The Genome of Stephania japonica Provides Insights into the Biosynthesis of Cepharanthine
Published:23 Apr.2024 Source:Cell Reports
Stephania japonica is an early-diverging eudicotyledon plant with high levels of cepharanthine, proven to be effective in curing coronavirus infections. Here, we report a high-quality S. japonica genome. The genome size is 688.52 Mb, and 97.37% sequences anchor to 11 chromosomes.
The genome comprises 67.46% repetitive sequences and 21 036 genes. It is closely related to two Ranunculaceae species, which diverged from their common ancestor 55.90~71.02 million years ago (Mya) with a whole-genome duplication 85.59~96.75 Mya. We further reconstruct ancestral karyotype of Ranunculales. Several cepharanthine biosynthesis genes are identified and verified by western blot. Two genes (Sja03G0243 and Sja03G0241) exhibit catalytic activity as shown by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Then, cepharanthine biosynthesis genes, transcription factors, and CYP450 family genes are used to construct a comprehensive network. Finally, we construct an early-diverging eudicotyledonous genome resources (EEGR) database. As the first genome of the Menispermaceae family to be released, this study provides rich resources for genomic studies.