Unveiling the Genetic Basis of Terpene Biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae Species

Chinese researchers at the Chinese Academy of Forestry have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of plant science, shedding light on the genetic basis of terpene biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae species. The team's research, published in the journal Horticulture Research, reveals that a total of 1824 candidate gene clusters with varying sizes were identified across seven representative species of Euphorbiaceae. After stringent screening, 16 high-confidence terpene gene clusters were pinpointed, including the well-known casbene and casbene-derived diterpenoid gene cluster. The findings represent a significant step towards understanding the genetic basis of terpene biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae species, with potential applications in the production of pharmacologically relevant terpenes.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chinese Academy of Forestry researchers identified 1824 candidate gene clusters with varying sizes across seven representative species of Euphorbiaceae, including , , , and.
• The 16 high-confidence terpene gene clusters were identified after satisfying three stringent screening criteria: TPS/CYP pairwise relationship, copathway and coexpression patterns.
• The well-known casbene and casbene-derived diterpenoid gene cluster, involved in the biosynthesis of casbene, neocembrene, ingenanes, and jatrophanes, was identified and universally present in Euphorbiaceae species, except.
• The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was initially appeared, and neocembrene synthase is exclusively present in while absent in all the other species.
• The findings represent a significant step towards understanding the genetic basis of terpene biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae species, with potential applications in the production of pharmacologically relevant terpenes.

Statistics:

• Seven representative species of Euphorbiaceae were examined in the study (, , , and).
• A total of 1824 candidate gene clusters were identified across these species.
• 16 high-confidence terpene gene clusters were pinpointed after stringent screening.
• The well-known casbene and casbene-derived diterpenoid gene cluster was universally present in Euphorbiaceae species, except.
• The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was initially appeared in, and neocembrene synthase is exclusively present in, a unique characteristic among the species examined.

Sources:

• "Genome-wide terpene gene clusters analysis in Euphorbiaceae." Horticulture Research, 2025;12(7).
• Chinese Academy of Forestry. NewsRx. Chinese Academy of Forestry Reports Findings in Plant Science (Genome-wide terpene gene clusters analysis in Euphorbiaceae). Chemicals & Chemistry. June 13, 2025; p 392.