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Panax ginseng genome examination for ginsenoside biosynthesis
Jiang Xu1, Yang Chu1, Baosheng Liao1
1Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
Gigascience
|October 20, 2017
Summary
Researchers sequenced the Panax ginseng genome, revealing its complex genetic makeup and identifying key genes involved in producing ginsenosides, the plant's bioactive compounds. This provides a foundation for improving ginseng cultivation and breeding.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Plant Biology
- Traditional Medicine
Background:
- Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been used for millennia in traditional medicine.
- Its genetic background is poorly understood due to a large and complex genome.
- Ginsenosides are key bioactive compounds in ginseng.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and analyze the entire genome of Panax ginseng.
- To identify genes involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis.
- To provide a resource for improving ginseng.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing.
- Transcriptome analysis with 22 datasets.
- Mass spectrometry for gene quantification.
- Bioinformatic analysis including molecular modeling and docking.
Main Results:
- Sequenced a 3.5-Gb Panax ginseng genome with over 60% repeats and 42,006 predicted genes.
- Identified 31 genes in the mevalonic acid pathway, including eight 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductases.
- Discovered 225 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), one of the largest gene families, with tandem repeats contributing to their diversity.
- Identified a conserved N-terminal motif in UGTs potentially involved in capturing ginsenoside precursors.
Conclusions:
- The Panax ginseng genome sequence is a valuable resource for understanding its genetic complexity.
- The identified genes and pathways provide insights into ginsenoside biosynthesis.
- This genomic information can aid in the breeding, cultivation, and synthetic biology of ginseng.
