{
  "abstract": "Deciphering the genomic and enzymatic features associated with high-abundance specialized metabolism is important for understanding and engineering bioactive natural product biosynthesis. Asperosaponin , a hederagenin-based saponin, accumulates at exceptionally high levels in Dipsacus asperoides roots and is by far the predominant triterpenoid saponin. Here, by integrating a chromosome-level genome assembly with comparative genomics, transcriptomics, metabolite profiling, and biochemical characterization, we reconstructed a major biosynthetic route to asperosaponin and identified diversification of triterpenoid-associated gene families. Functional analyses revealed an ordered glycosylation sequence in which DaUGT73GZ2 preferentially accepts C-3-glycosylated substrates retaining a free C-28 carboxyl group, thereby establishing a C-3-before-C-28 glycosylation order during asperosaponin biosynthesis. Phylogenetic and biochemical analyses further uncovered functional differentiation among UGT85CA enzymes involved in C-3 arabinosylation, while genomic and expression analyses revealed lineage-specific patterns of pathway gene duplication and transcriptional regulation. Together, these findings identify genomic, enzymatic, and transcriptional features associated with the distinctive, high-abundance triterpenoid saponin profile of D. asperoides roots and provide a framework for understanding and engineering triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Yunnan Agricultural University"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 15,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "R. Yang"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Fu"
    },
    {
      "name": "X. Zhao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Y. Zhao"
    },
    {
      "name": "W. Huang"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Xiang"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Xiong"
    },
    {
      "name": "Y. Wang"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Q. Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Yang"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. He"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Y. Liang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f9hbjncxw56np.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.11.03.763632",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.763632v1.full",
  "id": "f9hbjncxw56np",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.763632v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "genomics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.763632v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-03",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f9hbjncxw56np.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-06T00:22:14Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.11.03.763632",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.763632v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:genomics",
      "subfield": "genetics-genomics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Genome evolution and glycosyltransferase diversification shape asperosaponin biosynthesis in Dipsacus asperoides",
  "title_text": "Genome evolution and glycosyltransferase diversification shape asperosaponin biosynthesis in Dipsacus asperoides",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T00:20:59Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f9hbjncxw56np",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}