Genome Sequencing of Amomum tsao-ko Provides Novel Insight Into Its Volatile Component Biosynthesis

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science 2022-06, Vol.13, p.904178-904178
• Main Authors: Sun, Fenghui, Yan, Chaochao, Lv, Yunyun, Pu, Zhonghui, Liao, Zedong, Guo, Wei, Dai, Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amomum tsao-ko; flavonoid metabolic process; gene family expansion; genome; Plant Science; terpenoid biosynthesis
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.904178

As an important economic and medicinal crop, Amomum tsao-ko is rich in volatile oils and widely used in food additives, essential oils, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, the lack of the genome remains a limiting factor for understanding its medicinal properties at the molecular level. Here, based on 288.72 Gb of PacBio long reads and 105.45 Gb of Illumina paired-end short reads, we assembled a draft genome for A. tsao-ko (2.70 Gb in size, contig N50 of 2.45 Mb). Approximately 90.07% of the predicted genes were annotated in public databases. Based on comparative genomic analysis, genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, flavonoid metabolism, and terpenoid biosynthesis showed significant expansion. Notably, the DXS , GGPPS , and CYP450 genes, which participate in rate-limiting steps for terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and modification, may form the genetic basis for essential oil formation in A. tsao-ko . The assembled A. tsao-ko draft genome provides a valuable genetic resource for understanding the unique features of this plant and for further evolutionary and agronomic studies of Zingiberaceae species.