Comparative genomics of the medicinal plants Lonicera macranthoides and L. japonica provides insight into genus genome evolution and hederagenin-based saponin biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Lonicera macranthoides (LM) and L. japonica (LJ) are medicinal plants widely used in treating viral diseases, such as COVID-19. Although the two species are morphologically similar, their secondary metabolite profiles are significantly different. Here, metabolomics analysis showed that LM contained ~86.01 mg/g hederagenin-based saponins, 2000-fold higher than LJ. To gain molecular insights into its secondary metabolite production, a chromosome-level genome of LM was constructed, comprising 9 pseudo-chromosomes with 40 097 protein-encoding genes. Genome evolution analysis showed that LM and LJ were diverged 1.30-2.27 million years ago (MYA). The two plant species experienced a common whole-genome duplication event that occurred ∼53.9-55.2 MYA before speciation. Genes involved in hederagenin

SUBMITTER: Yin X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10579715 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature