A high-quality genome assembly of the tetraploid Teucrium chamaedrys unveils a recent whole genome duplication and a large biosynthetic gene cluster for diterpenoid metabolism

Journal Article · Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Plant Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101393· OSTI ID:2569679

Bryson, Abigail E. ^[1]; Childs, Kevin L. ^[1]; Schlecht, Nicholas ^[1]; Mathieu, Davis ^[1]; Hamilton, John P. ^[2]; Xin, Haoyang ^[1]; Jiang, Jiming ^[1]; Buell, C. Robin ^[2]; Hamberger, Bjӧrn ^[1]

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1. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States)
2. University of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)

Teucrium chamaedrys, also called wall germander, is a small woody shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Its name is derived from the Greek words meaning ‘ground oak’, since its tiny leaves resemble those of an oak tree. Teucrium species are proliferative producers of diterpenes, which afford them valuable properties widely co-opted in traditional and western medicines. Sequence and assembly of the 3 Gbp tetraploid T. chamaedrys revealed 74 diterpene synthase genes, with the vast representation of these diterpene synthases clustered along four genomic loci. Comparative genomics revealed that this cluster is mirrored in the closely related species, Teucrium marum. Along with the presence of several cytochrome p450 sequences, this region is the one of largest biosynthetic gene clusters identified. Teucrium is well known for accumulating clerodane-type diterpenoids which are produced from a kolavanyl diphosphate precursor. To elucidate the complex biosynthetic pathways of these medicinal compounds, we identified and functionally characterized several kolavanyl diphosphate synthases from T. chamaedrys. Its remarkable chemistry and tetraploidy make T. chamaedrys an interesting and unique model for studying genomic evolution and adaptation in plants.

• Research Organization: Chicago Office, Argonne, IL (United States); DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Madison, WI (United States); Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States); University of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0018409
• OSTI ID: 2569679
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2584702
• Journal Information: Plant Communications, Journal Name: Plant Communications; ISSN 2590-3462
• Publisher: Cell Press
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Lamiaceae (mint)
Teucrium
biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC)
diterpenoid