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Decoding the Genetic Basis of Aromatic Terpene Metabolism in Rosemary: Ancient Whole-Genome Duplications and Ancestral Karyotypes Shed Light on Evolutionary Signatures
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  • Dongfeng Yang,
  • Ying Cheng,
  • * Xin-Yu,
  • Jun-Jie Wu,
  • Xuan Zhou,
  • Gang-Gui Lou,
  • Cathie Martin,
  • Yue Chen,
  • Zhuo-Ni Hou,
  • Bei-Mi Cui,
  • Fei-Yan Wang,
  • Zhe-Chen Qi,
  • Zong-Suo Liang
Dongfeng Yang
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ying Cheng
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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* Xin-Yu
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Jun-Jie Wu
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Xuan Zhou
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Gang-Gui Lou
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Cathie Martin
John Innes Centre
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Yue Chen
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Zhuo-Ni Hou
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Bei-Mi Cui
The University of Edinburgh Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences
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Fei-Yan Wang
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Zhe-Chen Qi
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Zong-Suo Liang
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
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Abstract

Salvia rosmarinus, a commonly known aromatic plant belonging to the Salvia genus, is valued for its medicinal properties, derived primarily from the terpenoids present in its leaves. We have successfully created a chromosome-level genome assembly of S. rosmarinus, covering 1.24 Gb, with a scaffold N50 value of 107.45 Mb and 61,717 annotated protein-coding genes. Our analysis highlights a recent whole genome duplication (WGD) event as the primary driver of genomic rearrangement and fusion following speciation. As a result of the WGD, key genes involved in monoterpene biosynthesis, such as HMGR, 1,8-cineole synthase, and limonene synthase, underwent tandem duplication and double punctuation. Limonene synthase experienced a nonpolar mutation that favored structural diversity in monoterpene biosynthesis, while 1,8-cineole synthase underwent a polar mutation that favored 1,8-cineole(eucalyptol) accumulation. In addition, our analysis revealed differences in the mechanisms of diterpene biosynthesis between S. rosmarinus and S. miltiorrhiza, as evidenced by the tandem duplication, covariance, and high-level expression of genes essential for carnosol biosynthesis, specifically CYP76AK6–8. These findings no punctuation for understanding the molecular-level diversity of terpenoids in S. rosmarinus and will facilitate molecular breeding and quality improvement efforts for this economically important plant.