Insights into angiosperm evolution and lineage-specialized lignan biosynthesis from the early-diverging <i>Schisandra</i> genome
Schisandraceae, an early-diverging angiosperm lineage, produces dibenzocyclooctadiene (DBCOD) lignans, unique bioactive compounds with liver-protecting properties. Although DBCOD lignan chemodiversity is well documented, their biosynthesis and evolution remain unclear. Here, we present a high-quality <i>Schisandra chinensis</i> genome, completing genomic representation of early angiosperms. Phylogenetic analysis confirms Austrobaileyales as sister to monocots, magnoliids, and eudicots, clarifying their evolutionary position. We identified an Austrobaileyales-specific whole-genome duplication postdiversification from Amborellales and Nymphaeales. Integrating coexpression networks and biochemical assays, we delineated five key steps in DBCOD lignan biosynthesis, including dimerization, hydroxylation, methylation, and C─C phenol coupling. Notably, we found SchCYP719G1b, a previously unidentified enzyme catalyzing C─C linkage to form the signature DBCOD scaffold. Substrate selectivity assays and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics calculations suggested that the <i>para</i>-hydroxyl diradical electronic properties preferentially drive selective C2─C2' coupling over alternative pathways. Our findings illuminate early angiosperm evolution and the molecular basis of specialized lignan diversity.
Authors
- Jun Ai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6650-3944)
- Bengang Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4121-4606)
- Rui Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7157-3805)
- Hongmei Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3403-7659)
- Dan Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2147-9308)
- Xueping Wei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7363-0973)
- Ruilin Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8364-7859)
- Tai‐Ping Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8330-8665)
- Jia‐Yu Xue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7128-9935)
- Wei Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5675-0466)
- Zhichao Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1753-5602)
- Ranran Gao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7164-0289)
- Jiushi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2678-6155)
- Binju Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3353-9411)
- Long Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5966-7163)
- Bin Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2387-8305)
- Shanshan Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9723-2403)
- Xiwen Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5092-854X)
- Xing Ye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3456-9839)
- Shuang Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2694-3923)
- Haitao Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4342-3938)
Institutions
- Nanjing Agricultural University (CN)
- Xiamen University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CN)
- Jilin Agricultural University (CN)
- Northeast Forestry University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Published
- 2025-08-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw0486
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Plant-derived Lignans Synthesis and Bioactivity
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81