Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 223-234 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 223 Review Article Open Access Research Progress in Genome Sequencing and Functional Gene Mining of Cannabis Shanyu Chen1*, Huijuan Tang2*, Si Jie 1, Wenjun Wang3, Lijuan Tang3, Guanhai Ruan1 1 Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, China; 2 Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410205, China; 3 Institute of Industrial Crops, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150000, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Corresponding author: 13906520484@163.com Genomics and Applied Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0024 Received: 07 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 19 Aug., 2024 Published: 08 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Chen et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Chen S.Y., Tang H.J., Jie S., Wang W.J., Tang L.J., and Ruan G.H., 2024, Research progress in genome sequencing and functional gene mining of cannabis, Genomics and Applied Biology, 15(5): 223-234 (doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0024) Abstract The primary goal of this study is to advance the understanding of the Cannabis sativa genome and to identify functional genes that contribute to its medicinal, industrial, and agricultural applications. Our comprehensive analysis revealed several key findings. Current Cannabis genome assemblies are incomplete, with significant portions missing or unmapped, which hampers accurate gene annotation. Recent advancements in genomics have identified four genes significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use: NCAM1, CADM2, SCOC, and KCNT2, which are linked to various phenotypes such as substance use and body mass index. Additionally, a high-quality reference genome for wild Cannabis sativa has been developed, providing valuable genetic resources for future research. In silico approaches have been proposed for genome editing, targeting genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis, which could lead to novel applications in agriculture and medicine. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) methods have been successfully applied to study gene functions in cannabis, demonstrating the potential for functional gene studies. The findings underscore the importance of coordinated efforts to complete and refine Cannabis genome assemblies. The identification of key genes and the development of advanced genomics tools hold significant promise for the genetic improvement of cannabis. These advancements could lead to enhanced medicinal and industrial applications, ultimately benefiting various sectors including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Keywords Cannabis sativa; Genome sequencing; Functional gene mining; Genomics, Cannabinoid biosynthesis; Gene editing; Virus-induced gene silencing 1 Introduction Cannabis sativa L., commonly known as cannabis, is a versatile plant species with a rich history of use spanning recreational, medicinal, industrial, and agricultural domains. It belongs to the Cannabaceae family, which also includes the genus Humulus, known for hops used in brewing (Kovalchuk et al., 2020). Cannabis has been cultivated for thousands of years, with its uses ranging from fiber production to its psychoactive and therapeutic properties (Hurgobin et al., 2020; Romero et al., 2020). The plant is characterized by its production of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other specialized metabolites, which contribute to its diverse applications (Romero et al., 2020). Cannabis holds significant importance across various sectors. Medically, it is renowned for its therapeutic properties, particularly cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which have been documented for their effects on human health (Romero et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2020). The relaxation of legal restrictions in many regions has spurred research into its medicinal potential, leading to advancements in understanding its molecular and genetic pathways (Hurgobin et al., 2020; Adams et al., 2021). In agriculture, cannabis is valued for its adaptability and the production of hemp, a variety of cannabis grown for its strong fibers used in textiles, bioplastics, and construction materials (Vergara et al., 2016; Romero et al., 2020). Industrially, cannabis is utilized for its seeds, which are a source of nutritious oil and protein, and for bioremediation purposes due to its ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil (Vergara et al., 2016; Adams et al., 2021).
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