A chromosome-level Camptotheca acuminata genome assembly provides insights into the evolutionary origin of camptothecin biosynthesis

Minghui Kang, Rao Fu, Pingyu Zhang, Shangling Lou, Xuchen Yang, Yang Chen, Tao Ma, Yang Zhang, Zhenxiang Xi and Jianquan Liu ()
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Minghui Kang: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Rao Fu: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Pingyu Zhang: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Shangling Lou: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Xuchen Yang: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Yang Chen: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Tao Ma: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Yang Zhang: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Zhenxiang Xi: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University
Jianquan Liu: Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Camptothecin and its derivatives are widely used for treating malignant tumors. Previous studies revealed only a limited number of candidate genes for camptothecin biosynthesis in Camptotheca acuminata, and it is still poorly understood how its biosynthesis of camptothecin has evolved. Here, we report a high-quality, chromosome-level C. acuminata genome assembly. We find that C. acuminata experiences an independent whole-genome duplication and numerous genes derive from it are related to camptothecin biosynthesis. Comparing with Catharanthus roseus, the loganic acid O-methyltransferase (LAMT) in C. acuminata fails to convert loganic acid into loganin. Instead, two secologanic acid synthases (SLASs) convert loganic acid to secologanic acid. The functional divergence of the LAMT gene and positive evolution of two SLAS genes, therefore, both contribute greatly to the camptothecin biosynthesis in C. acuminata. Our results emphasize the importance of high-quality genome assembly in identifying genetic changes in the evolutionary origin of a secondary metabolite.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23872-9

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