The genome of Stephania japonica provides insights into the biosynthesis of cepharanthine

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113832
• Publication Date: 2024-02-20T21:54:15Z
• Authors: Zhuo Liu; Shaoqin Shen; Yujie Wang; Shuqi Sun; Tong Yu; Yanhong Fu; Rong Zhou; Chunjin Li; Rui Cao; Yanshu Zhang; Nan Li; Liangdan Sun; Xiaoming Song
• Keywords: CP: Genomics; CP: Plants; 0303 health sciences; QH301-705.5; Karyotype; COVID-19; karyotype reconstruction; Benzylisoquinolines; S. japonica; 03 medical and health sciences; genome assembly and evolution; Genome Size; database construction; cepharanthine; Benzodioxoles; Biology (General); benzylisoquinoline alkaloid; Phylogeny; Stephania

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.