Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 223-234 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 229 7.2 Key functional genes and their roles in cannabinoid production Cannabinoid production in Cannabis sativa is primarily governed by specific genes involved in the biosynthesis pathways. The draft genome and transcriptome analysis of the marijuana strain Purple Kush identified key genes such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS), which are responsible for the production of THC and CBD, respectively (Bakel et al., 2011). These genes are located within large retrotransposon-rich regions that exhibit significant structural differences between drug-type and hemp-type alleles (Laverty et al., 2018). Additionally, the gene encoding cannabichromenic acid synthase (CBCAS) has been characterized, providing further insights into the diversity of cannabinoids produced by different cannabis strains. 7.3 Insights gained from genome sequencing in agricultural and medical applications Genome sequencing of Cannabis sativa has provided critical insights that have significant implications for both agricultural and medical applications. The availability of a high-quality reference genome facilitates the development of cannabis cultivars with tailored cannabinoid profiles, enhancing their therapeutic potential (Bakel et al., 2011). Furthermore, the identification of genetic markers linked to sex determination and cannabinoid content aids in the breeding of cannabis with desired traits, such as increased fiber production or specific medicinal properties (Pan et al., 2021; Ren et al., 2021) (Figure 3). These advancements in genomics are paving the way for more efficient and targeted breeding programs, ultimately contributing to the optimization of cannabis for various uses (Hurgobin et al., 2020; Sirangelo et al., 2022). Figure 3 Demographic history of C. sativa and selection signatures identified from comparison between hemp- and drug-type cultivars (Adopted from Ren et al., 2021) Image caption: (A) Demographic history inferred from the PSMC method. (B) Graphical summary of the best-fitting demographic model inferred by fastsimcoal2. Widths show the relative effective population sizes (Ne). Arrows and figures at the arrows indicate the average number of migrants per generation among different groups. The point estimates and 95% confidence intervals of demographic parameters are shown in table S3. Examples of genes with selection sweep signals in hemp-type cultivars (C) and drug-type cultivars (D). Three independent sets of signals (FST, π ratio, and XP-CLR) are shown along the genomic regions covering the four genes. Dashed lines represent the top 5% of the corresponding values. Below the three plot schemes are the gene models in the genomic regions. Below each gene model are the SNP allele distributions along each of the four genes for the two groups (green, heterozygous site; orange, homozygous site of reference allele; blue, homozygous site of alternative allele; gray, missing data) (Adopted from Ren et al., 2021)
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