Comparative genome and metabolome analyses uncover the evolution and flavonoid biosynthesis between Apocynum venetum and Apocynum hendersonii
Gang Gao,
Aminu Shehu Abubakar,
Jikang Chen,
Ping Chen,
Kunmei Chen,
Chunming Yu,
Xiaofei Wang,
Xiaojun Qiu,
Xiaoyu Huang,
Deyi Shao,
Yue Wang,
Yu Chen,
Aiguo Zhu
Affiliations
Gang Gao
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Aminu Shehu Abubakar
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China; Department of Agronomy, Bayero University Kano, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria
Jikang Chen
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Ping Chen
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Kunmei Chen
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Chunming Yu
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Xiaofei Wang
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Xiaojun Qiu
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Xiaoyu Huang
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Deyi Shao
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Yue Wang
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Yu Chen
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China
Aiguo Zhu
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Biological and Processing for Bast Fiber Crops, MARA, Changsha 410221, People’s Republic of China; Corresponding author
Summary: Apocynum species have great application prospects in textile and phytoremediation of saline soil, are rich in flavonoids, and possess medicinal significance. Here, we report the draft genomes of Apocynum venetum and Apocynum hendersonii, and elucidate their evolutionary relationship. The high synteny and collinearity between the two suggested that they have experienced the same WGD event. Comparative analysis revealed that flavone 3-hydroxylase (ApF3H) and differentially evolved flavonoid 3-O-glucosyl transferase (ApUFGT) genes are critical for determining natural variation in flavonoid biosynthesis between the species. Overexpression of ApF3H-1 enhanced the total flavonoid content and promoted the antioxidant capacity of transformed plants compared to the wild-type. ApUFGT5 and 6 explained the diversification of flavonoids or their derivatives. These data provide biochemical insight and knowledge on the genetic regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, supporting the adoption of these genes in breeding programs aimed at the multipurpose utilization of the plants.
