors such as flg22,into post-translational modifications that enhance transcriptional activity and pathway gene expression.NtMPKK2a physically interacts with and phosphorylates NtMPK4 in vivo,confirming its role as an upstream kinase.RNAi-mediated silencing of NtMPKK2a significantly reduced the expression of nicotine pathway genes and decreased nicotine accumulation,whereas induced-overexpression of NtMPKK2a upregulated nicotine pathway genes and increased nicotine contents in tobacco hairy roots.Overexpression of NtMPKK2a in tobacco cells enhanced the transactivation activity of a NIC2-locus Ethylene Response Factor NtERF221 on Putrescine N-methyltransferase(NtPMT)promotor,further supporting its role in promoting nicotine biosynthesis.Furthermore,we identified NtMEKK1b,a tobacco MEKK that interacts with NtMAPKK2a in yeast cells.Knock-down of NtMEKK1b in transgenic tobacco plants attenuated the expression of nicotine pathway genes and reduced nicotine contents,whereas induced-overexpression of NtMEKK1b upregulated gene expression and nicotine accumulation.Our findings uncover a previously uncharacterized MAPK cascade module,NtMEKK1b-NtMPKK2a-NtMPK4,that regulates nicotine biosynthesis,highlighting the importance of posttranslational regulation in nicotine biosynthesis.
文摘Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmness.In this study,we conducted comprehensive identification and phylogenetic analysis of 265 Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase(COMT)genes across ten different plant species,including Vaccinium corymbosum and four other Vaccinium species.The results reveal that VcCOMT38 is a promising structural gene for the biosynthesis of lignin in blueberry.An in vitro enzymatic assay of VcCOMT38 demonstrated that it is a special enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway and prefers to use caffeic acid as a substrate over 5-hydroxyferulic acid.Transient overexpression and silencing of VcCOMT38 in Vaccinium corymbosum‘Northland’fruits demonstrated that VcCOMT38 participates in lignin biosynthesis and contributes to both an increased number of immature seeds and enhanced fruit firmness.The heterologous overexpression of VcCOMT38 in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that this gene could increase the lignin content and the syringyl/guaiacyl(S/G)ratio,which determines the maximum monomer yield during lignin depolymerization.These results highlight VcCOMT38 as a crucial gene in lignin biosynthesis and its potential for improving lignin production in industry through genetically modified woody plants.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31760363)the Earmarked Fund for CARS (CARS-14-1-16)+1 种基金the Gansu Education Science and Technology Innovation Industry Support Program,China (2021CYZC-38)the Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science,Gansu Agricultural University,China (GSCS-2020-Z6)。
文摘Lodging is a major constraint limiting oil flax production efficiency in northern China.Crop lodging susceptibility is closely related to stem lignin content,and the regulatory mechanisms by which nitrogen and potassium fertilization interactively influence lignin biosynthesis in oil flax stems require further investigation.Therefore,this study aimed to enhance lodging resistance and increase grain yield in oil flax.We examined the interactive effects of different nitrogen (75,150,and 225 kg N ha^(–1)) and potassium (60 and 90 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1)) fertilizer rates on lignin metabolism,lodging resistance,and grain yield during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons.Results indicated that nitrogen and potassium fertilizer levels and their interactions promoted lignin accumulation,improved lodging resistance,and increased grain yield.Compared to the control (CK),the75–150 kg N ha^(–1) combined with 60 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1) treatments significantly enhanced the activities of key lignin-synthesizing enzymes (tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL),phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL),cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD),and peroxidase (POD)) and upregulated the expression of 4CL1 and F5H3 genes,leading to a 29.63–43.30%increase in lignin content,improved stem bending strength and lodging resistance index,and a 23.27–32.34%increase in grain yield.Correlation analysis revealed that nitrogen and potassium fertilizers positively regulated enzyme activities and gene expression related to lignin biosynthesis,thereby facilitating lignin accumulation and enhancing stem mechanical strength and lodging resistance.Positive correlations were observed among lignin-related enzyme activities,gene expression,lodging resistance traits,and grain yield.In summary,the application of 75–150 kg N ha^(–1) in conjunction with 60 kg K_(2)O ha^(–1)promoted lignin biosynthesis and accumulation,enhanced lodging resistance,and increased grain yield in oil flax grown in the dryland farming region of central Gansu,China.Furthermore,this treatment provides a technical basis for cultivating stress-tolerant and high-yield oil flax in arid regions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32460767)Jiangxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program(20232BBF60007)Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation(20224BAB205024).
文摘The yam Dioscorea alata L.is widely cultivated globally.Purple-fleshed varieties of this important crop have enhanced market value due to their high anthocyanin contents,but how anthocyanin biosynthesis in D.alata tubers is regulated remains poorly understood.In this study,we identified and functionally validated key transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis based on a comparative transcriptome and metabolome analysis of three D.alata cultivars with different colored tubers(dark purple,light purple,and white).The anthocyanin glycoside cyanidin-3-O-(2′′-O-glucosyl)glucoside was abundant during early tuber development,and we determined that its accumulation is regulated in opposite manners by two R2R3-MYB transcription factors:DaMYB75 and DaMYB56.Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays in Nicotiana benthamiana and co-expression assays in D.alata demonstrated that DaMYB75 promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis by specifically activating the promoter of the late anthocyanin biosynthesis gene DaANS and enhancing its expression through an interaction with DabHLH72.By contrast,DaMYB56 is a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis that binds to the DaANS promoter together with DabHLH72.Furthermore,the methylation levels of the DaMYB75 promoter were significantly lower in purple tubers than in white tubers.These findings shed light on the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis by MYBs and provide the basis for genetically improving anthocyanin content in D.alata.
文摘Iris domestica,a perennial herb of the Iridaceae family,is widely recognized for its rich isoflavone content and broad therapeutic properties.To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of these medicinally significant compounds,we constructed a haplotype-resolved genome assembly of this species.Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed tissue-specific accumulation of isoflavone,particularly in rhizomes and roots.Functional characterization identified two candidate isoflavone synthase genes,among which IdIFS was confirmed to promote the biosynthesis of key compounds tectorigenin and irisflorentin.The high-quality genome assembly presented here provides a foundational resource for further research into the evolution,secondary metabolite,and environmental adaptation of I.domestica.
基金supported by CARS(CARS-21),the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2021-I2M-1-032)the Science and Technology Department of Xizang(XZ202401ZY0020)+2 种基金the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province(2023YFH0044,2023YFH0018)the Sichuan Province Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars(2022JDJQ0006)the Doctoral Fund of Southwest University of Science and Technology(19ZX7117,21ZX7116).
文摘Saikosaponins are the major pharmacologically active components in Bupleurum genus and exhibit significant application potential in multiple fields such as immune regulation and anti-tumor activity.To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of saikosaponins,we identified two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases,CYP716A41 and CYP716Y4,in Bupleurum chinense.These enzymes catalyze the C-28 oxidation and C-16 hydroxylation of oleanane-type triterpene skeletons,respectively.The catalytic efficiency of CYP716A41 from a southern B.chinense variety was significantly higher than that from a northern variety.Molecular docking and mutagenesis experiments revealed that amino acid residues at sites 9 and 35 may contribute to this difference in catalytic efficiency.Additionally,under cold stress,the expression levels of both CYP450 genes and the saikosaponin contents in the leaves of southern varieties were significantly higher compared to those in northern varieties.The variation in the catalytic efficiency of CYP716A41 and the differential expression of the two CYP450 genes under cold stress during winter are associated with the differences in saikosaponin biosynthesis in the leaves of southern and northern B.chinense varieties.This is consistent with the distinct medicinal usage practices observed between southern and northern China.
基金the Projects of Science and Technology of Shanghai(22N11900400)Key Projects of Beijing Institute of Life Science and Technology(2024400CB0050)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(32488102)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA24030303)。
文摘Flavonoids are crucial secondary metabolites widely distributed in plants,playing vital roles in diverse biological processes.Although the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway has been extensively characterized,the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood.In this study,we identify the miR166–ATHB14-LIKE module comprising the miR166 and its target gene ATHB14-LIKE as a key regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis in soybean(Glycine max).Knockdown of miR166 or overexpression of ATHB14-LIKE upregulated multiple flavonoid biosynthesis genes,leading to increased flavonoid accumulation.Conversely,miR166 overexpression suppressed these genes and reduced flavonoid levels.We further show that ATHB14-LIKE directly activates specific flavonoid biosynthesis genes by binding to their promoters.Additionally,ATHB14-LIKE forms homodimers and heterodimers with homologous proteins to regulate downstream flavonoid biosynthesis genes.Together,our findings demonstrate that the miR166–ATHB14-LIKE module controls soybean flavonoid content by coordinating the expression of key biosynthetic genes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFD1700200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 32161133010, 3230170969)+1 种基金the Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (No. KQTD20180411143628272)the Special Funds for Science Technology Innovation and Industrial Development of Shenzhen Dapeng New District (No. PT202101–02)。
文摘Chitin is an abundant aminopolysaccharide found in insect pests and phytopathogenic microorganisms but absent in higher plants and vertebrates. It is crucial for mitigating threats posed by chitin-containing organisms to human health, food safety, and agriculture. Therefore, targeting the chitin biosynthesisassociated bioprocess holds a promise for developing human-safe and eco-friendly antifungal agents or pesticides. Chitin biosynthesis requires chitin synthase and associated factors, which are involved in the modification, regulation, organization or turnover of chitin during its biosynthesis. A number of enzymes such as chitinases, hexosaminidases, chitin deacetylases are closely related and therefore are promising targets for designing novel agrochemicals that target at chitin biosynthesis. This review summarizes the advances in understanding chitin biology over the past decade by our research group and collaborates,specifically regarding essential proteins linked to chitin biosynthesis that can be exploited as promising pesticide targets. Examples of small bioactive molecules that against the activity of these targets are given.
文摘Xylo-oligosaccharides(XOSs)are a category of functional oligosaccharides primarily composed of 2-7 xylose units linked byβ-1,4 glycosidic bonds.They are recognized as soluble dietary fibers with prebiotic properties.Recently, there has been significant interest in manufacturing XOSs from xylan extracted from lignocellulosic biomass using enzyme catalysis under mild conditions. In this work, the arabinofuranosidase Abf62A gene was cloned from Aspergillus usamii genomic DNA through sequential molecular processes and expressed in Pichia pastoris X33. The xylan (100 g/L) extracted xylan in wheat straw (WS) was biologically hydrolyzed into 50.32 g/L of XOSs by xylanase Xyn11A (300 U/g substrate) and arabinofuranase Abf62A (20 U/g substrate), which indicated a notable synergistic effect compared to the 34.42 g/L XOSs produced via Xyn11A. The 50.32 g/L of XOSs products comprised xylobiose (31.71 g/L), xylotriose (15.92 g/L), xylotetraose (1.65 g/L) and xylopentaose (1.04 g/L). Notably, the combined content of xylobiose and xylotriose accounted for up to 94.7%. The XOSs purified from the enzyme hydrolysate could effectually scavenge free radicals, and the antioxidant activity was more than 90%. In summary, XOSs were biologically manufactured from wheat straw xylan through the synergistic biocatalysis via xylanase and arabinofuranosidase Abf62A in a green and sustainable way, rending one kind of prebiotic oligosaccharides with substantial positive effects on human and animal health.
文摘Starch is an essential commodity for humans and other animals.Future demands require qualitative and quantitative improvement by crop and post-harvest engineering that calls for comprehensive actions requiring increased fundamental knowledge on starch biosynthesis,development of advanced breeding strategies,efficient farming,and well-adapted and up scalable extraction protocols for diverse starch products.Recent staggering progress in molecular breeding techniques,especially genome editing,have enabled generation of higher starch yield and special functional qualities required to support such advancement.However,this necessitates fundamental biochemical and mechanistic understanding of starch biosynthesis and the variegated starch crop germplasms,all of which are closely linked to the relationships between starch molecular structures and functionality of various starch types as directed by the different capabilities of starch crop genotypes.We here review starch biosynthesis and its genetic foundation with a focus on increasing nutritional and health-promoting value of starch especially through bioengineering of the high amylose trait.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22471224)。
文摘A category of highly fused diterpenoid natural products possessing a characteristic perhydropyrene-like or rearranged tetracyclic skeleton structure are distributed in different life forms.Compared to traditional polycyclic diterpenoids,their biosynthetic pathways are quite unique and diverse.Chemists have pinpointed a range of this type of unusual diterpenoids:cycloamphilectanes and isocycloamphilectanes,kempenes and rippertanes,hydropyrene and hydropyrenol,along with recently disclosed cephalotanes.This review describes developments in this field and discusses the challenges associated with synthesizing this class of highly complex compounds.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31960090,32160562)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20224BAB215046)the Project Program of State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources,Nanchang University(SKLF-ZZB-202129,SKLF-ZZB-202324,SKLF-KF-202216)。
文摘Cyclocarya paliurus(Batalin)Iljinskaja,as a unique and rare monocotyledonous plant in Southern China,is a promising and economical Chinese herbal medicine and functional food.People have conducted a number of research on C.paliurus because of its rich triterpenoids.However,no comprehensive review has illustrated the composition and pharmacological activity of triterpenoids from C.paliurus.This review summarizes 177 triterpenoids from different parts of C.paliurus.The structures of compounds were elucidated,and their biosynthesis was inferred.The biological activities of compounds and triterpenoid-rich extracts,including anti-diabetes,antihyperlipidemia,anti-inflammatory,anticancer or cytotoxicity,antioxidation,etc.,were discussed.C.paliurus can be an important and valuable supplement to the food market.This review provides a reference for the further research and application of C.paliurus triterpenoids in the fields of foods and pharmaceuticals.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32200222)the High-level Talents Start-up Fund of Shanxi Agricultural University, China (J242198006)+2 种基金the Start-up Fund of Shanxi Agricultural University, China (2021BQ84)the Shanxi Province Outstanding Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Scholarship Award Foundation,China(SXBYKY 2021055 and SXBYKY2022033)the Houji Laboratory Foundation, China (202204010910001-32)。
文摘Foxtail millet(Setaria italica) is one of the primary multigrain crops originating from China, with a long history of cultivation and significant importance in Chinese farming civilization(Diao 2019). However, the excessive height of foxtail millet plants makes them susceptible to lodging, severely impacting the yield(Tian et al. 2010;Diao et al. 2024). During the “Green Revolution”, many types of cereals, including rice(Oryza sativa L.) and wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)(Brosius 1991;Peng et al. 1999), were bred to dwarf, resulting in significantly increased yields. Consequently, reducing plant height has become a key breeding objective for foxtail millet.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31972405).
文摘Plants possess a hydrophobic layer of wax on their aerial surface,consisting mainly of amorphous intra-cuticular wax and epicuticular wax crystals(Kunst and Samuels,2003).This waxy coating contains a wide variety of very-long-chain fatty acids(VLCFAs)and their derivatives,including alkanes,alcohols,aldehydes,esters,and ketones.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFA0908000)CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(No.CIFMS-2023I2M-2–006)。
文摘Camptothecin,a plant-derived pentacyclic pyrroloquinoline alkaloid,and its derivatives like topotecan and irinotecan have been used as clinical anticancer agents for decades.However,the complete biosynthetic pathway of camptothecin still remains unelucidated due to the unknown complex formation processes and corresponding enzymes for the downstream biosynthetic pathway including the committed hydrolysis of glycosides.Herein,a novel glycoside hydrolase(CaGH1)responsible for the deglycosylation of biosynthetic glycoside intermediates including both quinoline-type alkaloids pumiloside(1),(3S)-deoxypumiloside(2)and indole-type alkaloid strictosamide(3)has been functionally identified.Moreover,CaGH1 exhibits the highly strict stereoselectivity towards the substrates with 3S configuration.Furthermore,a combined strategy for the discovery of the unknown biosynthetic enzyme by employing activity-guided enzyme verification,transcriptome-based gene mining,biochemical assay in vitro,and structurally characterizing the unstable enzymatic products by derivatization,is reported.These findings not only provide a better understanding of the deglycosylation in camptothecin biosynthesis,also lay the foundation for the complete elucidation of camptothecin biosynthetic pathway and biological production of camptothecin.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32225009,32370452,82274046)Jilin Agricultural University High-level Talent Introduction Fund(202020218)。
文摘Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication,yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood.Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved specialized musk-secreting glands,representing a striking case of convergent evolution.Through an integrated multi-omics approach,this study identified cyclopentadecanone as a shared key metabolic precursor in musk from both forest musk deer and muskrat,although downstream metabolite profiles diverged between the two lineages.Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these specialized apocrine glands possessed unique secretory architecture and exhibited transcriptional profiles associated with periodic musk production,distinct from those in conventional apocrine glands.Convergent features were evident at the cellular level,where acinar,ductal,and basal epithelial subtypes showed parallel molecular signatures across both taxa.Notably,acinar cells in both species expressed common genes involved in fatty acid and glycerolipid metabolism(e.g.,ACSBG1,HSD17B12,HACD2,and HADHA),suggesting a conserved molecular framework for musk precursor biosynthesis.Metagenomic analysis of musk samples further revealed parallel microbial community structures dominated by Corynebacterium and enriched in lipid metabolic pathways.These findings suggest multi-level convergence in musk biosynthesis,from molecular pathways to microbial communities,providing novel insights into mammalian chemical signaling and artificial musk production.
基金supported by the Guangdong Provincial Key Research and Development Program-Modern Seed Industry,China(2022B0202060004)the Knowledge Innovation Program of Wuhan-Basic Research,China(2022020801010291)+1 种基金the Project of the Development for High-quality Seed Industry of Hubei Province,China(HBZY2023B003)the Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(2023-2060299-089-031)。
文摘With the progress of urbanization,rural tourism has emerged as a popular leisure activity in China.The crop field with pattern art has been gaining popularity over the years,using strains with colorful leaves to create various impressive designs(Xu 2024).A lot of successful cases in rice fields have not only attracted tourists but also increased the income of farmers(Song et al.2020).Plants with colorful leaves also have gained significant popularity in ornamental agriculture.Therefore,developing plants with colorful leaves has gained significant popularity in ornamental agriculture.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC1600802)Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project,China(No.232102110134)the National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior-Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology of Characteristic Fruit Trees in South Xinjiang of China(No.FE202303).
文摘In plants, transcription factor (TF) family LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) has been identified to be involved in the ripening and senescence processes of fruits. However, the function of LBD in Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose (H. undatus) has not been reported yet. Through transcriptomic analysis, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology, and RT-qPCR validation, we investigated the role of the LBD TFs in the senescence of H. undatus. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HuLBD1 is a key transcription factor of the LBD family regulating H. undatus senescence. After silencing HuLBD1, 5075 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GSEA results showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the phenylpropanoids and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The leading subset of genes in these two pathways included 16 DEGs, with four upregulated genes, HuCHS1-2, HuFLS1, HuCYP75B2, and HuCHS5-2 being central in the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. H. undatus phenotypic experiments confirmed that silencing HuLBD1 significantly increased the flavonoid content in the fruit peel, and RT-qPCR validation showed that the gene expression trends were consistent with the RNA-seq data. The study indicated that HuLBD1 likely delays the fruit senescence process by negatively regulating the expression of four key genes, including HuCHS1-2, thus promoting the synthesis of phenylpropanoids such as flavonoids. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the HuLBD1 TF plays an important role in the senescence of H. undatus fruit, providing a theoretical basis for postharvest senescence control.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22376111)Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(No.ZR2024YQ026)+2 种基金for Excellent Young Scholars,Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province(No.tsqn202408237)Youth Innovation Team Project for Talent Introduction and Cultivation in Universities of Shandong Province(No.096-1622002)the Research Foundation for Distinguished Scholars of Qingdao Agricultural University(No.663-1117015)。
文摘In recent years,cellulose-based fluorescent polymers have received considerable attention.However,conventional modification methods face challenges such as insolubility in most solvents,fluorescence instability,and environmental risks.In this study,a novel biosynthesis strategy was developed to fabricate fluorescent cellulose by adding fluorescent glucose derivatives to a bacterial fermentation broth.The metabolic activity of bacteria is utilized to achieve in situ polymerization of glucose and its derivatives during the synthesis of bacterial cellulose.Owing to the structural similarity between triphenylamine-modified glucose(TPA-Glc N)and glucose monomers,the TPA-Glc N were efficiently assimilated by the bacterial cells and incorporated into the cellulose matrix,resulting in a uniform distribution of fluorescence.The fluorescence color and intensity of the obtained cellulose could be adjusted by varying the amount of the fluorescent glucose derivatives.Compared to the fluorescent cellulose synthesized through physical dyeing,the fluorescence of the products obtained by in situ polymerization showed higher intensity and stability.Furthermore,fluorescent bacterial cellulose can be hydrolyzed into nanocellulose-based ink,which demonstrates exceptional anti-counterfeiting capabilities under UV light.This biosynthesis method not only overcomes the limitations of traditional modification techniques but also highlights the potential of microbial systems as platforms for synthesizing functional polymers.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32360058)the Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Projects,China(2023ZYZX1224)Xinjiang University Excellent Doctoral Student Innovation Project(XJU2022BS051)。
文摘The black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum;2n=2x=24)is an important medicinal plant with ecological and economic value.Its fruits have numerous beneficial pharmacological activities,especially those of anthocyanins,polysaccharides,and alkaloids,and have high nutritional value.However,the lack of available genomic resources for this species has hindered research on its medicinal and evolutionary mechanisms.In this study,we developed the telomere-to-telomere(T2T)nearly gapless genome of L.ruthenicum(2.26 Gb)by integrating PacBio HiFi,Nanopore Ultra-Long,and Hi-C technologies.The assembled genome comprised 12 chromosomes with 37,149 protein-coding genes functionally annotated.Approximately 80%of the repetitive sequences were identified,of which long terminal repeats(LTRs)were the most abundant,accounting for 73.01%.The abundance of LTRs might be the main reason for the larger genome of this species compared to that of other Lycium species.The species-specific genes of L.ruthenicum were related to defense mechanisms,salt tolerance,drought resistance,and oxidative stress,further demonstrating their superior adaptability to arid environments.Based on the assembled genome and fruit transcriptome data,we further constructed an anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and identified 19 candidate structural genes and seven transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in the fruit developmental stage of L.ruthenicum,most of which were highly expressed at a later stage in fruit development.Furthermore,154 potential disease resistance-related nucleotidebinding genes have been identified in the L.ruthenicum genome.The whole-genome and proximal,dispersed,and tandem duplication genes in the L.ruthenicum genome enriched the number of genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis and resistance-related pathways.These results provide an important genetic basis for understanding genome evolution and biosynthesis of pharmacologically active components in the Lycium genus.
