Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 344-352 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 344 Review Article Open Access Synthesis and Regulation of Catechins in Tea Plants: A Research Review LianChen1, Guangman Xu2 1 Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: guangman.xu@cuixi.org Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0032 Received: 25 Oct., 2024 Accepted: 08 Dec., 2024 Published: 29 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Chen and Xu, 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 L., and Xu G.M., 2024, Synthesis and regulation of catechins in tea plants: a research review, Journal of Tea Science Research, 14(6): 344-352 (doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0032) Abstract Catechins are some of the major flavonoid components of Camellia sinensis that are responsible for the taste, astringency, and health-promoting properties of tea. These polyphenolic compounds not only play a role in many of the physiological processes of the plant but also exhibit significant pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective properties. Tea catechin biosynthesis is derived from phenylpropanoid metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, and is regulated by a complex network of structural genes, transcription factors (such as MYB, bHLH, and WD40), and epigenetic regulation. In recent years, with the development of multi-omics technology, the key genes, regulating factors, and metabolic fluxes have been discovered, improving the understanding of catechin accumulation mechanisms. Furthermore, the involvement of non-coding RNAs and epigenetic regulation reveals the multilayered regulatory nature of this metabolic pathway. In this review, the recent advances in research on catechin biosynthesis and regulation are summarized, covering transcriptional regulatory networks, epigenetic regulation, and multi-omics integration strategies. The future application potential of molecular breeding and gene editing technologies in the enhancement of catechin content and the development of high-quality and functional tea cultivars is also addressed. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the interpretation of the genetic mechanisms of secondary metabolism in tea plants and offers scientific guidance for the molecular design and precision breeding of functional tea cultivars. Keywords Catechins; Camellia sinensis; Flavonoid biosynthesis; Transcriptional regulation; Molecular breeding 1 Introduction Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, valued not only for its unique flavor and aroma but also for its notable health benefits. As a perennial evergreen shrub, tea has significant economic, cultural, and nutritional importance, especially in Asia and increasingly in global markets. Among the diverse bioactive compounds present in tea leaves, catechins—a subclass of flavonoids—are particularly important due to their roles in determining the sensory qualities of tea and contributing to its functional properties. Catechins influence key aspects of tea quality, such as astringency, bitterness, and color, and serve as key determinants of consumer preference. They also exhibit remarkable pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and cardioprotective activities (Xiang et al., 2021; Yu et al., 2021). These health-promoting properties have made catechins a focal point of research in plant science, nutrition, and pharmacology. The biosynthesis of catechins in tea plants originates from the phenylpropanoid pathway and its downstream flavonoid branches. This process is regulated by a complex network of structural genes, transcription factors such as MYB, bHLH, and WD40, and post-transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding this regulatory network is essential not only for elucidating the metabolic architecture of tea plants but also for facilitating genetic improvement through molecular breeding and biotechnology (Li et al., 2022; Zhao et al., 2023). The objective of the present review is to represent recent advancement in research in the field of catechin biosynthesis and regulation in tea plants in a systematic way. Major focus is given on the identification of crucial
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