Abstract
Cannabinoids are the main medicinal compounds of interest in the plant Cannabis sativa, that are primarily synthesised in the glandular trichomes; found on female floral buds. The content, composition and yield of secondary metabolites (cannabinoids and terpenoids) is influenced by the plant’s genetics and environment. Some initial gene expression experiments have been performed from strains of this plant species that contrasted in cannabinoid production, however the present knowledge about detailed trichome transcriptomics in this species is limited. An extensive transcriptome atlas was generated by RNA sequencing using root, shoot, flower and trichome tissues from a female plant strain (Cannbio-2) and was enhanced with the addition of vegetative and reproductive tissues from a male cannabis plant. Differential gene expression analysis identified genes preferentially expressed in different tissues. Detailed trichomics was performed from extractions specifically from glandular trichomes as well as female floral tissues at varying developmental stages, to identify stage-specific differentially expressed genes. Candidate genes involved in terpene and cannabinoid synthesis were identified and the majority were found to have an abundant expression in trichomes. The comprehensive transcriptome is a significant resource in cannabis for further research of functional genomics to improve the yield of specialised metabolites with high pharmacological value.
Highlights
Trichomes are generally defined as unicellular or multicellular structures, which develops from epidermal cells
The current study reports on the generation of a comprehensive transcriptome assembly, Cannbio assembly using RNA-Seq from a female cannabis plant strain, Cannbio-2 which was enhanced by leaf and reproductive flower data from a male cannabis plant strain, Cannbio-male
A comprehensive analysis in the expression of genes based on tissue type and developmental stage during female flower development, with the additional dissection of trichomes tissues was lacking for the species
Summary
Trichomes are generally defined as unicellular or multicellular structures, which develops from epidermal cells. The cannabis plant is primarily known for its production of cannabinoids (especially THC and CBD), Assembly. The yield of cannabinoids and terpenes is influenced by the genetic constitution of the plant and its environment[15,16,17] In this context, genes are responsible for determining the plant’s chemotype, density of trichomes, size of resin heads and the gender of the plant with some influence of the environment. Differential gene expression profiles in all plant tissues and across female flower developmental stages were analysed. The expression level of genes involved in terpenoid and cannabinoid synthesis identified from ‘Finola’ resin[24] was compared in various tissue types and across female flower developmental stages in trichomes. The results from this study are significant for prediction of cannabinoids and terpenes composition and for selection based on phytochemical diversity which can be further studied in future research
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