Abstract
Catechin epimerization is an important factor affecting tea catechin compositions and thereby tea quality. However, a lack of tea germplasms with high non-epicatechins limits relative research. Here, a tea cultivar Y510 with high non-epicatechins was firstly reported and used for catechin and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis. Results showed that the (-)-gallocatechin gallate and (+)-catechin (C) contents in Y510 were at least 136 and 6 times higher than those in Fudingdabaicha and 0306I, but the epicatechins (-)-epigallocatechin and (-)-epicatechin (EC) were significantly lower. Eleven unigenes potentially involved in catechin epimerization were identified by RNA-Seq analysis. Based on a combination of catechin and gene expression analysis, it was hypothesized that two anthocyanidin reductase genes (CsANR1, CsANR2) and an anthocyanidin synthase gene (CsANS) are the key genes affecting catechin epimerization in tea. Non-epicatechin formations were hypothesized to be mainly influenced by the expression ratio of CsANR2 to CsANR1 and the expression of CsANS. Overexpression of CsANS in an Arabidopsis mutant tds4-2 led to a significant increase of EC accumulation in seeds, revealing CsANS is important for catechin epimerization. These results shed new light on breeding tea cultivars with special catechin compositions.
Highlights
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a worldwide popular beverage and its consumption is related to many health benefits, such as reducing the risks of cancers (Fujiki et al, 2002), cardiovascular disease (Tijburg et al, 1997), preventing obesity-related disorder (Wolfram et al, 2006) and other oxidative stress-related diseases (Song et al, 2002; Lambert et al, 2005)
These beneficial effects suggest that identification of tea germplasm with high (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG) content and exploring its potential mechanism will be valuable for tea breeding
An extremely high GCG peak was observed in Y510
Summary
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a worldwide popular beverage and its consumption is related to many health benefits, such as reducing the risks of cancers (Fujiki et al, 2002), cardiovascular disease (Tijburg et al, 1997), preventing obesity-related disorder (Wolfram et al, 2006) and other oxidative stress-related diseases (Song et al, 2002; Lambert et al, 2005). These beneficial effects suggest that identification of tea germplasm with high GCG content and exploring its potential mechanism will be valuable for tea breeding
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
