Root-specific theanine metabolism and regulation at the single-cell level in tea plants (Camellia sinensis).

ABSTRACT: Root-synthesized secondary metabolites are critical quality-conferring compounds of foods, plant-derived medicines, and beverages. However, information at a single-cell level on root-specific secondary metabolism remains largely unexplored. L-Theanine, an important quality component of tea, is primarily synthesized in roots, from which it is then transported to new shoots of tea plant. In this study, we present a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)-derived map for the tea plant root, which enabled cell-type-specific analysis of glutamate and ethylamine (two precursors of theanine biosynthesis) metabolism, and theanine biosynthesis, storage, and transport. Our findings support a model in which the theanine biosynthesis pathway occurs via multicellular compartmentation and does not requir

SUBMITTER: Lin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11473105 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature