Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Putative Genes Responsible for High Theacrine Content in Kucha (Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang)

The purine alkaloid theacrine, synthesized in a high amount Kucha (Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang), has shown multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-depression, dehydration and hypnotic activities. It is critical to better understand the theacrine metabolism at molecular level for future breeding programs. To identify putative genes involved biosynthesis, we carried out comparative transcriptome analysis between (Kucha-6 Kucha-11) conventional varieties (Yinghong 9 Qingxin 1). HPLC showed that more than 27-fold comparison varieties. A total of ~ 671.61 million quality clean reads were yielded, 71.42 76.87% these aligned reference genome each library. We identified 19,095 differentially expressed (DEGs) by pairwise approach, among which 1,142 common DEGs screened. Functional annotation allowed 20 oxidoreductase (OR) seven methyltransferase (MT) with enhanced expression Kucha, might be associated diversity examined materials. Particularly, two N-methyltransferase-encoding (TEA010054 TEA022559) may catalyze final methylation step during synthesis Kucha. information generated will helpful identifying candidate tea plant content.