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Huang X, Chen W, Zhao Y, Chen J, Ouyang Y, Li M, Gu Y, Wu Q, Cai S, Guo F, Zhu P, Ao D, You S, Vasseur L, Liu Y. Deep learning-based quantification and transcriptomic profiling reveal a methyl jasmonate-mediated glandular trichome formation pathway in Cannabis sativa. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:1155-1173. [PMID: 38332528 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cannabis glandular trichomes (GTs) are economically and biotechnologically important structures that have a remarkable morphology and capacity to produce, store, and secrete diverse classes of secondary metabolites. However, our understanding of the developmental changes and the underlying molecular processes involved in cannabis GT development is limited. In this study, we developed Cannabis Glandular Trichome Detection Model (CGTDM), a deep learning-based model capable of differentiating and quantifying three types of cannabis GTs with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy. By profiling at eight different time points, we captured dynamic changes in gene expression, phenotypes, and metabolic processes associated with GT development. By integrating weighted gene co-expression network analysis with CGTDM measurements, we established correlations between phenotypic variations in GT traits and the global transcriptome profiles across the developmental gradient. Notably, we identified a module containing methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-responsive genes that significantly correlated with stalked GT density and cannabinoid content during development, suggesting the existence of a MeJA-mediated GT formation pathway. Our findings were further supported by the successful promotion of GT development in cannabis through exogenous MeJA treatment. Importantly, we have identified CsMYC4 as a key transcription factor that positively regulates GT formation via MeJA signaling in cannabis. These findings provide novel tools for GT detection and counting, as well as valuable information for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of GT formation, which has the potential to facilitate the molecular breeding, targeted engineering, informed harvest timing, and manipulation of cannabinoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Huang
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yuzeng Ouyang
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Minxuan Li
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yu Gu
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Qinqin Wu
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Sen Cai
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Foqin Guo
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Panpan Zhu
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Deyong Ao
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Shijun You
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Liette Vasseur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
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Su Z, Gao S, Zheng Z, Stiller J, Hu S, McNeil MD, Shabala S, Zhou M, Liu C. Transcriptomic insights into shared responses to Fusarium crown rot infection and drought stresses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2024; 137:34. [PMID: 38286831 PMCID: PMC10824894 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Shared changes in transcriptomes caused by Fusarium crown rot infection and drought stress were investigated based on a single pair of near-isogenic lines developed for a major locus conferring tolerance to both stresses. Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is a devastating disease in many areas of cereal production worldwide. It is well-known that drought stress enhances FCR severity but possible molecular relationship between these two stresses remains unclear. To investigate their relationships, we generated several pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) targeting a locus conferring FCR resistance on chromosome 2D in bread wheat. One pair of these NILs showing significant differences between the two isolines for both FCR resistance and drought tolerance was used to investigate transcriptomic changes in responsive to these two stresses. Our results showed that the two isolines likely deployed different strategies in dealing with the stresses, and significant differences in expressed gene networks exist between the two time points of drought stresses evaluated in this study. Nevertheless, results from analysing Gene Ontology terms and transcription factors revealed that similar regulatory frameworks were activated in coping with these two stresses. Based on the position of the targeted locus, changes in expression following FCR infection and drought stresses, and the presence of non-synonymous variants between the two isolines, several candidate genes conferring resistance or tolerance to these two types of stresses were identified. The NILs generated, the large number of DEGs with single-nucleotide polymorphisms detected between the two isolines, and the candidate genes identified would be invaluable in fine mapping and cloning the gene(s) underlying the targeted locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouyang Su
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Prospect, TAS, 7250, Australia
| | - Shang Gao
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Zhi Zheng
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Jiri Stiller
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Shuwen Hu
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | | | - Sergey Shabala
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- International Research Centre for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan, 5280, Guangdong, China
| | - Meixue Zhou
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Prospect, TAS, 7250, Australia
| | - Chunji Liu
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.
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Wei H, Yang Z, Niyitanga S, Tao A, Xu J, Fang P, Lin L, Zhang L, Qi J, Ming R, Zhang L. The reference genome of seed hemp (Cannabis sativa) provides new insights into fatty acid and vitamin E synthesis. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100718. [PMID: 37717143 PMCID: PMC10811365 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zuqing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sylvain Niyitanga
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Aifen Tao
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jiantang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Pingping Fang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Lihui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Liemei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jianmin Qi
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Ray Ming
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Liwu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetic Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops/Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Biological Breeding of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Public Platform for Germplasm Resources of Bast Fiber Crops/Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Steel L, Welling M, Ristevski N, Johnson K, Gendall A. Comparative genomics of flowering behavior in Cannabis sativa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1227898. [PMID: 37575928 PMCID: PMC10421669 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1227898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. is a phenotypically diverse and multi-use plant used in the production of fiber, seed, oils, and a class of specialized metabolites known as phytocannabinoids. The last decade has seen a rapid increase in the licit cultivation and processing of C. sativa for medical end-use. Medical morphotypes produce highly branched compact inflorescences which support a high density of glandular trichomes, specialized epidermal hair-like structures that are the site of phytocannabinoid biosynthesis and accumulation. While there is a focus on the regulation of phytocannabinoid pathways, the genetic determinants that govern flowering time and inflorescence structure in C. sativa are less well-defined but equally important. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underly flowering behavior is key to maximizing phytocannabinoid production. The genetic basis of flowering regulation in C. sativa has been examined using genome-wide association studies, quantitative trait loci mapping and selection analysis, although the lack of a consistent reference genome has confounded attempts to directly compare candidate loci. Here we review the existing knowledge of flowering time control in C. sativa, and, using a common reference genome, we generate an integrated map. The co-location of known and putative flowering time loci within this resource will be essential to improve the understanding of C. sativa phenology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Gendall
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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The B1080/B1192 molecular marker identifies hemp plants with functional THCA synthase and total THC content above legal limit. Gene 2023; 858:147198. [PMID: 36641078 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In Cannabis sativa L. the presence of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) above legal limit is a challenging issue that still restricts the industrial exploitation of this promising crop. In recent years, the interest of entrepreneurs and growers who see hemp as a dynamic and profitable crop was joined by the growing knowledge on C. sativa genetics and genomics, accelerated by the application of high throughput tools. Despite the renewed interest in the species, much remains to be clarified, especially about the long-standing problem of THCA in hemp inflorescences, which could even result in the seizure of the whole harvest. Although several hypotheses have been formulated on the accumulation of this metabolite in industrial varieties, none is conclusive yet. In this work, individuals of a population of the hemp cultivar 'FINOLA' obtained from commercial seeds were investigated for total THC level and examined at molecular level. A marker linked to THCA synthase was found at a high incidence in both male and female plants, suggesting a considerable genetic variability within the seed batch. Full-length sequences encoding for putatively functional THCA synthases were isolated for the first time from the genome of both female and male plants of an industrial hemp variety and, using transcriptional analysis, the THCA synthase expression was quantified in mature inflorescences of individuals identified by the marker. Biochemical analyses finally demonstrated for these plants a 100% association between the predicted and actual chemotype.
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Miao T, Bao H, Ling H, Li P, Zhang Y, He Y, Hu X, Ling C, Liu Y, Tang W, Liu Y, Wang S. Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed the Suppression and Alternative Splicing of Kiwifruit ( Actinidia latifolia) NAP1 Gene Mediating Trichome Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4481. [PMID: 36901911 PMCID: PMC10003061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) is commonly covered by fruit hairs (trichomes) that affect kiwifruit popularity in the commercial market. However, it remains largely unknown which gene mediates trichome development in kiwifruit. In this study, we analyzed two kiwifruit species, A. eriantha (Ae) with long, straight, and bushy trichomes and A. latifolia (Al) with short, distorted, and spare trichomes, by second- and third-generation RNA sequencing. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the expression of the NAP1 gene, a positive regulator of trichome development, was suppressed in Al compared with that in Ae. Additionally, the alternative splicing of AlNAP1 produced two short transcripts (AlNAP1-AS1 and AlNAP1-AS2) lacking multiple exons, in addition to a full-length transcript of AlNAP1-FL. The defects of trichome development (short and distorted trichome) in Arabidopsis nap1 mutant were rescued by AlNAP1-FL but not by AlNAP1-AS1. AlNAP1-FL gene does not affect trichome density in nap1 mutant. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the alternative splicing further reduces the level of functional transcripts. These results indicated that the short and distorted trichomes in Al might be caused by the suppression and alternative splicing of AlNAP1. Together, we revealed that AlNAP1 mediates trichome development and is a good candidate target for genetic modification of trichome length in kiwifruit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yajing Liu
- School of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Songhu Wang
- School of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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Sirangelo TM, Ludlow RA, Spadafora ND. Multi-Omics Approaches to Study Molecular Mechanisms in Cannabis sativa. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2182. [PMID: 36015485 PMCID: PMC9416457 DOI: 10.3390/plants11162182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), also known as hemp, is one of the oldest cultivated crops, grown for both its use in textile and cordage production, and its unique chemical properties. However, due to the legislation regulating cannabis cultivation, it is not a well characterized crop, especially regarding molecular and genetic pathways. Only recently have regulations begun to ease enough to allow more widespread cannabis research, which, coupled with the availability of cannabis genome sequences, is fuelling the interest of the scientific community. In this review, we provide a summary of cannabis molecular resources focusing on the most recent and relevant genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches and investigations. Multi-omics methods are discussed, with this combined approach being a powerful tool to identify correlations between biological processes and metabolic pathways across diverse omics layers, and to better elucidate the relationships between cannabis sub-species. The correlations between genotypes and phenotypes, as well as novel metabolites with therapeutic potential are also explored in the context of cannabis breeding programs. However, further studies are needed to fully elucidate the complex metabolomic matrix of this crop. For this reason, some key points for future research activities are discussed, relying on multi-omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana M. Sirangelo
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department, 26836 Montanaso Lombardo, Italy
| | - Richard A. Ludlow
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Natasha D. Spadafora
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Coordinated Transcriptional Regulation of Central and Secondary Metabolism in the Trichomes of Cannabis Cultivars. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158310. [PMID: 35955443 PMCID: PMC9368916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the few plant genera capable of producing cannabinoids, the effects of which are synergized by terpene interactions. As the biosynthesis of both metabolite classes requires the same intracellular feedstocks, this work describes the coordinated regulation of global metabolic pathways that allows for their joint copious production in vivo. To this end, a transcriptomics-based approach to characterize the glandular trichomes of five Cannabis cultivars was pursued. Besides revealing metabolic traits that enhanced and proportionated the supply of critical carbon precursors, in-depth analysis showed significantly increased gene expression of two particular enzymes to meet the huge nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) demand of secondary metabolite production. Furthermore, it led to a hypothesis that the methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway might be utilized more than the mevalonic acid pathway in Cannabis trichomes. While both pathways were found to be activated in a modular and calibrated way that reflected their broad participation in physiological processes, the genes for hexanoate, cannabinoid, and terpene biosynthesis were, in contrast, up-regulated in an en bloc and multi-loci manner due to their specific roles in secondary metabolite production. In addition, three new terpene synthases were characterized based on both in silico and experimental assays. Altogether, the study enhances the current understanding of secondary metabolite production in Cannabis cultivars, which may assist in their characterization and development.
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Melzer R, McCabe PF, Schilling S. Evolution, genetics and biochemistry of plant cannabinoid synthesis: a challenge for biotechnology in the years ahead. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102684. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Homeodomain Leucine Zipper Subfamily IV (HD-ZIP IV) Gene Family in Cannabis sativa L. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11101307. [PMID: 35631732 PMCID: PMC9144208 DOI: 10.3390/plants11101307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The plant-specific homeodomain zipper family (HD-ZIP) of transcription factors plays central roles in regulating plant development and environmental resistance. HD-ZIP transcription factors IV (HDZ IV) have been involved primarily in the regulation of epidermal structure development, such as stomata and trichomes. In our study, we identified nine HDZ IV-encoding genes in Cannabis sativa L. by conducting a computational analysis of cannabis genome resources. Our analysis suggests that these genes putatively encode proteins that have all the conserved domains of HDZ IV transcription factors. The phylogenetic analysis of HDZ IV gene family members of cannabis, rice (Oryza sativa), and Arabidopsis further implies that they might have followed distinct evolutionary paths after divergence from a common ancestor. All the identified cannabis HDZ IV gene promoter sequences have multiple regulation motifs, such as light- and hormone-responsive elements. Furthermore, experimental evidence shows that different HDZ IV genes have different expression patterns in root, stem, leaf, and flower tissues. Four genes were primarily expressed in flowers, and the expression of CsHDG5 (XP_030501222.1) was also correlated with flower maturity. Fifty-nine genes were predicted as targets of HDZ IV transcription factors. Some of these genes play central roles in pathogen response, flower development, and brassinosteroid signaling. A subcellular localization assay indicated that one gene of this family is localized in the Arabidopsis protoplast nucleus. Taken together, our work lays fundamental groundwork to illuminate the function of cannabis HDZ IV genes and their possible future uses in increasing cannabis trichome morphogenesis and secondary metabolite production.
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Dong M, Xue S, Bartholomew ES, Zhai X, Sun L, Xu S, Zhang Y, Yin S, Ma W, Chen S, Feng Z, Geng C, Li X, Liu X, Ren H. Transcriptomic and functional analysis provides molecular insights into multicellular trichome development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:301-314. [PMID: 35171294 PMCID: PMC9070826 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Trichomes, the hair-like structures located on aerial parts of most vascular plants, are associated with a wide array of biological processes and affect the economic value of certain species. The processes involved in unicellular trichome formation have been well-studied in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, our understanding of the morphological changes and the underlying molecular processes involved in multicellular trichome development is limited. Here, we studied the dynamic developmental processes involved in glandular and nonglandular multicellular trichome formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and divided these processes into five sequential stages. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of multicellular trichome formation, we performed a time-course transcriptome analysis using RNA-sequencing analysis. A total of 711 multicellular trichome-related genes were screened and a model for multicellular trichome formation was developed. The transcriptome and co-expression datasets were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. In addition, virus-induced gene silencing analysis revealed that CsHOMEOBOX3 (CsHOX3) and CsbHLH1 are involved in nonglandular trichome elongation and glandular trichome formation, respectively, which corresponds with the transcriptome data. This study presents a transcriptome atlas that provides insights into the molecular processes involved in multicellular trichome formation in cucumber and can be an important resource for future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Dong
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shudan Xue
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ezra S Bartholomew
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuling Zhai
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuo Xu
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yaqi Zhang
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuai Yin
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenyue Ma
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuying Chen
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhongxuan Feng
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chao Geng
- Department of Plant Pathology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
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Deidda R, Dispas A, De Bleye C, Hubert P, Ziemons É. Critical review on recent trends in cannabinoid determination on cannabis herbal samples: From chromatographic to vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Ahn JY, Kim J, Yang JY, Lee HJ, Kim S, Cho KS, Lee SH, Kim JH, Lee TH, Hur Y, Shim D. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis between Two Potato Cultivars in Tuber Induction to Reveal Associated Genes with Anthocyanin Accumulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073681. [PMID: 35409041 PMCID: PMC8998591 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthocyanins are generally accumulated within a few layers, including the epidermal cells of leaves and stems in plants. Solanum tuberosum cv. ‘Jayoung’ (hereafter, JY) is known to accumulate anthocyanin both in inner tissues and skins. We discovered that anthocyanin accumulation in the inner tissues of JY was almost diminished (more than 95% was decreased) in tuber induction condition. To investigate the transcriptomic mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in JY flesh, which can be modulated by growth condition, we performed mRNA sequencing with white-colored flesh tissue of Solanum tuberosum cv. ‘Atlantic’ (hereafter, ‘Daeseo’, DS) grown under canonical growth conditions, a JY flesh sample grown under canonical growth conditions, and a JY flesh sample grown under tuber induction conditions. We could identify 36 common DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in JY flesh from canonical growth conditions that showed JY-specifically increased or decreased expression level. These genes were enriched with flavonoid biosynthetic process terms in GO analysis, as well as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis. Further in silico analysis on expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes including rate-limiting genes such as StCHS and StCHI followed by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analysis showed a strong positive correlation with the observed phenotypes. Finally, we identified StWRKY44 from 36 common DEGs as a possible regulator of anthocyanin accumulation, which was further supported by network analysis. In conclusion, we identified StWRKY44 as a putative regulator of tuber-induction-dependent anthocyanin accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Young Ahn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Jaewook Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Ju Yeon Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Soyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Kwang-Soo Cho
- Highland Agriculture Research Institute, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Admin-istration, Pyeongchang 25342, Korea;
| | - Sang-Ho Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 35349, Korea;
| | - Jin-Hyun Kim
- Division of Genomics, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Jeonju 54874, Korea; (J.-H.K.); (T.-H.L.)
| | - Tae-Ho Lee
- Division of Genomics, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Jeonju 54874, Korea; (J.-H.K.); (T.-H.L.)
| | - Yoonkang Hur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (Y.H.); (D.S.)
| | - Donghwan Shim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.Y.A.); (J.K.); (J.Y.Y.); (H.J.L.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (Y.H.); (D.S.)
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14
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Shiels D, Prestwich BD, Koo O, Kanchiswamy CN, O'Halloran R, Badmi R. Hemp Genome Editing—Challenges and Opportunities. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:823486. [PMID: 35187530 PMCID: PMC8847435 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.823486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multipurpose crop with many important uses including medicine, fibre, food and biocomposites. This plant is currently gaining prominence and acceptance for its valuable applications. Hemp is grown as a cash crop for its novel cannabinoids which are estimated to be a multibillion-dollar downstream market. Hemp cultivation can play a major role in carbon sequestration with good CO2 to biomass conversion in low input systems and can also improve soil health and promote phytoremediation. The recent advent of genome editing tools to produce non-transgenic genome-edited crops with no trace of foreign genetic material has the potential to overcome regulatory hurdles faced by genetically modified crops. The use of Artificial Intelligence - mediated trait discovery platforms are revolutionizing the agricultural industry to produce desirable crops with unprecedented accuracy and speed. However, genome editing tools to improve the beneficial properties of hemp have not yet been deployed. Recent availability of high-quality Cannabis genome sequences from several strains (cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol balanced and CBD/THC rich strains) have paved the way for improving the production of valuable bioactive molecules for the welfare of humankind and the environment. In this context, the article focuses on exploiting advanced genome editing tools to produce non-transgenic hemp to improve the most industrially desirable traits. The challenges, opportunities and interdisciplinary approaches that can be adopted from existing technologies in other plant species are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donal Shiels
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Barbara Doyle Prestwich
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Roisin O'Halloran
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Raghuram Badmi
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Plantedit Pvt Ltd, Cork, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Raghuram Badmi,
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15
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Tobacco Rattle Virus as a Tool for Rapid Reverse-Genetics Screens and Analysis of Gene Function in Cannabis sativa L. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11030327. [PMID: 35161308 PMCID: PMC8838890 DOI: 10.3390/plants11030327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Medical cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is quickly becoming a central agricultural crop as its production has continued to increase globally. The recent release of the cannabis reference genomes provides key genetic information for the functional analysis of cannabis genes. Currently, however, the established tools for in vivo gene functional analysis in cannabis are very limited. In this study, we investigated the use of the tobacco rattle virus (TRV) as a possible tool for virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and virus-aided gene expression (VAGE). Using leaf photobleaching as a visual marker of PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) silencing, we found that VIGS was largely restricted to the agro-infiltrated leaves. However, when agro-infiltration was performed under vacuum, VIGS increased dramatically, which resulted in intense PDS silencing and an increased photobleaching phenotype. The suitability of TRV as a vector for virus-aided gene expression (VAGE) was demonstrated by an analysis of DsRed fluorescence protein. Interestingly, a DsRed signal was also observed in glandular trichomes in TRV2-DsRed-infected plants, which suggests the possibility of trichome-related gene function analysis. These results indicate that TRV, despite its limited spread, is an attractive vector for rapid reverse-genetics screens and for the analysis of gene function in cannabis.
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16
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Selection and validation of reference genes for normalization of qRT-PCR data to study the cannabinoid pathway genes in industrial hemp. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260660. [PMID: 34928958 PMCID: PMC8687539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been significant interest in researching the pharmaceutical applications of Industrial hemp since its legalization three years ago. The crop is mostly dioecious and known for its production of phytocannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Although many scientific reports have showed gene expression analysis of hemp through OMICs approaches, unreliable reference genes for normalization of qRT-PCR data make it difficult to validate the OMICs data. Four software packages: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder were used to evaluate the differential gene expression patterns of 13 candidate reference genes under osmotic, heavy metal, hormonal, and UV stresses. EF-1α ranked as the most stable reference gene across all stresses, TUB was the most stable under osmotic stress, and TATA was the most stable under both heavy metal stress and hormonal stimuli. The expression patterns of two cannabinoid pathway genes, AAE1 and CBDAS, were used to validate the reliability of the selected reference genes. This work provides useful information for gene expression characterization in hemp and future research in the synthesis, transport, and accumulation of secondary metabolites.
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17
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Hussain T, Jeena G, Pitakbut T, Vasilev N, Kayser O. Cannabis sativa research trends, challenges, and new-age perspectives. iScience 2021; 24:103391. [PMID: 34841230 PMCID: PMC8605354 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. has been one of the oldest medicinal plants cultivated for 10,000 years for several agricultural and industrial applications. However, the plant became controversial owing to some psychoactive components that have adverse effects on human health. In this review, we analyzed the trends in cannabis research for the past two centuries. We discussed the historical transitions of cannabis from the category of herbal medicine to an illicit drug and back to a medicinal product post-legalization. In addition, we address the new-age application of immuno-suppressive and anti-inflammatory extracts for the treatment of COVID-19 inflammation. We further address the influence of the legal aspects of cannabis cultivation for medicinal, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological research. We reviewed the up-to-date cannabis genomic resources and advanced technologies for their potential application in genomic-based cannabis improvement. Overall, this review discusses the diverse aspects of cannabis research developments ranging from traditional use as herbal medicine to the latest potential in COVID-19, legal practices with updated patent status, and current state of art genetic and genomic tools reshaping cannabis biotechnology in modern age agriculture and pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tajammul Hussain
- Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Strasse. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ganga Jeena
- Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Strasse. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thanet Pitakbut
- Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Strasse. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nikolay Vasilev
- Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Strasse. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver Kayser
- Department of Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge Strasse. 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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18
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Matchett-Oates L, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NOI. Manipulation of Cannabinoid Biosynthesis via Transient RNAi Expression. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:773474. [PMID: 35035388 PMCID: PMC8757041 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.773474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. produces unique phytocannabinoids, which are used for their pharmaceutical benefits. To date, there are no reports of in vivo engineering targeting the cannabinoid biosynthesis genes to greater elucidate the role each of these genes play in synthesis of these medically important compounds. Reported here is the first modulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis genes using RNAi via agroinfiltration. Vacuum infiltrated leaf segments of the Cannbio-2 C. sativa strain, transfected with different RNAi constructs corresponding to THCAS, CBDAS, and CBCAS gene sequences, showed significant downregulation of all cannabinoid biosynthesis genes using real-time quantitative PCR. Using RNAi, significant off-targeting occurs resulting in the downregulation of highly homologous transcripts. Significant (p < 0.05) downregulation was observed for THCAS (92%), CBDAS (97%), and CBCAS (70%) using pRNAi-GG-CBDAS-UNIVERSAL. Significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of CBCAS (76%) and non-significant upregulation of THCAS (13%) were observed when transfected with pRNAi-GG-CBCAS, suggesting the related gene's ability to synthesize multiple cannabinoids. Using this approach, increased understanding of the relationship between cannabinoid biosynthesis genes can be further elucidated. This RNAi approach enables functional genomics screens for further reverse genetic studies as well as the development of designer cannabis strains with over-expression and/or downregulation of targeted cannabinoid biosynthesis genes. Functional genomics screens, such as these, will further provide insights into gene regulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis in Cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennon Matchett-Oates
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Noel O. I. Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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19
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Matchett-Oates L, Braich S, Spangenberg GC, Rochfort S, Cogan NOI. In silico analysis enabling informed design for genome editing in medicinal cannabis; gene families and variant characterisation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257413. [PMID: 34551006 PMCID: PMC8457487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis has been used worldwide for centuries for industrial, recreational and medicinal use, however, to date no successful attempts at editing genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis have been reported. This study proposes and develops an in silico best practices approach for the design and implementation of genome editing technologies in cannabis to target all genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis. RESULTS A large dataset of reference genomes was accessed and mined to determine copy number variation and associated SNP variants for optimum target edit sites for genotype independent editing. Copy number variance and highly polymorphic gene sequences exist in the genome making genome editing using CRISPR, Zinc Fingers and TALENs technically difficult. Evaluation of allele or additional gene copies was determined through nucleotide and amino acid alignments with comparative sequence analysis performed. From determined gene copy number and presence of SNPs, multiple online CRISPR design tools were used to design sgRNA targeting every gene, accompanying allele and homologs throughout all involved pathways to create knockouts for further investigation. Universal sgRNA were designed for highly homologous sequences using MultiTargeter and visualised using Sequencher, creating unique sgRNA avoiding SNP and shared nucleotide locations targeting optimal edit sites. CONCLUSIONS Using this framework, the approach has wider applications to all plant species regardless of ploidy number or highly homologous gene sequences. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using this framework, a best-practice approach to genome editing is possible in all plant species, including cannabis, delivering a comprehensive in silico evaluation of the cannabinoid pathway diversity from a large set of whole genome sequences. Identification of SNP variants across all genes could improve genome editing potentially leading to novel applications across multiple disciplines, including agriculture and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Matchett-Oates
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - S. Braich
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - G. C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - S. Rochfort
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - N. O. I. Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Tanney CAS, Backer R, Geitmann A, Smith DL. Cannabis Glandular Trichomes: A Cellular Metabolite Factory. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:721986. [PMID: 34616415 PMCID: PMC8488169 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.721986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in several countries and medical use is authorized in an expanding list of countries; markets are growing internationally, causing an increase in demand for high quality products with well-defined properties. The key compounds of Cannabis plants are cannabinoids, which are produced by stalked glandular trichomes located on female flowers. These trichomes produce resin that contains cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and cannabidiolic acid, and an array of other secondary metabolites of varying degrees of commercial interest. While growers tend to focus on improving whole flower yields, our understanding of the "goldmines" of the plant - the trichomes - is limited despite their being the true source of revenue for a multi-billion-dollar industry. This review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of cannabis glandular trichomes and their metabolite products in order to identify current gaps in knowledge and to outline future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Donald L. Smith
- Department of Plant Science, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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21
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Fulvio F, Paris R, Montanari M, Citti C, Cilento V, Bassolino L, Moschella A, Alberti I, Pecchioni N, Cannazza G, Mandolino G. Analysis of Sequence Variability and Transcriptional Profile of Cannabinoid synthase Genes in Cannabis sativa L. Chemotypes with a Focus on Cannabichromenic acid synthase. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1857. [PMID: 34579390 PMCID: PMC8466818 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. has been long cultivated for its narcotic potential due to the accumulation of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in female inflorescences, but nowadays its production for fiber, seeds, edible oil and bioactive compounds has spread throughout the world. However, some hemp varieties still accumulate traces of residual THCA close to the 0.20% limit set by European Union, despite the functional gene encoding for THCA synthase (THCAS) is lacking. Even if some hypotheses have been produced, studies are often in disagreement especially on the role of the cannabichromenic acid synthase (CBCAS). In this work a set of European Cannabis genotypes, representative of all chemotypes, were investigated from a chemical and molecular point of view. Highly specific primer pairs were developed to allow an accurate distinction of different cannabinoid synthases genes. In addition to their use as markers to detect the presence of CBCAS at genomic level, they allowed the analysis of transcriptional profiles in hemp or marijuana plants. While the high level of transcription of THCAS and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS) clearly reflects the chemical phenotype of the plants, the low but stable transcriptional level of CBCAS in all genotypes suggests that these genes are active and might contribute to the final amount of cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Fulvio
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Sciences of Agriculture, Food Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Roberta Paris
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Massimo Montanari
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Cinzia Citti
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cilento
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Laura Bassolino
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Anna Moschella
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Ilaria Alberti
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via G. Amendola 82, 45100 Rovigo, Italy;
| | - Nicola Pecchioni
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, S.S. 673 Km 25,200, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Cannazza
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mandolino
- CREA—Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (M.M.); (V.C.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (G.M.)
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22
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Johnson MS, Wallace JG. Genomic and Chemical Diversity of Commercially Available High-CBD Industrial Hemp Accessions. Front Genet 2021; 12:682475. [PMID: 34306025 PMCID: PMC8293613 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.682475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High consumer demand for cannabidiol (CBD) has made high-CBD hemp (Cannabis sativa) an extremely high-value crop. However, high demand has resulted in the industry developing faster than the research, resulting in the sale of many hemp accessions with inconsistent performance and chemical profiles. These inconsistencies cause significant economic and legal problems for growers interested in producing high-CBD hemp. To determine the genetic and phenotypic consistency in available high-CBD hemp varieties, we obtained seed or clones from 22 different named accessions meant for commercial production. Genotypes (∼48,000 SNPs) and chemical profiles (% CBD and THC by dry weight) were determined for up to 8 plants per accession. Many accessions-including several with the same name-showed little consistency either genetically or chemically. Most seed-grown accessions also deviated significantly from their purported levels of CBD and THC based on the supplied certificates of analysis. Several also showed evidence of an active tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) synthase gene, leading to unacceptably high levels of THC in female flowers. We conclude that the current market for high-CBD hemp varieties is highly unreliable, making many purchases risky for growers. We suggest options for addressing these issues, such using unique names and developing seed and plant certification programs to ensure the availability of high-quality, verified planting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Johnson
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jason G. Wallace
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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23
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Ren G, Zhang X, Li Y, Ridout K, Serrano-Serrano ML, Yang Y, Liu A, Ravikanth G, Nawaz MA, Mumtaz AS, Salamin N, Fumagalli L. Large-scale whole-genome resequencing unravels the domestication history of Cannabis sativa. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/29/eabg2286. [PMID: 34272249 PMCID: PMC8284894 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg2286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa has long been an important source of fiber extracted from hemp and both medicinal and recreational drugs based on cannabinoid compounds. Here, we investigated its poorly known domestication history using whole-genome resequencing of 110 accessions from worldwide origins. We show that C. sativa was first domesticated in early Neolithic times in East Asia and that all current hemp and drug cultivars diverged from an ancestral gene pool currently represented by feral plants and landraces in China. We identified candidate genes associated with traits differentiating hemp and drug cultivars, including branching pattern and cellulose/lignin biosynthesis. We also found evidence for loss of function of genes involved in the synthesis of the two major biochemically competing cannabinoids during selection for increased fiber production or psychoactive properties. Our results provide a unique global view of the domestication of C. sativa and offer valuable genomic resources for ongoing functional and molecular breeding research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangpeng Ren
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Science and Institute of Innovation Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Science and Institute of Innovation Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Science and Institute of Innovation Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Kate Ridout
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Oxford Molecular Diagnostics Centre, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martha L Serrano-Serrano
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yongzhi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Science and Institute of Innovation Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Ai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Science and Institute of Innovation Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Gudasalamani Ravikanth
- Suri Sehgal Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore 560 064, India
| | - Muhammad Ali Nawaz
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Samad Mumtaz
- Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Nicolas Salamin
- Department of Computational Biology, Génopode, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Fumagalli
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Centre Universitaire Romand de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois et Université de Lausanne, Chemin de la Vulliette 4, 1000 Lausanne 25, Switzerland
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24
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Naim-Feil E, Pembleton LW, Spooner LE, Malthouse AL, Miner A, Quinn M, Polotnianka RM, Baillie RC, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NOI. The characterization of key physiological traits of medicinal cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) as a tool for precision breeding. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:294. [PMID: 34174826 PMCID: PMC8235858 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03079-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For millennia, drug-type cannabis strains were extensively used for various medicinal, ritual, and inebriant applications. However, cannabis prohibition during the last century led to cultivation and breeding activities being conducted under clandestine conditions, while scientific development of the crop ceased. Recently, the potential of medicinal cannabis has been reacknowledged and the now expanding industry requires optimal and scientifically characterized varieties. However, scientific knowledge that can propel this advancement is sorely lacking. To address this issue, the current study aims to provide a better understanding of key physiological and phenological traits that can facilitate the breeding of advanced cultivars. RESULTS A diverse population of 121 genotypes of high-THC or balanced THC-CBD ratio was cultivated under a controlled environment facility and 13 plant parameters were measured. No physiological association across genotypes attributed to the same vernacular classification was observed. Floral bud dry weight was found to be positively associated with plant height and stem diameter but not with days to maturation. Furthermore, the heritability of both plant height and days to maturation was relatively high, but for plant height it decreased during the vegetative growth phase. To advance breeding efficacy, a prediction equation for forecasting floral bud dry weight was generated, driven by parameters that can be detected during the vegetative growth phase solely. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that selection for taller and fast-growing genotypes is likely to lead to an increase in floral bud productivity. It was also found that the final plant height and stem diameter are determined by 5 independent factors that can be used to maximize productivity through cultivation adjustments. The proposed prediction equation can facilitate the selection of prolific genotypes without the completion of a full cultivation cycle. Future studies that will associate genome-wide variation with plants morphological traits and cannabinoid profile will enable precise and accelerated breeding through genomic selection approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erez Naim-Feil
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia.
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Luke W Pembleton
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Laura E Spooner
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Alix L Malthouse
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Amy Miner
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Melinda Quinn
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Renata M Polotnianka
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Rebecca C Baillie
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - German C Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Noel O I Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
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25
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Matchett-Oates L, Mohamaden E, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NOI. Development of a robust transient expression screening system in protoplasts of Cannabis. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY - PLANT 2021. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1007/s11627-021-10178-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
AbstractTransient expression systems in mesophyll protoplasts have been utilised in many plant species as an indispensable tool for gene function analysis and efficacious genome editing constructs. However, such a system has not been developed inCannabisdue to the recalcitrant nature of the plant to tissue culture as well as its illegal status for many years. In this study, young expanding leaves from asepticin vitro Cannabisexplants were used for protoplast isolation. Factorial designs were used to optimise variables in viable protoplast isolation and transient expression of GFP, with a range analyses performed to determine, and quantify, significantly impacting variables. Viable protoplast yields as high as 5.7 × 106were achieved with 2.5% (w/v) Cellulase R-10, 0.3% (w/v) Macerozyme R-10 and 0.7 M mannitol, incubated for 16 h. As indicated by the transient expression of GFP, efficiency reached 23.2% with 30 μg plasmid, 50% PEG, 1 × 106protoplasts and a transfection duration of 20 min. Application of the optimised protocol for protoplast isolation was successfully evaluated on three subsequent unrelated genotypes to highlight the robustness and broad applicability of the developed technique.
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26
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Lee IH, Kim HS, Nam KJ, Lee KL, Yang JW, Kwak SS, Lee JJ, Shim D, Kim YH. The Defense Response Involved in Sweetpotato Resistance to Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita: Comparison of Root Transcriptomes of Resistant and Susceptible Sweetpotato Cultivars With Respect to Induced and Constitutive Defense Responses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:671677. [PMID: 34025707 PMCID: PMC8131533 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.671677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) is an economically important, nutrient- and pigment-rich root vegetable used as both food and feed. Root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, causes major yield losses in sweetpotato and other crops worldwide. The identification of genes and mechanisms responsible for resistance to RKN will facilitate the development of RKN resistant cultivars not only in sweetpotato but also in other crops. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analysis of RKN resistant cultivars (RCs; Danjami, Pungwonmi and Juhwangmi) and susceptible cultivars (SCs; Dahomi, Shinhwangmi and Yulmi) of sweetpotato infected with M. incognita to examine the induced and constitutive defense response-related transcriptional changes. During induced defense, genes related to defense and secondary metabolites were induced in SCs, whereas those related to receptor protein kinase signaling and protein phosphorylation were induced in RCs. In the uninfected control, genes involved in proteolysis and biotic stimuli showed differential expression levels between RCs and SCs during constitutive defense. Additionally, genes related to redox regulation, lipid and cell wall metabolism, protease inhibitor and proteases were putatively identified as RKN defense-related genes. The root transcriptome of SCs was also analyzed under uninfected conditions, and several potential candidate genes were identified. Overall, our data provide key insights into the transcriptional changes in sweetpotato genes that occur during induced and constitutive defense responses against RKN infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Hwan Lee
- Department of Forest Bio-Resources, National Institute of Forest Science, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Ho Soo Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ki Jung Nam
- Department of Biology Education, IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Kang-Lok Lee
- Department of Biology Education, IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Jung-Wook Yang
- Department of Crop Cultivation & Environment, Research National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Kwak
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jeung Joo Lee
- Department of Plant Medicine, IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Donghwan Shim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology Education, IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
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Hurgobin B, Tamiru‐Oli M, Welling MT, Doblin MS, Bacic A, Whelan J, Lewsey MG. Recent advances in Cannabis sativa genomics research. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:73-89. [PMID: 33283274 PMCID: PMC7986631 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants purported to have unique medicinal properties. However, scientific research of cannabis has been restricted by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, an international treaty that prohibits the production and supply of narcotic drugs except under license. Legislation governing cannabis cultivation for research, medicinal and even recreational purposes has been relaxed recently in certain jurisdictions. As a result, there is now potential to accelerate cultivar development of this multi-use and potentially medically useful plant species by application of modern genomics technologies. Whilst genomics has been pivotal to our understanding of the basic biology and molecular mechanisms controlling key traits in several crop species, much work is needed for cannabis. In this review we provide a comprehensive summary of key cannabis genomics resources and their applications. We also discuss prospective applications of existing and emerging genomics technologies for accelerating the genetic improvement of cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavna Hurgobin
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - Muluneh Tamiru‐Oli
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - Matthew T. Welling
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - Monika S. Doblin
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - Antony Bacic
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - James Whelan
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Plant Energy BiologyLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
| | - Mathew G. Lewsey
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and FoodDepartment of Animal, Plant and Soil SciencesSchool of Life SciencesLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
- Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal AgricultureLa Trobe UniversityAgriBio BuildingBundooraVIC3086Australia
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28
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Aardema ML, DeSalle R. Can public online databases serve as a source of phenotypic information for Cannabis genetic association studies? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247607. [PMID: 33621243 PMCID: PMC7901747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Cannabis is gaining greater social acceptance for its beneficial medicinal and recreational uses. With this acceptance has come new opportunities for crop management, selective breeding, and the potential for targeted genetic manipulation. However, as an agricultural product Cannabis lags far behind other domesticated plants in knowledge of the genes and genetic variation that influence plant traits of interest such as growth form and chemical composition. Despite this lack of information, there are substantial publicly available resources that document phenotypic traits believed to be associated with particular Cannabis varieties. Such databases could be a valuable resource for developing a greater understanding of genes underlying phenotypic variation if combined with appropriate genetic information. To test this potential, we collated phenotypic data from information available through multiple online databases. We then produced a Cannabis SNP database from 845 strains to examine genome wide associations in conjunction with our assembled phenotypic traits. Our goal was not to locate Cannabis-specific genetic variation that correlates with phenotypic variation as such, but rather to examine the potential utility of these databases more broadly for future, explicit genome wide association studies (GWAS), either in stand-alone analyses or to complement other types of data. For this reason, we examined a very broad array of phenotypic traits. In total, we performed 201 distinct association tests using web-derived phenotype data appended to 290 uniquely named Cannabis strains. Our results indicated that chemical phenotypes, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, may have sufficiently high-quality information available through web-based sources to allow for genetic association inferences. In many cases, variation in chemical traits correlated with genetic variation in or near biologically reasonable candidate genes, including several not previously implicated in Cannabis chemical variation. As with chemical phenotypes, we found that publicly available data on growth traits such as height, area of growth, and floral yield may be precise enough for use in future association studies. In contrast, phenotypic information for subjective traits such as taste, physiological affect, neurological affect, and medicinal use appeared less reliable. These results are consistent with the high degree of subjectivity for such trait data found on internet databases, and suggest that future work on these important but less easily quantifiable characteristics of Cannabis may require dedicated, controlled phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Aardema
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rob DeSalle
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
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29
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Adal AM, Doshi K, Holbrook L, Mahmoud SS. Comparative RNA-Seq analysis reveals genes associated with masculinization in female Cannabis sativa. PLANTA 2021; 253:17. [PMID: 33392743 PMCID: PMC7779414 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03522-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Using RNA profiling, we identified several silver thiosulfate-induced genes that potentially control the masculinization of female Cannabis sativa plants. Genetically female Cannabis sativa plants normally bear female flowers, but can develop male flowers in response to environmental and developmental cues. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular elements responsible for sex expression in C. sativa plants, we developed genetically female lines producing both female and chemically-induced male flowers. Furthermore, we carried out RNA-Seq assays aimed at identifying differentially expressed genes responsible for male flower development in female plants. The results revealed over 10,500 differentially expressed genes, of which around 200 potentially control masculinization of female cannabis plants. These genes include transcription factors and other genes involved in male organ (i.e., anther and pollen) development, as well as genes involved in phytohormone signalling and male-biased phenotypes. The expressions of 15 of these genes were further validated by qPCR assay confirming similar expression patterns to that of RNA-Seq data. These genes would be useful for understanding predisposed plants producing flowers of both sex types in the same plant, and help breeders to regulate the masculinization of female plants through targeted breeding and plant biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelign M Adal
- Department of Biology, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Ketan Doshi
- Zyus Life Sciences Inc., 204-407 Downey Rd, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Larry Holbrook
- Zyus Life Sciences Inc., 204-407 Downey Rd, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Soheil S Mahmoud
- Department of Biology, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
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30
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Braich S, Baillie RC, Spangenberg GC, Cogan NOI. A new and improved genome sequence of Cannabis sativa. GIGABYTE 2020; 2020:gigabyte10. [PMID: 36824593 PMCID: PMC9632002 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is a diploid species (2n = 20), the estimated haploid genome sizes of the female and male plants using flow cytometry are 818 and 843 Mb respectively. Although the genome of Cannabis has been sequenced (from hemp, wild and high-THC strains), all assemblies have significant gaps. In addition, there are inconsistencies in the chromosome numbering which limits their use. A new comprehensive draft genome sequence assembly (∼900 Mb) has been generated from the medicinal cannabis strain Cannbio-2, that produces a balanced ratio of cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol using long-read sequencing. The assembly was subsequently analysed for completeness by ordering the contigs into chromosome-scale pseudomolecules using a reference genome assembly approach, annotated and compared to other existing reference genome assemblies. The Cannbio-2 genome sequence assembly was found to be the most complete genome sequence available based on nucleotides assembled and BUSCO evaluation in Cannabis sativa with a comprehensive genome annotation. The new draft genome sequence is an advancement in Cannabis genomics permitting pan-genome analysis, genomic selection as well as genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivraj Braich
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Rebecca C. Baillie
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Noel O. I. Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia, Corresponding author. E-mail:
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31
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Deguchi M, Kane S, Potlakayala S, George H, Proano R, Sheri V, Curtis WR, Rudrabhatla S. Metabolic Engineering Strategies of Industrial Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.): A Brief Review of the Advances and Challenges. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:580621. [PMID: 33363552 PMCID: PMC7752810 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.580621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a diploid (2n = 20), dioecious plant that is grown for fiber, seed, and oil. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in this crop because of its panoply of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phenolic compounds. Specifically, hemp contains terpenophenolic compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), which act on cannabinoid receptors and positively regulate various human metabolic, immunological, and physiological functions. CBD and CBG have an effect on the cytokine metabolism, which has led to the examination of cannabinoids on the treatment of viral diseases, including COVID-19. Based on genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic studies, several synthetic pathways of hemp secondary metabolite production have been elucidated. Nevertheless, there are few reports on hemp metabolic engineering despite obvious impact on scientific and industrial sectors. In this article, recent status and current perspectives on hemp metabolic engineering are reviewed. Three distinct approaches to expedite phytochemical yield are discussed. Special emphasis has been placed on transgenic and transient gene delivery systems, which are critical for successful metabolic engineering of hemp. The advent of new tools in synthetic biology, particularly the CRISPR/Cas systems, enables environment-friendly metabolic engineering to increase the production of desirable hemp phytochemicals while eliminating the psychoactive compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihito Deguchi
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Shriya Kane
- School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Shobha Potlakayala
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Hannah George
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Renata Proano
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Vijay Sheri
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Wayne R. Curtis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Sairam Rudrabhatla
- The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
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32
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New frontiers: harnessing pivotal advances in microbial engineering for the biosynthesis of plant-derived terpenoids. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 65:88-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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33
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Booth JK, Yuen MMS, Jancsik S, Madilao LL, Page JE, Bohlmann J. Terpene Synthases and Terpene Variation in Cannabis sativa. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 184:130-147. [PMID: 32591428 PMCID: PMC7479917 DOI: 10.1104/pp.20.00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) resin is the foundation of a multibillion dollar medicinal and recreational plant bioproducts industry. Major components of the cannabis resin are the cannabinoids and terpenes. Variations of cannabis terpene profiles contribute much to the different flavor and fragrance phenotypes that affect consumer preferences. A major problem in the cannabis industry is the lack of proper metabolic characterization of many of the existing cultivars, combined with sometimes incorrect cultivar labeling. We characterized foliar terpene profiles of plants grown from 32 seed sources and found large variation both within and between sets of plants labeled as the same cultivar. We selected five plants representing different cultivars with contrasting terpene profiles for clonal propagation, floral metabolite profiling, and trichome-specific transcriptome sequencing. Sequence analysis of these five cultivars and the reference genome of cv Purple Kush revealed a total of 33 different cannabis terpene synthase (CsTPS) genes, as well as variations of the CsTPS gene family and differential expression of terpenoid and cannabinoid pathway genes between cultivars. Our annotation of the cv Purple Kush reference genome identified 19 complete CsTPS gene models, and tandem arrays of isoprenoid and cannabinoid biosynthetic genes. An updated phylogeny of the CsTPS gene family showed three cannabis-specific clades, including a clade of sesquiterpene synthases within the TPS-b subfamily that typically contains mostly monoterpene synthases. The CsTPSs described and functionally characterized here include 13 that had not been previously characterized and that collectively explain a diverse range of cannabis terpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith K Booth
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Macaire M S Yuen
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Sharon Jancsik
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Lufiani L Madilao
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Jonathan E Page
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Aurora Cannabis, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3J5
| | - Jörg Bohlmann
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
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Romero P, Peris A, Vergara K, Matus JT. Comprehending and improving cannabis specialized metabolism in the systems biology era. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 298:110571. [PMID: 32771172 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa is a source of food, fiber and specialized metabolites such as cannabinoids, with psychoactive and pharmacological effects. Due to its expanding and increasingly-accepted use in medicine, cannabis cultivation is acquiring more importance and less social stigma. Humans initiated different domestication episodes whose later spread gave rise to a plethora of landrace cultivars. At present, breeders cross germplasms from different gene pools depending on their specific use. The fiber (hemp) and drug (marijuana) types of C. sativa differ in their cannabinoid chemical composition phenotype (chemotype) and also in the accumulation of terpenoid compounds that constitute a strain's particular flavor and scent. Cannabinoids are isoprenylated polyketides among which cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and (-)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) have been well-documented for their many effects on humans. Here, we review the most studied specialized metabolic pathways in C. sativa, showing how terpenes and cannabinoids share both part of the isoprenoid pathway and the same biosynthetic compartmentalization (i.e. glandular trichomes of leaves and flowers). We enlist the several studies that have deciphered these pathways in this species including physical and genetic maps, QTL analyses and localization and enzymatic studies of cannabinoid and terpene synthases. In addition, new comparative modeling of cannabinoid synthases and phylogenetic trees are presented. We describe the genome sequencing initiatives of several accessions with the concomitant generation of next-generation genome maps and transcriptomic data. Very recently, proteomic characterizations and systems biology approaches such as those applying network theory or the integration of multi-omics data have increased the knowledge on gene function, enzyme diversity and metabolite content in C. sativa. In this revision we drift through the history, present and future of cannabis research and on how second- and third-generation sequencing technologies are bringing light to the field of cannabis specialized metabolism. We also discuss different biotechnological approaches for producing cannabinoids in engineered microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Romero
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I²SysBio (Universitat de València - CSIC), 46908, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Peris
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I²SysBio (Universitat de València - CSIC), 46908, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - K Vergara
- Centro de Estudios del Cannabis, CECANN, Santiago, Chile
| | - J T Matus
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I²SysBio (Universitat de València - CSIC), 46908, Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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