Identification and expression analysis of TPS family gene in Cannabis sativa L

Terpene synthases (TPSs) regulate plant growth, development, and stress response. TPS genes have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. Cannabis sativa TPS genes were identified and analyzed using bioinformatics. Genomic data were downloaded from Plant Transcription Factor Database and National Center for Biotechnology Information database, and TPS genes were predicted, analyzed, and visualized using ExPASy, PlantCare, and other online websites along with TBtools, MEGA software, and other software. To verify its role, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) tests were conducted. The Cannabis sativa TPS family comprises 41 elements distributed over 8 chromosomes and a single scaffold segment. The isoelectric point varied between 4.96 and 7.03, while the molecular weight spanned from 20705.90 to 102324.64 Da. The majority of genes were found in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts, with the remainder situated in the peroxisome, nucleus, plasma membrane, and mitochondria. Several cis-acting components associated with stress response were present in the gene's upstream promoter region. Data from RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR revealed specific expression of TPS genes in all five organs of female Cannabis sativa plants. Collinearity analysis showed 4 homologous gene pairs between the Cannabis sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana, with many pairs of homologous genes in other species, which was consistent with the dicotyledons evolutionary relationship. Furthermore, some genes may participate in Cannabis sativa growth and development and play a role in secondary metabolite synthesis. Therefore, bioinformatics analysis of the Cannabis sativa TPS gene family provides a theoretical basis for future research on the volatile terpene compounds of Cannabis sativa.