Smit, Samuel J orcid.org/0000-0002-7382-5113, Ayten, Sefa, Radzikowska, Barbara A et al. (6 more authors) (2024) The genomic and enzymatic basis for iridoid biosynthesis in cat thyme (Teucrium marum). The Plant journal. ISSN 1365-313X
Abstract
Iridoids are non-canonical monoterpenoids produced by both insects and plants. An example is the cat-attracting and insect-repelling volatile iridoid nepetalactone, produced by Nepeta sp. (catmint) and aphids. Recently, both nepetalactone biosynthetic pathways were elucidated, showing a remarkable convergent evolution. The iridoid, dolichodial, produced by Teucrium marum (cat thyme) and multiple insect species, has highly similar properties to nepetalactone but its biosynthetic origin remains unknown. We set out to determine the genomic, enzymatic, and evolutionary basis of iridoid biosynthesis in T. marum. First, we generated a de novo chromosome-scale genome assembly for T. marum using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long reads and proximity-by-ligation Hi-C reads. The 610.3 Mb assembly spans 15 pseudomolecules with a 32.9 Mb N50 scaffold size. This enabled identification of iridoid biosynthetic genes, whose roles were verified via activity assays. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the evolutionary history of T. marum iridoid synthase, the iridoid scaffold-forming enzyme, is not orthologous to typical iridoid synthases but is derived from its conserved paralog. We discovered an enzymatic route from nepetalactol to diverse iridoids through the coupled activity of an iridoid oxidase cytochrome P450 and acetyltransferases, via an inferred acylated intermediate. This work provides a genomic resource for specialized metabolite research in mints and demonstration of the role of acetylation in T. marum iridoid diversity. This work will enable future biocatalytic or biosynthetic production of potent insect repellents, as well as comparative studies into iridoid biosynthesis in insects.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. The Plant Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Biology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Chemistry (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Biology (York) > Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 21 Mar 2024 16:20 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jan 2025 00:34 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.16698 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/tpj.16698 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:210747 |
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Description: The Plant Journal - 2024 - Smit - The genomic and enzymatic basis for iridoid biosynthesis in cat thyme Teucrium marum
Licence: CC-BY 2.5