Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 134-147 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 140 metabolomics has been used to profile bioactive compounds such as catechins, theaflavins, and amino acids, which are crucial for the sensory properties and health benefits of tea. By integrating these findings with transcriptomic data, researchers can link gene expression to metabolite production, allowing for targeted breeding strategies that enhance desirable traits in tea plants (Zhang et al., 2020). This integrative approach facilitates the development of tea varieties with improved flavor profiles and increased health benefits, meeting consumer demands and boosting market competitiveness (Yang et al., 2021). 5.2 Impact on tea breeding and genetic modification Omics technologies have revolutionized tea breeding by providing comprehensive insights into the genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying important agronomic traits. The integration of genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics has enabled the identification of molecular markers associated with yield, quality, and stress resistance, which can be used in marker-assisted selection and genomic selection strategies. This has led to the development of new tea varieties with enhanced traits, such as higher yield, improved flavor, and increased resistance to pests and diseases (Li et al., 2023). Additionally, the use of CRISPR-based genome editing informed by omics data has facilitated precise modifications in the tea genome, allowing for the introduction of beneficial traits while minimizing unwanted side effects (Pan and Barrangou, 2020). In the study by Li et al. (2023), metabolomics analysis revealed the biosynthetic pathways of tea-specific secondary metabolites such as catechins, caffeine, and theanine, which significantly influence the quality and yield of tea (Figure 3). Through metabolomic analysis, the research tracked and quantified the variations of these compounds under different growth conditions and genetic backgrounds, thereby guiding the varietal improvement of tea plants. The application of transcriptomics delved into the regulatory level of gene expression, studying the response mechanisms of tea plants under biotic and abiotic stresses. Through genome-wide association studies and differential gene expression research, scientists were able to identify key genes affecting the resistance, growth, and metabolism of tea plants, further advancing the molecular breeding of tea plants for disease resistance and quality traits. Figure 3 Diagram of genes and metabolite pathways associated with the major secondary metabolites of tea plants (Adopted from Li et al., 2023) Image caption: (A) Catechin biosynthetic pathway; (B) Theanine biosynthesis pathway; (C) Caffeine biosynthesis pathway (Adopted from Li et al., 2023)
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