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Transposable Element-Mediated Structural Variation Drives Flower Colour Diversification in Camellia.
Menglong Fan1,2, Hong Jiang1, Yuxiao Qu2
1Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Plant Biotechnology Journal
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) significantly impact Camellia genome evolution and flower color diversity. These mobile genetic elements rewire regulatory networks, influencing gene expression and leading to varied floral pigmentation.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- The role of transposable elements (TEs) in Camellia genome evolution and flower color diversification is not well understood.
- Camellia exhibits diverse floral colors, but the genetic mechanisms driving this variation are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of transposable elements (TEs) in the genome evolution and phenotypic diversification of Camellia.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying floral color variation in Camellia.
Main Methods:
- Integrated analysis of genome resequencing data from 237 Camellia accessions and 11 de novo genome assemblies.
- Construction of a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for the genus Camellia.
- Comparative genomic analyses using graph-based genomes to characterize structural variants and TE amplifications.
Main Results:
- Comparative genomics revealed structural variants linked to TEs, contributing to genome divergence across Camellia species.
- Lineage-specific TE amplifications were found to rewire regulatory networks and modulate homoeologous gene expression.
- A specific TIR transposon was identified to regulate MYB60 expression, suppressing anthocyanin biosynthesis and driving floral color divergence.
Conclusions:
- Transposable elements play a central role in the evolution of flower color in Camellia through regulatory innovation.
- TE-mediated regulatory changes are key molecular mechanisms driving phenotypic diversification in plants, using Camellia as a model.
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