Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea

Tea is consumed worldwide due to its charming flavor and the refreshing effects conferred by caffeine. Caffeine however has undesirable side effects, such as sleep disturbance. Camellia ptilophylla is known for its low caffeine content, and the biosynthesis of purine alkaloids in this species has be...

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Main Authors: Chentao Ying, Jiawen Chen, Jiahao Chen, Peng Zheng, Caibi Zhou, Binmei Sun, Shaoqun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2023-01-01
Series:Beverage Plant Research
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Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/BPR-2023-0015
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author Chentao Ying
Jiawen Chen
Jiahao Chen
Peng Zheng
Caibi Zhou
Binmei Sun
Shaoqun Liu
author_facet Chentao Ying
Jiawen Chen
Jiahao Chen
Peng Zheng
Caibi Zhou
Binmei Sun
Shaoqun Liu
author_sort Chentao Ying
collection DOAJ
description Tea is consumed worldwide due to its charming flavor and the refreshing effects conferred by caffeine. Caffeine however has undesirable side effects, such as sleep disturbance. Camellia ptilophylla is known for its low caffeine content, and the biosynthesis of purine alkaloids in this species has become a hot topic. In this study, the accumulation of purine alkaloids in a natural C. ptilophylla population (32 plants) was analyzed, and the results showed that 81.25% of this population were caffeine-free, containing only theobromine (TB), while six plants contained both theobromine and caffeine (CAF). RNA-seq analysis of two C. ptilophylla plants with contrasting purine alkaloid contents (TB and CAF) revealed that xanthosine synthesis genes of the SAM cycle and AMP pathway were significantly related to the differential accumulation of purine alkaloids between TB and CAF. The high theobromine content in TB was attributed to the significantly higher expression of TCS-2, TCS-3 and MXMTs and downregulation of the xanthosine degradation pathway in comparison to CAF. Additionally, CsMYB184 was significantly upregulated in TB, opposing the expression pattern of TCS1, but consistent with that of other TCSs and MXMTs. Furthermore, the upregulated expression of catechin biosynthesis genes, F3'H, F3'5'H and SCPLs in TB corresponded to a higher gallocatechin gallate (GCG) content. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the accumulation of theobromine and GCG, which may facilitate the development of tea plant cultivars with low-caffeine or high GCG to meet the diverse demands of consumers.
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spelling doaj-art-30b0eb21e77042ffb41ce777be21bcba2025-08-20T02:27:12ZengMaximum Academic PressBeverage Plant Research2769-21082023-01-01311910.48130/BPR-2023-0015BPR-2023-0015Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich teaChentao Ying0Jiawen Chen1Jiahao Chen2Peng Zheng3Caibi Zhou4Binmei Sun5Shaoqun Liu6College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaTea is consumed worldwide due to its charming flavor and the refreshing effects conferred by caffeine. Caffeine however has undesirable side effects, such as sleep disturbance. Camellia ptilophylla is known for its low caffeine content, and the biosynthesis of purine alkaloids in this species has become a hot topic. In this study, the accumulation of purine alkaloids in a natural C. ptilophylla population (32 plants) was analyzed, and the results showed that 81.25% of this population were caffeine-free, containing only theobromine (TB), while six plants contained both theobromine and caffeine (CAF). RNA-seq analysis of two C. ptilophylla plants with contrasting purine alkaloid contents (TB and CAF) revealed that xanthosine synthesis genes of the SAM cycle and AMP pathway were significantly related to the differential accumulation of purine alkaloids between TB and CAF. The high theobromine content in TB was attributed to the significantly higher expression of TCS-2, TCS-3 and MXMTs and downregulation of the xanthosine degradation pathway in comparison to CAF. Additionally, CsMYB184 was significantly upregulated in TB, opposing the expression pattern of TCS1, but consistent with that of other TCSs and MXMTs. Furthermore, the upregulated expression of catechin biosynthesis genes, F3'H, F3'5'H and SCPLs in TB corresponded to a higher gallocatechin gallate (GCG) content. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the accumulation of theobromine and GCG, which may facilitate the development of tea plant cultivars with low-caffeine or high GCG to meet the diverse demands of consumers.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/BPR-2023-0015camellia ptilophyllatheobrominegallocatechin gallate
spellingShingle Chentao Ying
Jiawen Chen
Jiahao Chen
Peng Zheng
Caibi Zhou
Binmei Sun
Shaoqun Liu
Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
Beverage Plant Research
camellia ptilophylla
theobromine
gallocatechin gallate
title Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
title_full Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
title_fullStr Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
title_full_unstemmed Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
title_short Differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia ptilophylla, a natural theobromine-rich tea
title_sort differential accumulation mechanisms of purine alkaloids and catechins in camellia ptilophylla a natural theobromine rich tea
topic camellia ptilophylla
theobromine
gallocatechin gallate
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/BPR-2023-0015
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