A chromosome-scale Rhubarb (Rheum tanguticum) genome assembly provides insights into the evolution of anthraquinone biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Rhubarb is the collective name for various perennial plants from the genus Rheum L. and the Polygonaceae family. They are one of the most ancient, commonly used, and important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Rhubarb is a major source of anthraquinones, but how they are synthesized remains largely unknown. Here, we generate a genome sequence assembly of one important medicinal rhubarb R. tanguticum at the chromosome level, with 2.76 Gb assembled into 11 chromosomes. The genome is shaped by two recent whole-genome duplication events and recent bursts of retrotransposons. Metabolic analyses show that the major anthraquinones are mainly synthesized in its roots. Transcriptomic analysis reveals a co-expression module with a high correlation to anthraquinone biosynthesis that includes key

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10447539 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature