A chromosome level reference genome of Diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum) provides insight into salvinorin A biosynthesis.
BMC plant biology October 1, 2024 Scott A Ford, Rob W Ness, Moonhyuk Kwon et al. 9 citations
Diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum) produces salvinorin A (SalA), a hallucinogen that activates the human κ-opioid receptor and may help treat chronic pain, addiction, and PTSD. Only two of the roughly twelve steps in SalA's biosynthesis were known. A high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly was produced, with an N50 of 41.4 Mb and 98.4% BUSCO completeness. The diploid genome is about 541 Mb. Two diterpene biosynthetic gene clusters were found, rich in new cytochrome P450s and crotonolide G synthase, which forms an early dihydrofuran ring. Other enzyme classes for later steps were scattered across the genome. Most candidate genes were not induced by methyl jasmonate. This genome enables discovery of the remaining SalA pathway steps.