Amla tree fruiting in Panna Tiger Reserve. Credit: A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF, CC-BY-SA-4.0
The sequenced genome of the amla, or Indian gooseberry, reveals adaptive evolution of genes related to biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, lignin and flavonoids1.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and flavonoids contribute to the plant’s super-antioxidant properties, says a team at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
Despite its importance in nutrition and pharmaceutics, the genome sequence of the amla has remained largely unknown.
When the scientists sequenced the amla genome and compared it with 26 other plant species, they identified 3,520 gene families which had expanded and 1,048 which had contracted. These families help the plant cope with different environmental conditions.
The expanded gene families are involved in synthesizing various secondary metabolites and pathogen resistance, indicating the evolution of stress tolerance genes.
The team homed in on 236 genes with multiple signatures of adaptive evolution (MSA) associated with plant growth, regulation of reactive oxygen species and abiotic stress response. The MSA genes also play a role in plant hormone synthesis and signalling processes.
Knowledge of the amla genome will help develop improved nutraceuticals, food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, the researchers say.
