Project description:Stevia rebaudiana (stevia) is a plant that accumulates high levels of steviol glycosides (SGs) in its leaves, which provide strong sweetness. In this study, we used single‑nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA‑seq) to resolve the expression landscape of SG‑biosynthetic genes across individual cell types in stevia leaves. We identified distinct nuclear clusters corresponding to different cell types such as mesophyll, epidermis, trichomes and vascular bundle sheath. Notably, UGT76G‑family and UGT91D4 sugar‑transferase genes showed high expression in mesophyll and epidermal nuclei, suggesting spatial division of SG production within leaf tissues.
Project description:Comparative transcriptomics unravel biochemical specialization of leaf tissues of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) for diterpenoid production