Subfunctionalization and epigenetic regulation of a biosynthetic gene cluster in Solanaceae

Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) describe the agglomeration of genes that contribute to the same biochemical pathway in a genetically linked genomic locus. Such BGCs coordinate the production of specialized metabolites and play an important role in the defensive chemical arsenal of plants and fungi. Here, we report on a BGC in species of the nightshade family that encodes the biosynthesis of withanolides, a group of diverse and multifunctional plant-specialized metabolites that are of interest in the context of plant protection and human health. Using Physalis grisea (ground-cherry) as a model, we show how this BGC is organized into different domains at the chromatin and epigenetic level, and how this organization modulates the specific activity and functionality of the biosynthesis.

生物合成基因簇（Biosynthetic gene clusters, BGCs）指的是位于遗传连锁基因组区域内、参与同一生化途径的基因集合。此类生物合成基因簇可协同调控特化代谢物的合成，并在植物与真菌的防御性化学储备库中发挥重要作用。本研究报道了茄科物种中的一类生物合成基因簇，其编码醉茄内酯类化合物的生物合成——该类化合物是一类结构多样、功能多元的植物特化代谢物，在植物保护与人类健康领域具有研究价值。本研究以灰果酸浆（Physalis grisea，俗称地樱桃）为实验模型，阐明了该BGC在染色质与表观遗传层面的不同结构域组织方式，以及该组织模式如何调控其生物合成的特异性活性与功能。