Nature Communications (Sep 2024)

Multi-omics analyzes of Rosa gigantea illuminate tea scent biosynthesis and release mechanisms

  • Lijun Zhou,
  • Sihui Wu,
  • Yunyi Chen,
  • Runhuan Huang,
  • Bixuan Cheng,
  • Qingyi Mao,
  • Tinghan Liu,
  • Yuchen Liu,
  • Kai Zhao,
  • Huitang Pan,
  • Chao Yu,
  • Xiang Gao,
  • Le Luo,
  • Qixiang Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52782-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract Rose is an important ornamental crop cultivated globally for perfume production. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying scent production and molecular breeding for fragrance is hindered by the lack of a reference genome for tea roses. We present the first complete telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of Rosa gigantea, with high quality (QV > 60), including detailed characterization of the structural features of repetitive regions. The expansion of genes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis may account for the unique tea scent. We uncover the release rhythm of aromatic volatile organic compounds and their gene regulatory networks through comparative genomics and time-ordered gene co-expression networks. Analyzes of eugenol homologs demonstrate how plants attract pollinators using specialized phenylpropanoids in specific tissues. This study highlights the conservation and utilization of genetic diversity from wild endangered species through multi-omics approaches, providing a scientific foundation for enhancing rose fragrance via de novo domestication.