Identification of cucurbitacins and assembly of a draft genome for Aquilaria agallocha
Journal
BMC Genomics
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2014-07-09
Author(s)
Chen, Chuan Hung
Kuo, Tony Chien Yen
Yang, Meng Han
Chien, Ting Ying
Chu, Mei Ju
Chen, Long-Fang O.
Abstract
Background: Agarwood is derived from Aquilaria trees, the trade of which has come under strict control with a listing in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Many secondary metabolites of agarwood are known to have medicinal value to humans, including compounds that have been shown to elicit sedative effects and exhibit anti-cancer properties. However, little is known about the genome, transcriptome, and the biosynthetic pathways responsible for producing such secondary metabolites in agarwood.Results: In this study, we present a draft genome and a putative pathway for cucurbitacin E and I, compounds with known medicinal value, from in vitro Aquilaria agallocha agarwood. DNA and RNA data are utilized to annotate many genes and protein functions in the draft genome. The expression changes for cucurbitacin E and I are shown to be consistent with known responses of A. agallocha to biotic stress and a set of homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana related to cucurbitacin bio-synthesis is presented and validated through qRT-PCR.Conclusions: This study is the first attempt to identify cucurbitacin E and I from in vitro agarwood and the first draft genome for any species of Aquilaria. The results of this study will aid in future investigations of secondary metabolite pathways in Aquilaria and other non-model medicinal plants. © 2014 Chen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Subjects
Agarwood
Aquilaria
Cucurbitacin
Genome
SDGs
Other Subjects
cucurbitacin; cucurbitacin e; cucurbitacin i; DNA; RNA; unclassified drug; cucurbitacin; enzyme; vegetable protein; Aquilaria; aquilaria agallocha; Arabidopsis thaliana; article; biosynthesis; biotic stress; chemical analysis; DNA determination; DNA extraction; gene expression; gene function; genomics; in vitro study; molecular genetics; nonhuman; plant genome; protein function; qualitative analysis; real time polymerase chain reaction; RNA analysis; RNA extraction; transcriptomics; chemistry; electrospray mass spectrometry; gene library; genetics; high performance liquid chromatography; metabolism; sequence analysis; Thymelaeaceae; Aquilaria; Aquilaria agallocha; Arabidopsis thaliana; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cucurbitacins; Enzymes; Gene Library; Genome, Plant; Plant Proteins; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Thymelaeaceae
Publisher
BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
Type
journal article
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