Chromosome-level genome assembly of <i>Cornus officinalis</i> reveals the evolution of loganin biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Cornus officinalis is a traditional medicinal plant known for producing loganin, a bioactive iridoid glycoside with potential anticancer properties. However, the absence of a high-quality reference genome has limited insights into its biosynthetic pathways. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of C. officinalis with a size of 2.85 Gb. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the genome expansion and longer gene structures, relative to other Cornales species, are primarily due to a recent expansion of transposable elements. In this study, we identified unique biosynthetic gene clusters coding multiple core enzymes, including loganin acid O-methyltransferase (LAMT), secologanin synthase (SLS), and cytochrome P450, all of which catalyze sequential steps l

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12860560 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature