Mimi Liu¹ , Dan Zhao¹ , Degang Zhao^1,2

1 The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of AgroBioengineering / College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
2 Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology / Biotechnology Institute of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 6   
Received: 09 Nov., 2024    Accepted: 10 Dec., 2024    Published: 18 Dec., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study aims to explore the potential of genetic modification techniques in improving the production efficiency of Eucommia ulmoides. Eucommia ulmoides has garnered attention for its medicinal and industrial value, particularly in its role in rubber biosynthesis. Utilizing high-quality genome assembly and transcriptomic analysis, the research identified a series of key genes and metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of rubber and chlorogenic acid, sex differentiation, and stress response. Notably, the study found that the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway is the primary route for isopentenyl diphosphate synthesis in Eucommia ulmoides, while the mevalonate (MVA) pathway serves this role in the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Additionally, the EuAP3 and EuAG genes are associated with sex differentiation, and the high expression of the ω-3 fatty acid desaturase-encoding gene EU0103017 is related to the biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid. The study also revealed that the promoter activity of the small rubber particle protein (SRPP) gene is regulated by methyl jasmonate, gibberellins, and drought pathways, indicating these factors as potential targets for gene enhancement. Moreover, the EuTIL1 gene was identified as a key gene for enhancing cold tolerance, providing a molecular basis for expanding the cultivation range of Eucommia ulmoides. The findings suggest that genetic modification techniques hold great potential in improving the yield and quality of Eucommia ulmoides. By modifying specific genes and metabolic pathways, it is expected to increase rubber yield, enhance stress resistance, and improve other economically important traits to meet the growing demand for this valuable resource.

Eucommia ulmoides; Genetic modification; Rubber biosynthesis; Chlorogenic acid; Sex differentiation; Stress tolerance; SRPP gene; EuTIL1 gene