Nature PlantsGenomicsPeer-reviewed journal article
The Taxus genome provides insights into paclitaxel biosynthesis
Xingyao XiongiD, Junbo GouiD, Qinggang LiaoiD, Yanlin LiiD, Qian ZhouiD, Guiqi BiiD, Chong LiiD, Ran DuiD, Xiaotong WangiD, Tianshu SuniD, Lvjun GuoiD, Haifei Liang, Pengjun LuiD, Yaoyao WuiD, Zhonghua ZhangiD, Dae‐Kyun RoiD, Yi ShangiD, Sanwen HuangiD, Jianbin YaniD
Abstract
The ancient gymnosperm genus Taxus is the exclusive source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel, yet no reference genome sequences are available for comprehensively elucidating the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway. We have completed a chromosome-level genome of Taxus chinensis var. mairei with a total length of 10.23 Gb. Taxus shared an ancestral whole-genome duplication with the coniferophyte lineage and underwent distinct transposon evolution. We discovered a unique physical and functional grouping of CYP725As (cytochrome P450) in the Taxus genome for paclitaxel biosynthesis. We also identified a gene cluster in the taxadiene biosynthesis, which was mainly formed by gene duplications. This study will facilitate the elucidation of paclitaxel biosynthesis and unleash the biotechnological potential of Taxus. One Sentence SummaryA chromosome-level genome assembly of Taxus chinensis var. mairei uncovers its unique genome evolution process and genetic architectures for the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway.
- organism: plant (other)
- assay: whole-genome sequencing
- research focus: gene regulatory network inference
- research focus: variant calling
- approach: statistical model
- Citations
- 260
- FWCI
- 11.92
- Field percentile
- top 1%
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