Comparative genomics provides insights into the biogeographic and biochemical diversity of meliaceous species.

ABSTRACT: Meliaceous plants such as Azadirachta indica (neem) and Melia azedarach (chinaberry) contain large amounts of limonoids with unique anti-insect activities. However, genes responsible for downstream modifications of limonoids are not well known. Here, we improve the genome assemblies of neem and chinaberry to the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) level. Allopatric speciation of the two plants is confirmed by the lineage-specific inversion of chromosome 12 in the neem lineage. We further identify two BAHD-acetyltransferases (ATs) in chinaberry (MaAT8824 and MaAT1704) that catalyse acetylation at both the C-12 and C-3 hydroxyl groups of limonoids, whereas the syntenic neem copy (AiAT0635) does not possess this activity. A critical N-terminal region (SAGAVP) is crucial for the acetylation of AiAT0635

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11914090 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature