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Transcriptome analysis of Taxus cuspidata needles based on 454 pyrosequencing.
Qiong Wu1, Chao Sun, Hongmei Luo
1Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union , Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China.
Planta Medica
|September 24, 2010
Summary
This study generated the largest expressed sequence tag collection for Taxus cuspidata, revealing key genes for Taxol biosynthesis and providing valuable molecular markers for yew genetic improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant genomics
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacognosy
Background:
- Taxus species are crucial for Taxol production, a vital anti-cancer drug.
- Limited genomic data exists for yew species, hindering Taxol biosynthesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a comprehensive expressed sequence tag (EST) dataset for Taxus cuspidata.
- To identify genes involved in Taxol biosynthesis and discover molecular markers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 454 pyrosequencing (Roche GS FLX Titanium) on Taxus cuspidata needles.
- Performed sequence annotation against public databases and pathway mapping (KEGG).
- Identified simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs for genetic applications.
Main Results:
- Generated over 81,000 high-quality EST reads, yielding 20,557 unique sequences.
- Annotated 14,095 unique sequences, with significant representation in the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway.
- Identified candidate genes for Taxol biosynthesis, transcription factors, and 753 SSRs.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the most extensive EST collection for Taxus to date.
- The findings advance the understanding of Taxol biosynthesis and offer tools for yew genetic improvement.
- Facilitates future research towards enhanced Taxol production and drug development.
