Chromosome-level genome assembly and resequencing of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) provides insight into phylogeny and diversification of terpenoid and triglyceride biosynthesis of Cinnamomum.

Abstract

Cinnamomum species attract attentions owing to their scents, medicinal properties, and ambiguous relationship in the phylogenetic tree. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly of Cinnamomum camphora, based on which two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events were detected in the C. camphora genome: one was shared with Magnoliales, and the other was unique to Lauraceae. Phylogenetic analyses illustrated that Lauraceae species formed a compact sister clade to the eudicots. We then performed whole-genome resequencing on 24 Cinnamomum species native to China, and the results showed that the topology of Cinnamomum species was not entirely consistent with morphological classification. The rise and molecular basis of chemodiversity in Cinnamomum were also fascinating issues. In this study, six chemotypes were classified and six main terpenoids were identified as major contributors of chemodiversity in C. camphora by the principal component analysis. Through in vitro assays and subcellular localization analyses, we identified two key terpene synthase (TPS) genes (CcTPS16 and CcTPS54), the products of which were characterized to catalyze the biosynthesis of two uppermost volatiles (i.e. 1,8-cineole and (iso)nerolidol), respectively, and meditate the generation of two chemotypes by transcriptional regulation and compartmentalization. Additionally, the pathway of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) biosynthesis in Lauraceae was investigated for the first time. Synteny analysis suggested that the divergent synthesis of MCT and long-chain triglyceride (LCT) in Lauraceae kernels was probably controlled by specific medium-chain fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase (FatB), type-B lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (type-B LPAAT), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2b (DGAT 2b) isoforms during co-evolution with retentions or deletions in the genome.